Discoverers and Explorers E-Book
We are going to view our part of the world from two perspectives: that of the indigenous people of South and North America and the Europeans who wanted to win it over. We will take several weeks to explore these two sites and the people behind the events.
The Cultures and History of the Americas
Next we will launch our own discovery by learning about the Silk Road and the trade that took place, between European and Asian merchants. What was life on earth like during these times? We will also talk more about the Norsemen, Erik the Red and his son, Leif Ericson c. 970 – c. 1020, who were exploring approx. 500 years before other European explorers. We will learn about the “Saga of the Icelanders”. What were the peoples of the globe doing?
Eventually Europe will find it important to look for a “Northwest Passage” to Asia, which eventually became the routes in which European’s would come to North and South America.
We will try to understand why. We will wrap up by discussing the Age of Discovery, or Age of Exploration as it is sometimes called, and try to understand what made it so important for Spain, England, and France to conquer new lands, people, and or products. This period of time began around the 15th century and lasted until the 19th century.
Below are some goodies to enjoy over the next few weeks. It’s rather like being able to see the end of the book before reading the beginning. There will be lots of interesting stories to read and histories to trace – complete with Pirates, Kings, Queens, and Explorers! At the end, you will begin to understand why the United States of America is made up of such diverse peoples from all around the globe.
Below is an excellent book written for children, in 1900, by EDWARD R. SHAW, Dean of the School of Pedagogy, New York University. After it, you will find a new video about Marco Polo and a pdf file of images and maps that you can print and add to your time-line books. The last page of the pdf file contains a few links to websites where you can learn more about exploration.
Discoverers & Explorers
By Edward S. Shaw
Edit & Presentation by BrandenburgStudies
Marco Polo
Here are the timeline images and maps for you to place.
Parents/Teachers: For more study guides, many which are free, visit Currclick.com
