Early European Explorers:

Using graphic organizers for pre-writing

Courtney McCoy
EDU 390
 Standards and Learning Target
• ELAGSE3RL3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits,
motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the
sequence of events
• ELAGSE3W4 With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which
the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose.

• SS3H2 a. Describe the reasons for and obstacles to the exploration of

North America
• SS3H2.b. Describe the accomplishments of: John Cabot (England), Vasco
Núñez de Balboa (Spain), Hernando de Soto (Spain), Christopher Columbus
(Spain), Henry Hudson (The Netherlands), and Jacques Cartier (France)

Central Focus: The students will be able to describe the European Explorers traits, goals,
obstacles, and accomplishments, through the use of a graphic organizer.
Why did I choose this lesson?
I chose this lesson because I have often
seen students struggle with organizing
before writing information. I also wanted
to review the Early European Explorers;
therefore I integrated both topics into
this mini lesson.
Pretest
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 Day 1
• Introduce standard and learning target.
• KWL Chart on graphic organizers.
• Discuss the different types of graphic
organizers and their purpose. Students
were divided and rotated in stations.
• T-O-T-D: Identify one graphic organizer
and describe its purpose.
Graphic Organizers: The Extra Good
Sunday
 Day 2
• Review graphic organizers discussed
yesterday.
• As a whole read about a specific explorer and
fill out the graphic organizer.
• Divide the students in groups with a given
European Explorer and have them read and
properly fill in the graphic organizer.
• Have each group share what they learned
about their European Explorer.
 Day 3
• Divide students in different groups to
share notes.
• Discuss vocabulary
• Whole group pick two European Explorer
and compare and contrast between the
two using a venn diagram.
 Day 4
Students write a paragraph describing a
specific European explorer. Use at least 3
vocabulary words.
 Post Test
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