11th Grade Columbus And The Age Of Exploration Lesson Plan Example (Social Studies)

Topic: Columbus and the Age of Exploration

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the context and causes of European exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries, and specifically the role of Columbus in this period of time.

Materials

• Textbook or other reading materials on the Age of Exploration
• Images or videos of Columbus and other explorers from the period

Warm-up

• Ask students if they are familiar with the term "Age of Exploration." Explain that it refers to a period of European exploration and colonization in the 15th and 16th centuries, during which time explorers such as Columbus explored parts of the world that were previously unknown to Europeans.

Direct Instruction

• Show students a map of the world from the 15th century. Ask them to take note of the areas that were already known to Europeans at the time, such as western Europe, eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean region.
• Ask students to imagine what the rest of the world might look like beyond what was known at the time.
• Explain that the Age of Exploration began when European explorers began to seek out new trade routes and sources of wealth and power. These explorers traveled far beyond the known areas of the world, discovering new lands, peoples, and cultures.
• Introduce the name of one explorer, such as Columbus, and briefly discuss his contributions to the Age of Exploration. Ask students if they know any other explorers from the age of exploration, and discuss their contributions as well.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of maps of different regions of the world.
• Have students use the maps to identify areas that were already known to Europeans at the time and areas that were still unknown.
• Have students discuss and identify the areas that were the focus of exploration during the Age of Exploration.
• Ask each group to present their findings to the class.

Independent Practice

• Have students work in small groups to create a timeline of the key events and discoveries of the Age of Exploration.
• Students should include events such as the voyages of Columbus, the discovery of the New World, and the establishment of trade routes and colonies in the Americas.
• Encourage students to use their notes and any other materials to support their timeline.

Closure

• Ask students to share their timelines with the class and explain their choices for events and discoveries.
• As a class, review the major events and discoveries of the Age of Exploration and discuss their significance.

Assessment

• Collect and grade the student's timelines as an assessment of their understanding of the major events and discoveries of the Age of Exploration.
• Use a class discussion and participation in the group activity as formative assessments of student understanding.