Introduction

The 5th grade students at Laurel School have been selected to design a new line of trading cards.  Your job is to create the first ever Explorer Trading Cards.  These cards will look similar to baseball cards and other trading cards you have seen, but they will have facts about the major explorers of the New World.   Using the information that is provided below, material that you have learned in class and additional sources, you will select the information that will be printed on the cards.   Good luck!  We look forward to seeing your final products!

Introduction|Task| Process | Resources |Evaluation|Conclusion

The Task

    Your task is as follows:

• Print a copy of the explorer questions provided below
• Using the Internet and other resources, locate the information required to answer the questions for each of the explorers: Cabot, White, Cartier, Champlain, Marco Polo, Columbus, Coronado, Magellan, deSoto, Cortes, daGama, and Hudson.
• Answer the ten questions provided on the Explorer Question sheet.
• Using the trading card template provided. Use the information you recorded on your question sheet to complete the information section of your cards.
• On the other side of the cards, you will print and add a photo or drawing of your explorer.
• Share your cards with your classmates.

Introduction|Task| Process | Resources |Evaluation|Conclusion

The Process

*Read through the whole process before you begin to work.

1. First, print out a copy of the questions and a copy of the template that you will find below.  If your teacher has already handed you the copies, then you may go on to the next instruction.

2. Next, with a partner, select an explorer to research.

3. Once you have selected an explorer, go to the Resource section and click on one of the links.  This will take you to a page where you and your partner will find different links that will help you find the information needed to complete the questions.  You may also use other resources to help you find the information you need.

4. When you have answered all the questions, review the information with your partner to make sure you have both written down all the important facts on your question sheets. Transfer all of your information from your sheet onto your explorer trading card.

5. Next, locate a  picture of the explorer.  (You will find pictures on the web sites and in books.)  On the back side of the card you will paste a picture of that explorer so that one side has a picture of the explorer and the other will contain information about him.

6. When you have finished filling out the first explorer's card go back to the Resource section and together with your partner, select another explorer.  Beginning the process over again (find information and draw a picture).

7. Continue this process until you fill in all five of the cards.

8.  The final step is to edit your card to make sure you have not made any writing errors, then add the finishing touches by changing text colors and font styles. Make sure your cards are appealing to the eye!
 
 
Introduction|Task| Process | Resources |Evaluation|Conclusion
 

Resources Online
 

Here are some sites where you can find information about explorers:
 
 

http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/explorer.htm

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/educate/explorers.htm

http://www.cln.org/themes/explorers.html

http://www.studyweb.com/Literature/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/canada.shtml

http://www.wordplay.com/gullages/cabot.html

http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/discovery/cartier.html

Champlain

Introduction|Task| Process | Resources |Evaluation|Conclusion

Evaluation

 Your teacher will check your cards and grade them on the following:

• the information is clear, and easy to read
• the information is correct and concise
• the picture is neatly sized.

Click here to see the Grading Rubric

Introduction|Task| Process | Resources |Evaluation|Conclusion

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed creating the first ever Explorer trading cards and learned something new in the process!