The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Explorers
History Over two hundred years ago the Lewis and Clark Expedition was underway. Ask your school librarian for help in gathering historical biographies, maps, diaries and historical fiction. Have students read, draw maps, make wagon and canoe models and write what it would be like to be sent into unknown territory.

Lewis and Clark: The Journey West
On January 18, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson requested money from Congress. The money would enable Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and about 30 other explorers to map a water route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition started out on May 14, 1804. Two hundred years later, America celebrates the anniversary of that famous trek. Included: Five lessons that focus on preparations for the expedition and on highlights of the trek.

Analyzing the Lewis and Clark Journals
Students will examine and interpret Corps of Discovery journal entries as primary documents/sources providing insight into the expedition's journey.

Mapmaking
Students will explore the mapmaking craft or cartography, examine how the Lewis and Clark expedition created and used maps, and identify and apply mapmaking techniques and tools.

On This Day With Lewis and Clark
After completing the lessons in this unit, students will be able to describe some of the hazards faced by the Lewis and Clark expedition, trace the journey on a U.S. map, and list some of the discoveries made on the journey.

Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
At this site students can view letters from Thomas Jefferson, receipts and photographs of the area.