Title of Unit: 5th Grade History

Title of Lesson: European motivation for exploration

Submitted By: Jamie Holst

A. Summary of the Lesson Plan:

This lesson plan discusses why European explorers decided to travel to America. Students
will learn the motivation behind the journey.
B. Target Population:
Grade Level: 5th
Skill Level: on level
Grouping: whole group for entire lesson.
C. Materials:
Computer
Internet access
Teacher tube video
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=112814
Motivation worksheet
D. Objectives:
o NV State Social Studies Standards

H2.5.1 Describe motivations for and expeditions of European exploration

of the Americas.

Student-Friendly Standards

I can explain why early European explorers were motivated to travel to

America.

E. I Procedure:
1. Teacher will tell students to imagine they are an explorer and they just found out they
are leaving for a new world. Students need to write down a list of items they would
take with them. Instruct students everything they take must be able to be carried on
them or in a small bag. Explorers werent able to take suitcases. Students must also
keep in mind to pack useful tools to help them on their journey.
2. Students share their list with their group.
3. Explain that the explorers would have been nervous and excited to travel across the
ocean to a new unknown continent. Ask students why they would be excited and
nervous at the same time. Short discussion.
4. Review group presentations from Day 4. Explain that each group had a motivation to
travel to America.
5. Students will watch the video from teachertube.com and fill in their worksheets during
the video.
Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 1

Title of Unit: 5th Grade History

Title of Lesson: European motivation for exploration

Submitted By: Jamie Holst

6. Teacher will pause the video often, almost after each question and discuss the
material with the class.
7. CLOSURE: Students will write a one paragraph description in their journals about what
would motivate them to travel to a new unknown land using examples from the lesson.
F. Assessment:
What will you use to measure student understanding?
The worksheet will serve as the assessment.
Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson.
I will look at the worksheet to see if they completed all of the questions using facts from
the video. Ill also read the journals at the end of the week to check for understanding
based on the students responses.

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 2

Title of Unit: 5th Grade History

Title of Lesson: European motivation for exploration

Submitted By: Jamie Holst

Motivators for Exploration

1. _____________________________________________
Explain___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
Explain____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________
Explain____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 3