Created byJacob Perloski
1 views0 downloads
Mapping Lewis and Clark's Route: A Modern Exploration
Grade 11Social Studies1 days
The "Mapping Lewis and Clark's Route: A Modern Exploration" project for 11th-grade social studies students involves creating a contemporary map of Lewis and Clark's expedition. Students engage with historical documents, virtual reality experiences, and modern mapping tools to understand the expedition's historical context, challenges, and cultural interactions. Through activities like crafting cultural interaction maps and digital route overlays, the project highlights Lewis and Clark's impact on American history and territorial expansion while developing students' research, mapping, and analytical skills.Lewis and ClarkMappingCultural InteractionsHistorical ContextModern CartographyExpedition ChallengesAmerican History
📝
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a modern map that accurately represents Lewis and Clark's journey, highlighting their challenges, cultural interactions, and the impact of their expedition on American history?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- Who were Lewis and Clark and what was their mission?
- What impact did Lewis and Clark's expedition have on American history and territory expansion?
- What challenges did Lewis and Clark encounter during their expedition and how did they overcome them?
- How can we interpret and represent historical routes using modern mapping techniques?
- How did geographical and cultural interactions play a role in Lewis and Clark's journey?
- In what ways have maps evolved since the time of Lewis and Clark?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the historical context and significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition, including its impact on American history and territorial expansion.
- Students will develop skills in map-making, including the ability to interpret historical routes and represent them using modern mapping techniques.
- Students will analyze primary and secondary sources related to the Lewis and Clark expedition to gain insights into historical events and cultural interactions.
- Students will evaluate the challenges faced by Lewis and Clark during their expedition and how those challenges were overcome.
- Students will explore the evolution of cartography from the time of Lewis and Clark to present day, understanding the advancements in mapping technologies.
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1
Primary
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.Reason: Students will analyze historical documents and logs from Lewis and Clark's journey to gather data for their modern map.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7
Primary
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to address a question or solve a problem.Reason: Students will integrate multiple sources, such as historical maps, journals, and digital resources, to create an accurate modern map.
C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards
D2.GEO.6.9-12
Secondary
Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions.Reason: Students will explore the cultural impacts of human settlements and interactions in Lewis and Clark’s journey, evaluating these in their mapping activity.
D2.HIS.1.9-12
Primary
Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts.Reason: The project requires students to analyze historical contexts of Lewis and Clark's expedition and represent these on a modern map.
D2.HIS.3.9-12
Secondary
Use questions generated about individuals and groups to assess how the significance of their actions changes over time and is shaped by the historical context.Reason: Essential questions guide students to explore Lewis and Clark's significance and historical impacts, which they will represent in their maps.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsVirtual Reality Expedition
Students don VR headsets to 'join' Lewis and Clark on their expedition, witnessing firsthand the challenges and discoveries along the way. As they explore the virtual journey, they gain insight into the terrain and the decisions made, sparking curiosity about the mapping process and its modern relevance.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Historical Context Explorer
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the expedition's historical background. They must evaluate how time, place, and broader historical contexts influenced Lewis and Clark's journey.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research the geopolitical and social climate of America during the early 1800s.
2. Investigate the purpose and outcomes of the Louisiana Purchase and its connection to the expedition.
3. Consider broader implications of the expedition on American history.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report or presentation detailing the historical context and its influence on the expedition.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.HIS.1.9-12 by evaluating historical events and contexts of the expedition.Activity 2
Cultural Connection Cartography
This activity focuses on examining the cultural interactions between Lewis and Clark and the Native American tribes they encountered. Students will analyze these interactions to understand their impact and representation in historical and modern maps.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research the various tribes encountered by Lewis and Clark along their route.
2. Examine primary and secondary sources, such as treaties, artifacts, and scholarly articles, that evidence these interactions.
3. Discuss the cultural exchanges and their significance in group discussions.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA cultural interaction map with annotations about each tribe's involvement and impact on the expedition.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.GEO.6.9-12 by evaluating cultural impacts and human settlement during the expedition.Activity 3
Modern Mapping Marvels
Students explore the evolution of mapping technology from the time of Lewis and Clark to the present day and learn to apply modern digital techniques to recreate the expedition's route.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research the historical cartography techniques used during Lewis and Clark's expedition.
2. Explore advancements in mapping technology and how they transform map-making today.
3. Use digital mapping tools to create an updated map that incorporates Lewis and Clark's route with current geographical data.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA digital map that overlays Lewis and Clark's route on a modern geographical map using current cartographic tools.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7 by integrating multiple sources to create modern representations of historical events.Activity 4
Challenges Over Time: A Historical Narrative
Students craft a narrative detailing the challenges faced by Lewis and Clark, drawing connections between historical adversities and their resolutions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Compile a list of challenges noted in historical documents and texts related to the expedition.
2. Analyze how these challenges were addressed and resolved by the expedition team.
3. Write a narrative explaining how overcoming these challenges contributed to the overall success of the expedition.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compelling narrative piece illustrating the perseverance and strategic problem-solving of the expedition.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.HIS.3.9-12 by using questions about Lewis and Clark to assess historical significance and context.Activity 5
Virtual Cartographer's Notebook
Students dive into historical data and primary sources to start crafting the story behind Lewis and Clark's journey through documents, logs, and journals. This helps students gain deeper insights and context for their mapping project.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Read and analyze selected entries from Lewis and Clark's journals focusing on their day-to-day observations and challenges.
2. Identify and highlight key events, geographical features, and cultural interactions documented in the logs.
3. Create a timeline of significant events during the expedition based on the journal entries.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline with notes highlighting key events, challenges, and cultural observations from the journals.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1 by analyzing historical documents to gather information.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLewis and Clark Expedition Mapping Project Rubric
Category 1
Historical Understanding
Assess proficiency in analyzing the historical context, events, challenges, and impacts of the Lewis and Clark expedition.Criterion 1
Contextual Analysis
Measures the ability to analyze the historical context of the expedition, understanding its significance and broader implications.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates an in-depth understanding of the expedition's historical context; analyzes broad and intricate implications with strong evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsShows a thorough understanding of the historical context; appropriately discusses implications with relevant evidence.
Developing
2 PointsDisplays a basic understanding of historical context; discusses some implications with limited evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents limited understanding of the expedition's historical context; minimal discussion of implications.
Criterion 2
Challenge and Resolution Analysis
Evaluates the student's ability to analyze challenges faced by the expedition and their resolutions, highlighting strategic decision-making.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive narrative of challenges and resolutions, showcasing strategic insights and historical significance.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes challenges and resolutions with clear understanding, providing relevant historical insights.
Developing
2 PointsAddresses some challenges and resolutions with partial insights into historical significance.
Beginning
1 PointsIdentifies limited challenges and resolutions, with minimal historical insight.
Category 2
Cultural Interaction Evaluation
Measures understanding and representation of interactions between Lewis and Clark and Native American tribes, assessing cultural impacts on the expedition.Criterion 1
Cultural Analysis
Assesses the student's ability to examine and evaluate cultural exchanges and their significance on the expedition.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoroughly analyzes cultural exchanges, demonstrating deep understanding and significance in maps.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear analysis of cultural exchanges with significant historical representations in maps.
Developing
2 PointsPresents basic analysis of cultural exchanges, with some representation in maps.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimal analysis of cultural exchanges and limited representation in maps.
Category 3
Mapping Proficiency
Assesses the ability to utilize modern mapping tools to recreate the Lewis and Clark route with current geographic data.Criterion 1
Digital Mapping Skills
Evaluates the student's proficiency in using digital tools to create an updated map of the expedition.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a detailed and accurate modern map incorporating Lewis and Clark's route with sophisticated tools.
Proficient
3 PointsProduces a clear, accurate map using digital tools with effective integration of historical routes.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates some ability in digital mapping but with inaccuracies in route representation.
Beginning
1 PointsProduces an incomplete or inaccurate map with limited use of digital tools.
Category 4
Research and Source Integration
Evaluates the quality of research and the integration of multiple sources in producing deliverables for the project.Criterion 1
Source Evaluation
Assesses the student's ability to integrate multiple diverse sources to support project conclusions and deliverables.
Exemplary
4 PointsIntegrates diverse sources seamlessly, providing a nuanced understanding and strong evidence base.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively uses multiple sources to support conclusions with relevant evidence and clarity.
Developing
2 PointsIncorporates some sources into analysis, though with limited diversity and depth.
Beginning
1 PointsUses few sources with minimal integration, leading to weak support for conclusions.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on how your understanding of Lewis and Clark's expedition evolved throughout this project. What were the key insights you gained about their journey and its impact on American history?
Text
Required
Question 2
On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about using modern mapping tools to represent historical routes?
Scale
Required
Question 3
Which aspect of the Lewis and Clark project was most challenging for you, and how did you overcome these challenges?
Text
Required
Question 4
Reflect on the cultural and geographical interactions you discovered while mapping Lewis and Clark's route. How did these interactions influence your perspective on the historical significance of their expedition?
Text
Required
Question 5
What new skills or knowledge do you feel you have developed as a result of this project?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Historical analysis
Cultural understanding
Map-making skills
Problem-solving
Digital literacy