Introduction

In 1803, Congress provided money for a group of explorers to investigate the lands obtained in the Louisiana Purchase. The ultimate goal was to seek over land and water a route to the Pacific Ocean. President Thomas Jefferson chose his secretary, Merriwether Lewis, to lead this expedition. Lewis picked William Clark, another Virginian, as his co-leader. Together, along with about 50 men, Lewis and Clark set off on their journey of discovery.

Jefferson gave Lewis and Clark specific tasks to be accomplished on their journey. They were to map their route to the Pacific Ocean. He also told them to study the climate, wildlife, and mineral resources of the new lands.

Jefferson also instructed Lewis and Clark to learn about the Indian nations who lived in the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson hoped that the Indians might trade with American Merchants. Therefore, he urged Lewis and Clark to tell the Indians of “our wish to be neighborly, friendly, and useful to them.”

An important addition to the expedition was the Shoshoni woman, Sacajawea, whose presence ultimately proved to be a brilliant stroke of luck. It is generally recognized that as a guide, her presence was invaluable. The harmony that established between the group and the Shoshoni people and within the party itself is well noted. Her contributions to the collection of scientific information and her insight were also extremely invaluable.

From the above, you can see that acquiring information can be a challenging endeavor. It is a road filled with frustration and shows, at the same shows science as human and therefore worth the struggle.

Task

Connections to the Curriculum:

Geography, history, science, math, language arts, fine arts, and technology

The Students will;

1.) Geographically chart the route traveled by Lewis and Clark

2.) Understand the important role that Sacajawea played in the overall success of the expedition.

3.) Recognize the contributions of the Lewis and Clark expedition as applied to the various disciplines; geography, botany, zoology, archaeology, anthropology, and history.

4.) Develop an appreciation for recognizing the difficulties encountered on the journey.

Using the PPA website, decide which product you will complete based on the choices in the task.

• Define the social problem using worksheet one.
• Gather evidence using worksheet two.
• Determine the causes and factors using worksheet three.
• Evaluate the policy using worksheet four.
• Comparative analysis using worksheet five.

Process

After viewing the PBS documentary on the journey of Lewis and Clark, visit the following website and complete the task.

http://www.42explore2.com/lewisclark.htm

After visiting several of the websites, complete two or more of the following projects.

Compare and contrast Lewis and Clark: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark served as co-leaders of the expedition. At Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, and other sites, look for information about their personal attributes, skills and abilities. Compare and contrast these two men by identifying their unique contributions to the expedition. What were their weaknesses? What characteristics contributed to the success of their shared leadership of the expedition? (Extra create a character sketch for Sacajawea)

The Name Game: Using the Journal excerpts found at Lewis and Clark: The Journey Corps of Discovery and other sites identify at least 20 discoveries made by the expedition; what new plants and animals were identified, and what new place names were given to geographical locations? Create an illustrated chart that shows all the knowledge gained from the journey. Finish up by writing a 1 page typed fictional journal that describes your discoveries.

Plan a New Expedition: Think of a distant location that you would like to explore, a place that you have never visited. Now plan an expedition that would take you there and back. What type of people, equipment, and supplies would you need to take along? How much time would be needed? What information would you collect? Finish up by writing a 1 page typed fictional journal that describes your journey.

Create a Diorama: Build a diorama that depicts a moment in the Lewis and Clark journey. It should show the landscape (rocks, twig “trees”), people, wildlife (toy animals or animal crackers, and fish), and mode of transportation (canoe, horses). Display a variety of people and geographic features. Finish up by writing a 1 page typed report that describes the accomplishments of the expedition.

Retrace the Expedition: As the 200^th Anniversary of the Lewis and Clark recently passed, plan a modern day trek that follows as closely as possible the original route. Start by visiting Lewis and Cark National Historic Trail. Then decide how many people you would need? Select the node(s) of transportation, identify all the supplies you will need, map out the route you will take, list your itinerary, complete a calendar schedule, and estimate the total cost. Finish up by writing a 1 page typed fictional journal that describes your journey.

Resources

http://www.42explore2.com/lewisclark.htm

Evaluation

	Not Acceptable 1	Needs Improvement 2	Good Work 3	Exemplary Work 4	Score
Project Construction	Information is not displayed	Information is displayed in a confusing manner.	Information is displayed accurately	Information is displayed accurately and is easily interpreted.
Project Neatness	Project is messy looking.	Project is fairly neat	Project is neat.	Project is exceptionally neat and visually stimulating.
Project Organization	Project is missing two or more of the components	Project is missing two of the components.	Project is missing one of the components.	Project clearly shows all components listed in the activity prompt.
Individual Goal	You did not complete the project.	You were off task often.	You attempted to be on task, but needed to be more focused and less distracted.	You were on task and focused.
Punctuality: Submitting the Pamphlet on time	Pamphlet submitted more than 1 school day late	Pamphlet submitted 1 day late.	Pamphlet submitted after class, but before end of the day	Pamphlet submitted at beginning of class

You can receive a maximum of 120 points.

A 108 - 120 points D 70 – 81 points

B 95 – 107 points F 69 points or fewer

C 82 – 94 points

Total Score: __________________

Conclusion

This project will be used as a culminating activity. After studying the route that Lewis and Clark took to the on their Journey of Discovery, students will present their findings to the class.

Connections to the New York Social Studies Standards.

NYSED Social Studies Standard:

Standard 1 – History of the United States and New York

Students will use a variety of skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Standard 3 – Geography

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the geography of the interdependent world in which we live-local, national, and global – including the distribution of peoples, places, and environments over the Earth’s surface.