age of exploration

Age of Exploration

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion Introduction:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel to somewhere no one has ever been before? Would you want to leave your home, family, and friends to explore the unknown? Where would you go? What would you look for? How about travelling back in time to learn about some people who left their homes to explore new lands and made some fascinating discoveries?

Task:
As a news reporter for Time Traveler Magazine, you have been given the assignment to travel back in time to research and report on the life of an explorer. You must write a biographical sketch (1and a half- two pages) informing your readers about what was so important about your explorer's life and why they should be interested in learning about him and his discoveries. As part of your assignment, you must either interview or reinact a significant event in your explorer's life.

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Process:

Choose an explorer with your group
Using the sourcs available, as well as any others you might know of, research facts and information about your explorer's life and discoveries(significant events/contributions).
After collecting your information, write an outline for your biographical sketch and hand it in for approval
Once approved by your teacher, begin writing the first draft of your Biographical Sketch
Hand in a copy of your first draft for approval
After completing your final draft, begin typing your sketch on Word Perfect- Be sure to check all spelling and grammar!
Using the points from your paper, prepare a 5- 10 minutepresentation portraying a significant event in your explorer's life. You have a choice of either two: (1)performing a mock interview with your explorer highlighting major events and interesting facts about your explorer or (2) a reinactment of a significant event in the life of your explorer.(ex/ making his discovery). You can videotape your interview/ skit ahead of time if you choose.

Choice #1- Mock Interview

Must include at least three facts emphasizing his major contributions/ significant event in your explorer's life(ex/____discovered____).
Must include at least one fact that the audience would find interesting or surprising about your explorer (ex/_____favorite food/ pastime was______).
If possible, include a quote from your explorer.

Choice #2- Reinactment

Must be based on a factual event in your explorer's life.
Dialogue for the skit must be creative- Remember, you must captivate and entertain your audience!
If possible, include a quote from your explorer.

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Resources:

Leif Ericson Voyages and Info. More Info. From the Encyclopedia	Christopher Columbus Voyages Map of Voyages	Ferdinand Magellan Voyages Map of Voyage More Info.
Sir Francis Drake Map of Voyage Voyages and Info. More Info.	James Cook Quote and Info. Voyages and More Info.	Henry Hudson Voyages and Info. More Info. Even More Info.
Amerigo Vespucci Voyages and More Info. From the Encyclopedia	Marco Polo Map of Voyage Links to more info. More Info.	Vasco DaGama Voyage Info. Map of Voyage More Info.

Additional Internet Resources

Age of Exploration - Includes a summary about the age of exploration with links to info. about several explorers
Mariner Organization - Menu with links to informationabout explorers
About the Spice Trade - All about the Spice Trade and the Age of Exploration
More Viking Links - Links to resources about Leif Ericson and the Vikings
More Columbus Links - Links to resources about Christopher Columbus and his Voyages
More Cook Links - Links to resources about Cook and his Voyages
More Hudson Links - Links to resources about Henry Hudson and his Voyages
More Da Gama Links - Links to resources about Vasco Da Gama and his Voyages
More Vespucci Links - Another Site about Amerigo Vespucci
More Drake Links - Another Site about Sir Francis Drake
More Polo Links - Another Site about Marco Polo
More Magellan Links - Another Site About Ferdinand Magellan
An Encyclopedia Link -An Online Encyclopedia Resource

Additional Classroom Resources

Forgotten Explorer: The Story of Amerigo Vespucci by Anne Fitzpatrick Alper
Christopher Columbus by Steven Kronsky and Norman Green
Meet Christopher Columbus by Random House Inc.
The Viking Explorers by Rebecca Staoff and William Goetzman
Eric the Red: The Viking Adventurer by Neil Grant and Victor Ambrus
Marco Polo: A Journey Through China by Mac Donald
Marco Polo by Charles Parlin Graves and Raymond Keane
Marco Polo: Traveler to Central and Eastern Asia by Zachary Kent
Magellan: A Voyage Around the World by Fiona Mac Donald and Mark Bergin
Magellan and Da Gama: To the Far East and Beyond bt Clint Twist
Vasco Da Gama and the Portugese Explorers by Rebecca Staoff and William H. Goetzman
Captain Cook: The Great Ocean Explorer by Charles Parlin Graves
The Sea King: Sir Francis Drake and His Times by Albert Marvin
Henry Hudson by Ruth W. Harley and William Tunay
National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers by National Geographic Society
An Eyewitness Book: Explorer by Robert O. Matthews and Jim Stevenson
Around the World in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan by Jean Fritz and Anthony B. Venti
Questions and Answers About Explorers by Christopher Maynard

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Evaluation:
    This assignment is worth 100 points:
    60 pts-    Biographical Sketch- Type written paper
    40 pts.-    Presentation- Mock Interview/Reinactment

    Allocation of Points:
Biographical Sketch
    25 pts.- At least 5 facts about your explorer's life and discoveries
    15 pts.- Emphasis on a significant event/discovery in his life
    10 pts.- A quote, map of voyage(s), picture other than the one provided
    10 pts.- Spelling, Grammar, and Bibliography
Presentation
    20 pts.- Creativity and Originality of the dialogue for the interview/skit
    10 pts.- Inclusion of facts/ factual information
    10 pts.- Props/ Costumes

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have just travelled back in time and researched the life of a famous explorer. Would you want to become an explorer of our time- an astronaut perhaps and explore planets in Space? Or perhaps you might want to become a historian- someone who researches people and events from the past and reports on them?