HANGING OUT WITH LEWIS AND CLARK
8th Grade - U.S. History

Ann willard © 2006

Last Updated June 15, 2006

 

Patrick Gass.
A Journal of the Voyages and Travels
of a Corps of Discovery,
Under the Command of Capt. Lewis
and Capt. Clarke

How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#1 Introduction

Would you have what it takes to be an explorer? Would you like to be one of the first to go where none has gone before?

The Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1803-1806 opened the American West. This expedition was an official expedition supported by our national government for the purpose of inquiry. Long a dream of President Jefferson, he enlisted his friend Meriwether Lewis who in turn enlisted his friend Robert Clark for this exciting journey. There were many hardships and rewards, many highs and lows on such as trip.

In this WebQuest activity, you will go along with Lewis and Clark to explore a new frontier that became our American West.

 
How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#2 Task

Your task will be to compose a letter describing three imaginary events based on your critique of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

You will first work with a group exploring two web sites. For better understanding, you will first explore the background information and historical significance of this journey. You will then go on a multimedia journey in which you will interpret actual events by reading journal entries and examining artifacts and maps.

How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#3 Process

  1. You will be assigned to a team with two other students.
  2. You will first explore the background information as to how the Lewis and Clark expedition came about by going to the Library of Congress site.
  3. Next you will examine journal entries, artifacts, and maps by again using a Library of Congress site .
  4. While exploring the second site, read text on screen only. Do not click link to, "Full journal entry".
  5. Working alone, you will compose a letter to a friend detailing in your own words three important experiences. These should be imaginary experiences based on information you appraised while on the sites.
  6. You should focus on your perspective of how difficult or enjoyable you feel the first official journey across our continent was.

 
How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#4 Evaluation

Rubric for Letter Writing: Hanging Out With Lewis & Clark

CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Sentences & Paragraphs
Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure.
All sentences are complete and well-constructed (no fragments, no run-ons). Paragraphing is generally done well.
Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work.
Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work.
Grammar & spelling (conventions)
Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar and/or spelling.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling
Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling.
Ideas
Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about.
Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organization could have been better.
Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about.
The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about.
Length
The letter is 3.5 to 4 pages long. The font is to be 14 points.
The letter is 3 pages long. The font is to be 14 points.
The letter is 2.5 pages long. The font is to be 14 points.
The letter is 2 pages long. The font is to be 14 points.
Capitalization and Punctuation
Writer makes no errors in capitalization and punctuation.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation.
Writer makes 3-4 errors in capitalization and punctuation.
Writer makes more than 4 errors in capitalization and punctuation.
Neatness
Letter is typed or hand-written, clean, not wrinkled, and is easy to read with no distracting error corrections. It was done with pride.
Letter is neatly typed or hand-written, clean, not wrinkled, and is easy to read with no distracting error corrections. It was done with care.
Letter is typed or hand-written and is crumpled or slightly stained. It may have 1-2 distracting error corrections. It was done with some care.
Letter is typed or hand-written and looks like it had been shoved in a pocket or locker. It may have several distracting error corrections. It looks like it was done in a hurry or stored improperly.
Format
Complies with all the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with almost all the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with several of the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with less than 75% of the requirements for a friendly letter.
Content Accuracy
The letter contains at least 15 accurate facts about the topic.
The letter contains 12 accurate facts about the topic.
The letter contains 9 accurate facts about the topic.
The letter contains 6 accurate facts about the topic.

 
How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#5 Conclusion

Now it is time to compare and discuss our views on this great historical event. The Lewis & Clark Expedition opened our American West which led to the expansion of our country. In your perspective was it an easy journey across our country? Was the expansion of our country from sea to shining sea the next logical step?

You are to keep in mind the knowledge you have obtained about the Lewis & Clark Expedition and relate it to the world of today. We will engage in a class discussion relating the past to the present by pondering the question of where President Bush would send Lewis & Clark in today's world. Are there new frontiers to be explored? Is expansion of our country still possible? Do we still send people on journeys of inquiry? Would such a journey be hard or easy at this time in history? Explain. Would you be up to the challenge? Why or why not?

How challenging and exciting was the first official journey across our continent from your perspective?
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page | Home

#6 Credits and References

Designed by Ann Willard ©2006, an Eighth Grade Teacher at Margaret Bell Miller Middle School, Central Greene School District in partnership with An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg College. Last updated June 20, 2006.

Template created April 2006 by Amy Martin, An Adventure of the American Mind at Waynesburg based on a template designed by Lisa Bradshaw, An Adventure of the American Mind - Colorado.

Many ideas for webquest content and worksheets were adapted by permission from An Adventure of the American Mind - Northern Virginia Partnership, Dr. Rhonda Clevenson, Director.