Social Studies 9Name(s): ____________________________________

Exploration and Expansion – Early Explorer Discovery Project

Your task: to individually or with a partner, research an early explorer to ‘discover’ North America, and to creatively display your explorer’s journey.

Goals: To understand what life was like for an early explorer (life on a ship,

‘discovery’, journey across the ocean, etc.) Research, and extract essential information from reliable sources Use research to create a visual display of your explorer’s journey

Present your explorer in a creative format: (Choose from the following list, or speak with me to “okay” a different format)

3D map A series of letters A short film / skit PowerPoint / Prezi project Poster

Be sure to research: Who was your explorer? (Born, died, nationality, etc.) Where did they explore? (What country did they explore for?) Triumphs or disasters? (Was the exploration a success? Was it a disaster?)

Important Dates:Work Periods: ________________________________________________________

Project Due: ________________________________________________________

Project Assessment: Participation Self-Assessment / 4 Research / 12 Visual Presentation / 20 Reflection / 4 Total: / 40

Social Studies 9

Participation Self-Assessment Work Habit: Was I on task during class time?

Work Productivity: Was I productive during class time?

Work Period #1: _____________________________________________________________

Work Habit: 1 2 3 4 5Work Productivity: 1 2 3 4 5

Work Period #2: _____________________________________________________________

Work Habit: 1 2 3 4 5Work Productivity: 1 2 3 4 5

Work Period #3: _____________________________________________________________

Work Habit: 1 2 3 4 5Work Productivity: 1 2 3 4 5

Work Period #4: _____________________________________________________________

Work Habit: 1 2 3 4 5Work Productivity: 1 2 3 4 5

Research Completed*Ensure this booklet is submitted

Exemplary(12)

Accomplished(8)

Developing(4)

Beginning(0)

All Research is Complete

All aspects of this booklet are fully

completed

There are one or two aspects of this

booklet not fully completed

Many sections of this booklet are not completed

Almost all of this booklet is not completed, or,

the booklet was not submitted

2

1 = not yet within expectations

2 = minimally meets expectations

3 = adequately meets expectations

4 = fully meets expectations

5 = exceeds expectations

Social Studies 9

Step 1: Research

My Explorer: __________________________________________

Who was he? Write facts in bullet form. Keep your information brief. When and where was your explorer born?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What country did your explorer represent?

___________________________________________________________

Why is this explorer famous?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was your explorer hoping to find?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Include any interesting facts you find about your explorer. (There should be a minimum of 10 facts)

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Social Studies 9

4. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Triumphs and/or Disasters: For each of the questions below, write facts to support your answer in bullet form. There should be a minimum of 4 facts in total.

Was your explorer’s adventure(s) a success?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What did he discover?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Social Studies 9

Did your explorer experience any disasters or failures?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Map: While researching your explorer, find the route he took to make his journey. Where did your explorer start his voyage? (Where did he sail from?)

___________________________________________________________

Where did he sail? (Remember, your explorer may have been looking for a certain location but may have found something entirely different.)

___________________________________________________________

Know the places that are talked about during the journey (ex: left Azores – where are the Azores islands, and what country does it represent?)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Social Studies 9

Step 2: Visual PresentationPick one of the formats below to display your research

OR speak with me to “okay” a different format

3D Map Chart your explorer’s journey on a 3D map. Be sure to include all the key

information from your research stage (Step 1) by adding 3D visuals to your map Your map must include at least 10 facts / points about your explorer’s life and

journey Your map must also include a correct representation of your explorer’s journey,

with a key, and compass In addition to your 3D map, you will briefly describe your explorer’s life and

exploration to the class in an oral presentation

Series of Letters or Diary Entries Be sure to include all the key information from your research stage (Step 1) You must write a minimum of 4 diary entries / letters Each written piece must be a minimum of half a page long (single spaced) You must include at least 10 facts / points about your explorer’s life and journey In addition to the written portion you will read one letter / diary entry to the class

Short film / skit Be sure to include all the key information from your research stage (Step 1) In addition to your film / skit, you must also submit a script You must include at least 10 facts / points about your explorer’s life and journey Your skit must be between 3-5 minutes long, with at least 3 separate scenes You will present your skit / film to the class

PowerPoint / Prezi Be sure to include all the key information from your research stage (Step 1) Your PowerPoint / Prezi must include at least 10 facts / points about your

explorer’s life and journey In addition to your project, you will present your PowerPoint / Prezi to the class

Poster Be sure to include all the key information from your research (Step 1) You must use a variety of visuals (including hand-drawn, and maps) Your poster must include at least 10 facts / points about your explorer’s life and

journey In addition to your poster, you will briefly describe your explorer’s life and

exploration to the class in an oral presentation

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Social Studies 9

Step 3: Reflection

In a short paragraph, reflect on the process of researching an early explorer. Be sure to identify any struggles, successes, fun facts, or highlights of the project.

Reflection Rubric

Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning

ReflectionA thoughtful

reflection is given. Comprehensive answer is given

A reflection is given and a

thorough answer is given

A reflection is given. Some aspects are answered

No reflection is submitted

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