Explorers of the New World
A pathfinder for 5th Grade Social Studies
Heritage Christian School
An explorer is someone who travels in search of knowledge and information about other places. During the 15th century many sailors from European countries began traveling the oceans in search of new trade routes and new lands.
Good explorers always use tools to help them navigate on their journeys. This page is your navigation tool for locating good resources as you learn about famous explorers of the golden age of exploration.
Keywords BooksDatabases Internet Sites
Keywords to use while searching:
Discovery and Exploration (Use as a subject to find books)
Exploration (Works well in database encyclopedias)
Explorers
North America -- Discovery and Exploration
South America -- Discovery and Exploration
Name of your explorer
Books
Available in the Heritage School Library
Explorers & Discoverers: from Alexander the Great to Sally Ride: 4 volumes
by Saari, Peggy.New York : UXL, c1995.
Call Number: REF 910.9Saa
This is a subject encyclopedia. All of the articles are about people who have made important discoveries or have been explorers. It is a great place to begin your research.
The discovery of the Americas
by Maestro, Betsy. - HarperCollins, 1992, c1991
Call Number 917.04 Mae
Exploration and Conquest: the Americas after Columbus, 1500-1620
by Maestro, Betsy. - HarperCollins, c1994.
Call Number: 970.01 Mae
The Spanish exploration of South America
by McKain, Mark. - Mason Crest Publishers, c2003.
Call Number: 970.01 McK
The European rediscovery of America
by Wittmann, Kelly. - Mason Crest, c2003.
Call Number: 970.01 Wit
Henry Hudson : ill-fated explorer of North America's coast
by Saffer, BarbaraPhiladelphia : Chelsea House, c2002.
Call Number: B Hudson
Sir Francis Drake and the foundation of a world empire
by Gallagher, Jim, 1969- Philadelphia : Chelsea House Publishers, c2001.
Call Number: BDrake
Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese Explorers
by Stefoff, Rebecca, 1951-New York : Chelsea House Publishers, c1993.
Call Number: 910.9 Ste
Many more books are available through IMCPL.
Search the IMCPL Online Catalog using keywords.
If you find a book you would like to use, click Make Request. Enter your library card number and your PIN. Be sure the delivery location is Heritage then click the request button. You should receive a “Your request has been successfully placed” message. Books usually arrive at school within 3-5 days.
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Online Databases– Search by name of explorer or keywords
iLibrary Databases:Use your library card number & PIN to log in and then choose one of the following databases out of the alphabetical list.
Grolier New Book of Knowledge – Type “exploration” in the search box to find an article called Exploration and Discovery. Use the Table of Contents to find information about the time, place or person you are researching. You can also search by your explorer’s name.
Student Resource Center – Do a person search using the last name of your explorer. (For a few explorers you will need to also include their first name) Look for a UXL biography in the results.
SIRS Discoverer – Type your explorer’s name into the main search box to find articles about him and his discoveries.
Heritage database opened from HCS Library page:
World Book Online(User name & password are on p.22 of your agenda)
This is great source for finding maps of your explorer’s travels! Search by typing your explorer’s last name in the search box.
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Internet Sites
Voyage of Exploration: Discovering New Horizons
This wonderful site was constructed by students! Choose Explorer’s Database to find a list of explorers alphabetized by their first names.Timeline of Explorers compares when the voyages of various explorers occurred. Click on the boxes along the timeline for more information. You can even vote for a favorite explorer.
Age of Explorationfrom the Mariner’s Museum
From the lower right corner choose biographies, and then scroll down the alphabetical list to find your explorer’s name. Or select timeline to find a voyage by the year. This site has a dozen activities that will help you think about what it was like to be a sailor on a long voyage.
Explorersfrom 42Explore
The main page helps to explain what it means to be an explorer and lists 4 websites to explore. Use Explorers A to Z to find more info on the explorer about whom you are reporting.
Discoverers Web
You can scroll down to choose the geographic area explored or click on alphabetical list from the choices at the top of the page. Then select the first letter of your explorer’s last name and scroll down to find him. Do some exploring of your own in this huge site, like finding a list of explorers who died during their voyages.
Who Goes There: European Exploration of the New World
Would you like to know the reasons why explorers set off on such dangerous expeditions? Click on Why Explorers Explored the World.
You can find specific explorers by the country for which they went exploring. Or go to the timeline to find your explorer.
Europrean Explorers
Explorers are categorized by countries. Clicking on a name takes you to a page of links to other sites with articles about the person.
Spanish Exploration and Conquest of Native America
This site focuses mostly on De Soto, Coronado and De Vaca and their desire to conquer both land and peoples.
Explorers Hall of Fame
Look through the pictures to find your explorer and click on his name. These short articles provide helpful information.
Zoom Explorersat Enchanted Learning
This site has 3 different ways to find information about explorers:
-Alphabetically by last name
-By the region discovered or explored
-By the time period when the explorer lived
This is another good source for finding maps. Some information is available to anyone; some articles can not be opened unless you are a paid subscriber.
Resources on sailing, navigation and life at sea
Exploration through the Agesfrom The Mariner’s Museum
Choose ships, tools of navigation or life at sea to learn more about those topics for your journal entries.
Latitude: The Art & Science of 15th Century Navigation
Learn about sailing and navigation during the age of exploration, particularly in the South Atlantic.
History of Ships Information on different types of ships from the age of exploration.
The Art of Navigation Learn the techniques used by sailors centuries ago.
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Pictures of Explorers
Additional Activities
Take an online explorer quiz to test your knowledge.
Choose a word search about explorers, places or words associated with exploration.
Create your own “help wanted” ad for an explorer. List 5 important traits or characteristics needed to be “hired” as an explorer. Tell about “job” responsibilities for the position. How will the explorer be paid? How long will the job last?
Write a week long diary as if you were a sailor working under the explorer you studied.
Make a campaign poster for who you think should be elected as the most important explorer of the New World.
Congratulations on successfully completing your voyage of discovery about an explorer from the Age of Exploration! I hope this navigation tool was valuable to you as you set sail across a vast sea of information and that you arrived safely at your destination of new knowledge. I look forward to being your guide again for other research adventures.
Teacher Resources:
Lesson planning ideas on explorers from Education World
Resources and ideas for an explorer unit
Compiled by Miss Janice Houghton in June 2007