Dianne Furnival
Grade 5
Lewis and Clark
Learning Objectives
Thomas Jefferson dreamed of sending explorers across North American. Most of
the population lived within 50 miles of the Atlantic Ocean and knowledge of the Western
part of the United States was limited. The hope to establish trade with the Native
American people of the West and find a water route to the Pacific. The prospect to learn
about the geography of the West, the lives and languages of the Native Americans, the
plants and animals, the soil, the rocks, the weather, and how it may be different from that
of the East was the hope of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Students will:
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Develop creative and descriptive writing skills to communicate to others.
Compare and contrast past and modern maps of North America
Study the expeditions route: identifying places visited, and noting changes
between the similarities of the past and modern day maps.
Estimate the time needed to complete the expedition.
Estimate the number and types of supplies that would be needed for the
expedition.
Pennsylvania Teaching Standards
Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing
1.4.5.B. Write multi-paragraph informational pieces (e.g., essays, descriptions, letters,
reports, instructions).
1.5.5.B. Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.6.5.C. Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.
1.6.5.D. Contribute to discussions.
1.6.5.E. Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.
History
8.1.6.B. Explain and analyze historical sources.
8.1.6.D. Describe and explain historical research.
United States History
8.3.6.A. Identify and explain the political and cultural contributions of individuals and
groups to United States history from Beginning to 1824.
Materials
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Journals
Photo’s of Lewis and Clark expedition
Map of Lewis and Clark expedition
Modern day map
Map activity worksheet
Lewis and Clark expedition timeline
List of supplies of Lewis and Clark expedition
Teaching Strategy
1. Students will meet with their cooperative groups; each group will receive five
photos of Lewis and Clark encounters during their expedition.
 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a20483
 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a52130
 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a19565
 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a50691
 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b08484
Students will answer the following questions in their journals while observing the
photos.
1. Describe what you see in the photo? “ I see…”
2. What conditions did they encounter?
3. What conflicts did they encounter?
4. Describe your personal opinions and feelings to the photo “ It makes me…”
5. What prior knowledge do you have of the photo?
One student from each group will share and discuss their observations with the
class.
2. Ask students to closely compare the map of Lewis and Clark expedition to the
modern day map and answer questions on activity worksheet at
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4126s.ct000763
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gov.gmd/g4127.ct000152
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/01/west/mapanalysis.pdf.
3. Have students identify and label all major points of interest on the modern day
map to that of Lewis and Clark Expedition map.
4. When students are finished detailing their map they will write an article that
describes the differences between the past and now in their journals.
5. In their journal, students will estimate a time line on how long it would have taken
Lewis and Clark Expedition.
6. Once students have completed their estimation, they will examine on National
Geographic.com for Lewis and Clark Expedition Time Line
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/resources_timeline_1805.html
Students will compare the actual time to their estimated time line and write a
descriptive paragraph in their journals regarding their findings.
7. Students will meet in their cooperative groups and compile a list of supplies that
Lewis and Clark would have needed on their expedition. Students will categorize
their list by: transportation, camping supplies, clothing, medicine, arms,
mathematical instruments and presents for Indian tribes encounter. Students will
need to consider the length traveled, time frame, weather conditions, and terrain.
8. One person from each group will research the list of supplies that Lewis and Clark
needed for their Expedition at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisand
clark/resources.html Students will compare their compiled list with the actual
supplies that Lewis and Clark took on their expedition.
Work Cited
Cantarella, Donna. Misuta, Mary Alice.” Journey West” The Learning Page-Lesson
Plans. 15 Oct. 2003.The Library of Congress.
10 Mar. 2007.http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/01/west/lessons.html
Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1814. A map of Lewis and Clark’s track across
the western portion of North America, from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean:
by order of the executive of the United States in 1804, 5 & 6 / copied by Samuel
Lewis from the original drawing of Wm. Clark; Neele, sculp. Library of Congress
Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. American
Memory. Library of Congress. 24 Mar.2008.
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4126s.ct000763
Saindon, Robert A. Lewis and Clark in the Rocky Mountains /research and design by
Robert A. Saindon. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division
Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. American Memory. Library of Congress.
24 Mar. 2008. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4127l.ctct000152
Carey, Matthew. Captain Clark and his men building a line of huts. 1810.
Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. American Memory.
Library of Congress. 25 Mar.2008. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a20483
Carey, Matthew. A canoe striking on a tree. 1810. Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
20540 USA. American Memory. Library of Congress. 25 Mar.2008.
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a52130
Lewis and Clark at the mouth of the Columbia River. 1805. Library of Congress Prints
and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. American Memory.
Library of Congress. 25 Mar.2008. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a50691
Carey, Matthew. Captain Lewis & Clark holding a council with the Indians. 1810.
Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. American Memory. Library of
Congress. 25 Mar.2008. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a19565
Message from the President of the United States communicating discoveries made by
...Captains Lewis & Clark...Feb. 19, 1806. Library of Congress Prints and
Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. American Memory.
Library of Congress. 25 Mar.2008. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b08484