Introduction
The Americas today
consist of people and cultures from around the globe. Prior
to 1492, the dominant people were Native Americans. The great
diversity of cultures and practices were drastically changed
once Europeans began exploring the globe. Although great
stress is generally placed on Christopher Columbus and his
voyage to the Americas, this is only part of the story. There
were many events and inventions which made the Age of
Discovery possible.
Task
Your task is to
learn about several of the events and inventions which made
the Age of Discovery possible. First, you will complete a
worksheet that will direct you to the information required.
Then, you will use your new found knowledge to create a Power
Point presentation, that is a timeline which chronicles
events between 1000 A.D. and 1492 A.D., that led to European
exploration of the Americas.
Process
Follow each item
step-by-step!
Part
1 - The Worksheet
Get the Worksheet.
a) Click here to download the
worksheet for this activity.
b) Wait a moment while it loads.
c) After it has loaded, click "File" then
"save as".
d) Select your directory from the drop down menu.
e) Name the file "discweb-all three of your
initials".
f) Click "Save".
g) Press the "back" arrow on your browser.
h) Open Microsoft Word.
i) Select "File" then "Open" and open
the file you just saved.
Follow the
instructions on the worksheet. You should type your
answers after each question, in the gray box provided.
You will not print until you have completed all items on the
worksheet. This includes the Short Essay section.
Use the resources listed below to help you answer
each question. You will notice they are divided according to
the sections on your worksheet.
When you are
finished with the worksheet, INCLUDING THE ESSAY, raise your hand,
and see your teacher. Your teacher will approve your work,
and allow you to start Part 2 - the timeline.
Part 2 - Timeline
(Power Point)
You will create a 7
- 9 page Power Point presentation which identifies at least 5
reasons and motives leading to Europeans' exploration of the
Americas. (You may wish to detail more reasons and motives
for extra credit.)
a) Slide one will have a title, your name
and a list of the motives you will discuss.
b) The final slide will briefly summarize
what you have presented. In other words, you will tell us
how the world was changed by these reasons and motives.
c) Slides two through the next to last,
will each detail one reason / motive leading to
exploration.
Items to consider including:
What was the reason / motive?
(What was it called?)
Where did it happen?
When did it happen?
Who made it or caused it to happen?
d) Place all items in some sort of
logical order. (Chronological is one option.)
e) Make your slide show interesting.
Include appropriate clipart, cool transitions &
builds, backgrounds, and even sound.
Use
information from your worksheet, textbook and the Internet
resources listed below.
See
the Presentation Rubric if you have
specific questions about how you will be graded.
Resources
Crusades
Positive Impact
of Crusades on East & West
Brief History of
the Crusades
Marco
Polo's China Visit
Marco Polo
(Slide Show)
Renaissance
Exhibits
Collection: Renaissance
Emergence
of Powerful Nation States
European Voyages
of Exploration: Iberian Pioneers
European Voyages
of Exploration: Imperial Spain
The End of
Europe's Middle Ages: New Monarchies
Technology
Renaissance:
Exploration & Trade
European Voyages
of Exploration: Ship Building
Age of
Exploration: Vocabulary
Muslim
Control of Overland Trade Routes
Spice Trade
The Age of
Discovery & Exploration
Printing
Press
Renaissance:
Printing & Thinking
Printing:
History & Development
Printing: An
Industry Born
Additional
Resources
Age of
Exploration: Vocabulary
European Voyages
of Exploration
History Channel
Online
Yahooligans
Evaluation
You will be graded
on the number of correct and reasonable answers you provide
about each event or motive, as well as the quality and
content of your essay. The Presentation Rubric will used to
evaluate your timeline (Power Point).
Conclusion
After completing
this activity, you will have learned more about the reasons
and motives which led Europeans to explore the Americas and
the World. You will also have determined what you believe to
be one of the greatest reasons and motives which led to
European exploration.
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Sorensen's Universe!
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