A Study of
Lewis and Clark
for Mrs. Crites' 4th Grade

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In 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the third President of the United States, and began searching for a way to expand the nation toward the western area of the continent of North America.  It was believed that the United States could become more powerful by finding a "northwest passage," or a waterway across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. Such a passage would allow easier trade with countries across the Pacific. 

     Jefferson read many books and talked with explorers about what the West was like.  He decided that the best way to find out for sure was to send a group to explore the territory west of the Mississippi.  He convinced Congress to allow him to fund this expedition, and had Captain Merriwether Lewis ready to go. 

      In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.  This territory, as we will discuss later, was a major step in the history of the United States.  Now Jefferson could easily convince the nation of the need for the expedition, since the land to be explored now belonged to the United States.

Assignment #1
A journey to the unknown
1.  Think of a place that no one you can think of has visited.  What is the
 place? 
2.  How would you get information about this place? 
 3.  How would you prepare to explore this place? 
 4.  What would you do if you heard rumors of dangerous animals, people,
 terrain, etc?  Would you be afraid, or would you become more curious? 

     We've talked about how exploring the Louisiana Territory was like exploring a new planet.  However, exploration has changed in 200 years.  Visit the websites about our exploration to Mars.  After your visit, use the inspiration template in your folder to compare and contrast exploration today and exploration 200 years ago. 
    Mars Rover Expedition
 Discovery - Mars News from Spirit
 Lewis and Clark Prepare

Assignment #2
Vast is your journey
       We've learned about how the size of the United States doubled with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  Follow the link below to read a short article explaining the Louisiana Purchase.
Milestone Historic Documents:  The Louisiana Purchase Treaty

      Follow the link below to find a printable map of the United States as it is today.
On the webpage, click on the link to the map titled 
United States: Postal Abbreviations, then print the map using the print button at the top of your browser.  Click the back button twice to get back to this page.  If your teacher already handed out this map, just move on to the next paragraph.

Outline Maps of the United States 

Now follow this link to see a map showing the Louisiana Territory at the time of the Louisiana Purchase.  Compare this map to the map of the United States today.  Shade in the Louisiana Territory on your printed map to illustrate just how much land was purchased for $15 million. 

1790 Map of the Louisiana Territory

Now that you have a better idea about the vast amount of land Lewis and Clark explored, make a list of items you think Lewis and Clark may have taken on their journey 200 years ago.  Now, make a list of items you would take on a journey today.  How different is this list, and why?

Assignment #3
The Little known West
      When Jefferson became president of the United States in 1801, not much was known about the area of North America west of the Mississippi River.  From books and word of mouth, many rumors were started.  This activity will explore the thoughts people had of the West at the time Lewis and Clark were sent out to explore the area.
 

Ideas of the West Worksheet

Now follow the link below to a website from PBS to fill in the chart on the Ideas of the West worksheet.  When you get to the site, you will need to scroll down to the sections titled "The Idea of the West" and "Jefferson: Planning a Nation's Destiny."

Ideas of the West: Circa 1803

Assignment #4
Time Across America
      Follow the link below to a web site by TIME Magazine to find a map showing the route Lewis and Clark took across the United States on their expedition.  Draw this route on the map of the United States you printed during Activity 2.

After clicking the link you will need to scroll 
to the bottom of the page and click: 
Retrace the Trail under Interactive Maps

Find the correct dates when each of the events occured on your handout.  Then cut them out and place them on your map in the correct locations. Go to this historic trail website to find the correct dates.

Assignment #5
Wrap it up!

Lewis & Clark	Go Across America with Lewis & Clark	Lewis & Clark virtual tour
Discovering Lewis & Clark - The Expedition	Lewis & Clark - Re-live the adventure!!!	Interactive Map of Lews & Clark Trail
How important was Sacagawea	PBS Lewis and Clark	Thomas Jefferson and The Louisiana Purchase
The Treaty	End Of the Trail - ThinkQuest	Lewis and Clark Lead the Way - Take this Multiple Choice Adventure
Sacagawea Scavenger Hunt	Blackwell's Best Links	Rojomo- Lewis and Clark Expedition
Louisiana Purchase	Louisiana Purchase Game	America Enters The Rivalry

SCAVENGER HUNTS

Lesson Resources for Teachers
 Lewis & Clark Festival
  Discovering Lewis & Clark
 A Play About Sacajawea
 Time Across America