Introduction
People from all over Europe flocked to the harbors to board ships for the chance to explore new lands across the endless expanse of the Ocean. For God, Glory, and Gold, these explorers journeyed far to claim lands for their country and find riches beyond imagination.
Task
You are to climb aboard an imaginary sailing ship and accompany a European explorer on his journey. The Queen of 5th Grade would like you to record what you witness on your adventure. In your research packet, you will include a biographical overview, main events of exploration, transportation and crew, and a map of their travels. Then, you will create an interactive board game that teaches others about your explorer. Based on the scoring rubric, the Queen will reward those who follow directions. Those who don't follow orders shall walk the plank!!
Process
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1. Decide if you will work as a group of three or four. Set up a meeting with one of Queen of 5th Grade to discuss your decision and to divide up responsibilities. Your group is subject to approval.
2. Choose a European Explorer to investigate. Set up a meeting with the Queen to discuss your choices.
Christopher Columbus - Spain
Marco Polo - Italy
Henry the Navigator - Portugal
Bartholomeu Dias - Portugal
Vasco de Gama - Portugal
Amerigo Vespucci - Italy
Hernando Cortes - Spain
Giovanni da Verrazzano - France
Henry Hudson - Netherlands
John Cabot - England
Sir Francis Drake - England
Ferdinand Magellan - Spain
3. Using books and Internet resources, collect information on your European explorer and record the information in your explorer’s research packet.
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/depts/IT/Library-Resources/Pages/ency.aspx
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/depts/IT/Library-Resources/Pages/articles.aspx
4. Make a board game to show others what you have learned. You must use the Queen's Explorers Board Game instructions to create your game.
5. Share your research packet and board game with the Queen of 5th Grade and her subjects.
Evaluation
Explorers Rubric
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1 point |
2 points |
3 points |
4 points |
Score |
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Research Packet |
Packet is very incomplete. Handwriting is hard to read. |
Packet is partly completed. Some handwriting entries is difficult to read. |
Packet is complete. All handwriting is legible. |
Packet is complete, using complete sentences. All handwriting is legible. |
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Collaborative Work |
The pair or group often did not work well together and the research journal and game appeared to be the work of only some students. |
The pair or group worked fairly well together with all members contributing some work. |
The pair or group generally worked well together with all members contributing some amount and quality of work. |
The pair or group worked well together with all members contributing significant amount and quality of work. |
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Knowledge Gained |
Several students in the group cannot correctly state facts about the topic used for the game. |
Most students in the group can easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game. |
All students in the group can easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game. |
All students in the group can easily and correctly state several facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game. |
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Board Game |
Several pieces of information on the board game are not historically accurate. No rules were written. |
One or two pieces of information on the board game are not historically accurate. Rules are not clear enough for others to play it. |
All information on the board game are historically accurate. Rules are written clearly enough that all can easily participate. |
Meets expectations, AND the group put a lot of thought into the game to make it fun, interesting, and creative. |
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Conclusion
Now that you have completed your journey on the high seas, take some time to reflect on what you have accomplished. Have you walked the plank or have you successfully found Glory and Gold on your personal quest for learning about the fascinating events that occurred during Europe Exploration!