Find out more about why President Jefferson asked the Corps of
Discovery to travel to the West. Also, receive background information on the journey including maps and a timeline. Use the following links to complete your research.
Thomas Jefferson's Letter to Captain Meriwether Lewis
http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org/4_0_0/4_1_0_supportingdocs/4_1_8_1/read_L1_jefferson_inst.pdf
Interactive Map of Lewis and Clark's Expedition
http://mrnussbaum.com/lewis-clark/interactive/
Timeline of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/archive/idx_time.html
Once all of the resources have been reviewed, Answer the following questions:
1. In your own words, what are some of the items that President Jefferson provided to the Corps of Discovery for their journey? See paragraphs 1 & 2 in Jefferson's letter to Lewis.
2. In his letter to Meriwether Lewis, what are three of the notable objects that President Jefferson wishes the Corps of Discovery to record about the West? For each object listed, describe why you think President Jefferson would find these important. See paragraphs 5-10 in Jefferson's letter to Lewis.
3. After reading his letter, how do you think President Jefferson views the Native Americans that Lewis and Clark encounter on their journey? See paragraphs 9 & 13 in Jefferson's letter to Lewis.
4. What is the main purpose of the Corps of Discovery and the Lewis and Clark Expedition? See paragraph 5 in Jefferson's letter to Lewis.
5. What is the longest river in North America? Pick from the following: Mississippi River, Missouri River, James River, Columbia River.
6. Using the interactive map and/or the timeline, add new information to the map that you made in class. You should include drawings and writing to make your map reflect your growing knowledge of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. You should aim for at least 5 new additions to your map.
Day Two: The JourneyGeography of Expedition(Explore each of the links at http://www.lewis-clark.org/channel/57 to learn more about the geography of the land Lewis and Clark explored).
Knowledge of the West(Read all of the information on this website) http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/lc/lcmapping/
Maps of the West(Click on each link to see maps created by William Clark along the journey) http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/archive/idx_map.html
1. After reading about the land explored to the West by the Corps of Discovery, list three reasons westward expansion may prove to be difficult. Explain each of your choices.
2. Why do you think citizens of the United States would be more likely to travel West after the Lewis and Clark expedition?
3. What misconceptions about land did Lewis and Clark's mission help clear up? Discuss at least two.
4. Write a journal entry as if you are a member of the Corps of Discovery. In this entry, explain what you experienced (in terms of land) on the voyage to the Pacific. Use the resources provided, pictures, and your imagination to create this journal entry. Put this journal on the outside space of the map we made in class.
Day Three: The Plants and AnimalsList of Plants Discovered(Explore the list and see if any of these plants are familiar to you)
List of Animals Discovered(Explore the list and see if any of these animals are familiar to you)
Pictures of New Discoveries Sketched by Lewis(Review these sketches from journals of Lewis)
Journals of New Plant and Animal Discoveries at
http://www.lewis-clark.org/channel/60
(Read only the highlighted sections)
1. Why do you think it was important for the Corps of Discovery to list all of the new plants and animals they came into contact with as they traveled West?
2. Do you think it was beneficial to draw pictures of the new plants and animals? Why or why not?
3. Based on what you already learned about the land Lewis and Clark traveled on, why do you think so many new plant and animal species were discovered?
4. How many plant and animals were observed by the Corps of Discovery?
5. Complete one of the following:
A) Write a journal entry as if you are a member of the Corps of Discovery. In this entry, explain whether the new plant and animal species would prevent you from moving West, or make you more willing to along for the adventure. Be sure to think about the advantages and disadvantages of these new species. Does the good outweigh the bad, or not? Put this journal on the outside space of the map we made in class.
B) Research a combination of 10 new plants/animals found by Lewis and Clark. Put them on the map using a combination of writing and drawings. Include information about the plant/animal but also include basic information about the discovery itself
Day Four: The Native AmericansList of Indian Tribes Encountered(Briefly review the list of all of the Indian tribes encountered by the Corps of Discovery) http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/resources_discoveries_tribe.html
Meeting Native Americans(Read the introduction and then click on individual tribes to explore some of the Indian tribes that Lewis and Clark contacted on their expedition) http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/native/
Sacajaweahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnT0k9wdDZo (Watch this brief video on Sacajawea) Use headphones.
Involving Sacajawea in Journeyhttp://www.lewis-clark.org/channel/400?ChannelID=400 (Click "Eighteen-Four", then find the entry from November 5, 1804 titled "More About Sacajawea")
1. What did the Corps of Discovery do when they encountered new Native American tribes?
2. How would the Lewis and Clark expedition have been different if Sacagawea hadn't been there to guide and interpret throughout the journey?
3. How did the Lewis and Clark expedition impact relations with Native Americans?
4. Do one of the following:
A) Write a journal entry as if you are a member of the Corps of Discovery. In this entry, explain how you felt about moving west into unknown land knowing that you were going to encounter Native Americans. Write about at least 5 tribes that you met and what you discovered about them and how they helped/hindered the expedition. What precautions did you take to make sure they would accept you?
B) Research at least 5 new Native American tribes encountered by Lewis and Clark. Put them on the map using a combination of writing and drawings. Include information about the encounter and the tribe's culture/way of life.