Name
Date
Core
Corps of Discovery Journal
On February 28, 1803, President
Thomas Jefferson won approval from
Congress for a visionary project, an
endeavor that would become one of
America’s greatest stories of
adventure.
Twenty-five hundred dollars were
appropriated to fund a small
expeditionary group which Jefferson
called the Corps of Discovery.
William Clark
Meriwether Lewis
Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and 31 other persons comprised the “Permanent Party” of
the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. All of the men were hand-picked; the two officers for their
leadership abilities, and their detachment for frontier, hunting, woodcutting, specialized craftsmanship,
and interpreting skills.
For this project, you will pretend to be a member of the Corps of Discovery and will create an imaginary
journal documenting your participation. Journal entries should be written in the first person. You are
writing about your experiences, feelings, knowledge, and discoveries as you journey for the “northwest
passage.” Each entry should be signed at the end and include the month, day, and year it was made.
Entry No. 1 – Lewis & Clark
Entry No. 2 –Transportation
 1803, St. Louis
 1804
 Describe Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
 The Corps of Discovery would use two
different kinds of boats.
 Why would Jefferson choose them?
 What qualities do they possess that would lead
you to believe the expedition will be
successful?
 2 paragraphs minimum
 Make a sketch of each type of boat – the
pirogue and the keelboat.
 Provide details on the size of each boat and
what each boat was to be used for on the
expedition.
Historical Note: You have been chosen to join Lewis and
Clark and are now learning about the leaders of the
expedition. Focus on what experiences and qualities
will or will not make them good leaders.
Textbook: Chapter 8, Section 2 (pages 272-277)
State Standards: 8.1.11, 8.1.5, 8.1.30, 8.32., 8.3.5, 8.3.9, 8.4.6
Language Arts: 8.3.4, 8.3.7, 8.4.1, 8.4.4, 8.4.7-9, 8.5.1, 8.5.2, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, 8.5.7
Entry No. 3 – Sacajawea
Entry No. 4 – Native Americans
 1804-1805
 1805
 Who was Sacajawea? What was her role?
Why would Lewis and Clark add a woman to
their expedition?
 Choose one Native American tribe met by
Lewis and Clark on the expedition. Describe
the tribe.
 Describe the advantages she brought and list
at least three contributions she made to the
expedition.
 Describe the meeting ritual developed by
Lewis and Clark. What type of gifts did Lewis
and Clark present? Why was it important for
them to establish trade with the Native
Americans?
 2 paragraphs
EXTRA CREDIT: Include a sketch of Sacajawea as a
part of your journal entry.
Entry No. 5 – Flora/Plants
 1 paragraph minimum
Entry No. 6 – Fauna/Animals
 1805
 1805
 Sketch two plants or vegetation discovered by
Lewis and Clark.
 President Jefferson’s had an interest in
learning about the new animals that were
discovered by the Corps members. (He
required each species be measured, their
descriptions and habitats noted, and that
specimen’s be sent to his home.)
 The science of taxonomy groups organisms
into five kingdoms: plant, animal, fungi,
monera and protist. Linnaus used a method
called bi-nomenclature meaning “two names,”
referring the organism's genus and species.
This science was used by the members of the
Corps of Discovery. Be sure you include the
plant’s common name and its scientific name.
EXTRA CREDIT: Include a specimen of pressed leaves
or flowers in your journal.
Entry No. 7 – Technological Advances
 Include the common and scientific names and
sketches of two animals discovered.
EXTRA CREDIT: Include a “specimen box” with a
stuffed animal head, fish bones glued to paper, or bird
feathers coated in varnish as specimens with your
journal.
Entry No. 8 – Map of Your Journey
 1806
 1806
 The Corps of Discovery had access to the best
technology of the time, including: the
magnetic compass, magnifying glass, air rifle,
telescope, swivel cannon, and Dr. Rush’s Pills.
 Create a map; color and label the US and its
territories at the time of the Louisiana
Purchase, as well as the Louisiana Territory,
Oregon Territory, and Spanish Territory.
 Choose two from the list above in addition to
Dr. Rush’s Pills and explain how the
technological or scientific advance contributed
to the success of the mission.
 Label the Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia
Rivers.
 Label the Rocky Mountains.
 Show the route the Corps of Discovery
traveled; mark the starting and ending points.
 Create a complete and accurate map key.
Textbook: Chapter 8, Section 2 (pages 272-277)
State Standards: 8.1.11, 8.1.5, 8.1.30, 8.32., 8.3.5, 8.3.9, 8.4.6
Language Arts: 8.3.4, 8.3.7, 8.4.1, 8.4.4, 8.4.7-9, 8.5.1, 8.5.2, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, 8.5.7
Final Product Requirements – Make sure you read this before you turn it in!
Your finished product should:

Be written in the first person. (You may choose to include phonetic spelling and dialect.)

Be handwritten and hand-sketched. (Sorry, no computer generated materials.)

Have each entry titled appropriately and organized in chronological order with the date (month, day, and
year).

Be submitted as time period appropriate, bound or boxed, and creative.
o
Use grocery sacks for journaling paper
o
Dye the pages of your journal in tea
o
Use twine
o
Wrap your journal in faux-leather or animal skin
Do your personal best, and as always, extra credit equals extra work.
This project is due
Textbook: Chapter 8, Section 2 (pages 272-277)
State Standards: 8.1.11, 8.1.5, 8.1.30, 8.32., 8.3.5, 8.3.9, 8.4.6
Language Arts: 8.3.4, 8.3.7, 8.4.1, 8.4.4, 8.4.7-9, 8.5.1, 8.5.2, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, 8.5.7
.