The Age of Exploration

Introduction

    This Webquest will be used to gather information on The Age of Exploration. Through this Webquest you will learn about the reasons for European exploration during the 15th-16th centuries. This information will help you to have a greater understanding of general world history including European Imperialism, the formation of Latin America, and the formation of the American Colonies. This in turn will set the stage for our upcoming units in world history.

Task

      As students it is your job to explore the websites provided in the “process” section in order to gather all the necessary information needed to complete your Exploration Worksheet and Exploration Project. Your Exploration Worksheet will act as a guide for the webquest so it is important that you follow its instructions carefully. Be sure to follow the instructions for your assigned group!

Process
  1. Break into your groups assigned by your teacher
  2. Use this site to find the answer to question 1 on your worksheet: http://geography.about.com/od/historyofgeography/a/ageexploration.htm
  3. Use this site to find the answer to questions 2 and 3 on your worksheet: http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus
  4. Use this site to find the answer to questions 4 and 5 on your worksheet. Make sure to watch the video: http://www.biography.com/people/vasco-da-gama-9305736
  5. Use this site to find the answer to questions 6 and 7 on your worksheet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cortes_hernan.shtml
  6. Use this site to find the answer to questions 8 and 9 on your worksheet: http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/ferdinand-magellan
  7. Answer question 10 on your worksheet using the information you’ve gathered from the previous websites
  8. With your group, choose one of the major explorers that you researched through this webquest to do your project on
  9. Complete your write-up portion of your Exploration Project
  10. Create you Poster for your Exploration Project
  11. Present your projects as a class

Columbus didn't know he was heading for America when he set sail in 1492.

European Exploration

Group A:

Questions:

  1. Explain in detail the major reasons for exploration.
  2. Explain who Columbus was.
  3. Explain what Columbus did and what impact this had.
  4. Explain who Vasco De Gama was.
  5. Explain what De Gama did and what impact this had.
  6. Explain who Cortes was.
  7. Explain what Cortes did and what impact this had.
  8. Explain who Magellan was.
  9. Explain what Magellan did and what impact this had
  10. Explain in detail 3 major impacts of European exploration.

Written Portion of Project;

  • Using an open response format, explain in detail the motivation behind European Exploration. Be sure to use specific examples
  • Using an open response format, explain in detail who your explorer was, what his accomplishments were, and what impact these accomplishments had.

Poster:

  • Create a poster that contains a picture or diagram that accurately correlates with the presentation, contains an accurate Biography of the explorer, and contains an accurate overview of the explorers’ ventures/accomplishments.

 

Group B:

  1. What were the major reasons for European Exploration?
  2. Who was Columbus?
  3. Explain what Columbus’s achievements were.
  4. Who was Vasco De Gama?
  5. Explain what De Gama’s achievements were.
  6. Who was Cortes?
  7. Explain what Cortes’s achievements were.
  8. Who was Magellan?
  9. Explain what Magellan’s achievements were.
  10.  What were some of the impacts of European Exploration?

Written Portion of Project;

  • Explain in detail the motivation behind European Exploration.
  • Explain in detail who your explorer was and what his accomplishments were.

Poster:

  • Create a poster that contains a picture or diagram that accurately correlates with the presentation, contains an accurate Biography of the explorer, and contains an accurate overview of the explorers’ ventures/accomplishments.

Group C:

  1. List the reasons for European Exploration.
  2. Who was Columbus?
  3. What did Columbus do?
  4. Who was Vasco De Gama?
  5. What did Vasco De Gama do?
  6. Who was Cortes?
  7. What did Cortes do?
  8. Who was Magellan?
  9. What did Magellan do?
  10.  List three of the major impacts of European Exploration.

Written Portion of Project;

  • Explain the motivation behind European Exploration.
  • Explain in detail who your explorer was and what he did.

Poster:

  • Create a poster that contains a picture or diagram that accurately correlates with the presentation, contains an accurate Biography of the explorer, and contains an accurate overview of the explorers’ ventures/accomplishments.

 

 

 

Evaluation

Grade Breakdown

Worksheet: 10 questions, 3 points each (30pts)

  • 3pts = Meets the length requirement, accurately answers the question, uses  examples/details
  • 2pts = Meets the length requirement, accurately answers the question
  • 1pt= Accurately answers the question

Poster: (30pts)

  • 10pts =  Contains a picture or diagram that accurately correlates with the presentation
  • 10pts = Contains an accurate Biography of the explorer
  • 10pts = Contains an accurate overview of the explorers ventures/accomplishments

Write up: (20pts)

  • 10pts = Explanation of the motivation behind European Exploration
  • 10pts = Explanation of what explorer you researched and what his accomplishments were

Presentation: (20pts)

  • 5pts = Meets 3 minute time requirement
  • 3pts = Eye Contact
  • 2pts = Annunciation
  • 10pts = Accurate explanation European explorers accomplishments and bio

 

Conclusion

Congradulations, you have finished your Webquest on The Age of Exploration!!!

Be sure to turn in your Exploration worksheet along with any materials from your Exploration Project!

Credits

Websites:

"Christopher Columbus." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2014.

"Ferdinand Magellan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

"Vasco Da Gama." Vasco Da Gama. Bio.com, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

Writer, Amanda Briney Contributing. "A History of the Age of Exploration." About Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2014.

Images:

"Discovering of America." Discovery of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

"European Exploration." European Exploration. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 18.

"Old Map And Compass." Wallpaper Download. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

"Vector Still Life Subjects of Geography: A Globe, Books, Map and Compass." Vector Still Life Subjects Of Geography: A Globe, Books, Map And Compass. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

Teacher Page

     To complete this webquest student will need the Exploration Worksheet, poster paper, colored pencils, and markers. Students should turn in all materials, worksheets, and projects at the end of the lesson. This Lesson is designed for
a 85min class. This webquest is designed to differentiate based on product. The worksheet and project is differentiated for all three groups, though they will be learning the same content and using the same process.   

     Students should be broken into 3 groups. If it is a bigger class, students can be broken down into subgroups of the major three groups.Group A = Advanced Learners, their questions/project will require higher order thinking and application and  they will have more open response questions. Group B = Average Learners, their questions/project will require a general understanding of the content but there will be more short response questions rather than open responses. Group C = Struggling Learners, their questions will require a more basic understanding of the content and will be more listing than short answer.