European Exploration

Mini lesson on European explorers

5th Grade
Ms.
Rosado

This lesson corresponds to the NYS K-8 social studies Frame

work.
This lesson uses the creativity and innovation standard and

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

We will learn about various European powers that explored

and eventually colonized the Western Hemisphere.

Europeans traveled to the Americas in search of new trade

routes, including a northwest passage, and resources. They
hoped to gain wealth, power, and glory.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across

the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and
1502.

He was determined to find a direct water route west from

Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he accidentally
stumbled upon the Americas.

Though he did not really discover the New Worldmillions

of people already lived therehis journeys marked the
beginning of centuries of trans-Atlantic conquest and
colonization

JOHN CABOT

Explorer and navigator John Cabot was born Giovanni

Caboto in Italy around 1450. By 1495, he had moved to
Bristol, England, with his family.

He made a voyage in 1497 on the ship Matthew and

claimed land in Canadamistaking it for Asiafor King
Henry VII of England.

JACQUES CARTIER

French navigator Jacques Cartier was born on December 31,

1491, in Saint-Malo, Brittany, France, and was sent by King
Francis I to the New World in search of riches and a new
route to Asia in 1534.

His exploration of the St. Lawrence River allowed France to

lay claim to lands that would become Canada.

PEDRO CABRAL

Pedro lvares Cabral was a Portuguese nobleman, military

commander, navigator and explorer regarded as the
discoverer of Brazil.

Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the

northeast coast of South America and claimed it for
Portugal.

VASCO NEZ DE BALBOA

The 16th-century Spanish conquistador and explorer Vasco

Nez de Balboa (1475-1519) helped establish the first
stable settlement on the South American continent, on the
coast of the Isthmus of Panama.

In 1513, while leading an expedition in search of gold, he

sighted the Pacific Ocean.

Balboa claimed the ocean and all of its shores for Spain,
opening the way for later Spanish exploration and conquest
along the western coast of South America.

MAPS OF EUROPEAN EXPLORATION

FILL IN THE BLANK

1.

Christopher Columbus was looking for __________________.

2.

Christopher Columbus sailed for ____________.

3.

Columbus arrived to the Americas in _____________.

4.

Who was the first European to find mainland Canada ___________.

5.

Jacques Cartier made _____ voyages to modern day Canada.

6.

__________ were causes of European Exploration.

A) God, Glory, Gold

B) 1492
C) 1504
D) Spain
E) England
F) Jacques Cartier
G) John Cabot
H)3
I) 5
J)A new trade route to India

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES!

http://mrnussbaum.com/readingcomp/ agestory

http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/explorersflash2 /

http://mrnussbaum.com/clozemain/agecloze

Complete the All about Early Explorers worksheet

Challenge: Write a paragraph about what you imagine sailing to

America was like during the age of Exploration. Use the library, the
classroom, and internet resources as research.

ASSESSMENT: KAHOOT

Using your phone, a computer, or tablet log on to Kahoot.it

Enter the game pin and begin the online quiz.

HOMEWORK
COMPLETE THE JACQUES
CARTER WORKSHEET

COMPLETE THE CHRISTOPHER

COLUMBUS WORKSHEET