Louisiana Purchase Lewis and Clark Activities 2 Hands Activities Included

This is an awesome way to take a "dry" topic, like the Louisiana Purchase, and make it hands-on and interactive! There are 2 "hands-on" activities included in this product.

• #1 - Visual Summary activity. I came up with this strategy that has worked really well with all levels of my students. The activity includes a 2 page summary of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this lesson, students are put in groups of 2 or 3. Student #1 is the reader of the summary. Student(s) #2/#3 are the picture sorters. They hear cues from the reader and sort pictures (you cut them up and put them in baggies) relating to the summary in the order they hear them. After they are finished, they put the summary away and “retell” the story of the Louisiana Purchase to their group using only the pictures.

• #2 - Primary Source sorting activity - You will cut up items that Lewis and Clark brought on their journey. These are on cards provided in this purchase - put them in baggies. Students will create categories of items based on what see. They will use higher order thinking skills to predict, analyze and categorize these items and will justify which items would have been most and least important. I have provided title cards for the categories if you wish to modify the assignment for struggling learners. I took these items from the journals of Lewis and Clark.

These activities have been a huge hit in my 8th grade US History class! See the preview for a better look at what is included!

Included in purchase:

• Teacher instructions and suggestions
• 2 page summary
• 2 pages of pictures that go with the visual summary
• 3 pages of cards for the primary source sort
• title cards
• student processing worksheet (optional to use, they can use notebook paper, too)

This could easily extend into a 2 day lesson! (45 min classes)

Why do students love it?

• It's hands-on and interactive
• They get to work with a partner
• It's a "different" way to introduce a topic

Why do teachers love it?

• It's a high engagement lesson
• Students are collaborating together and discussing
• It works for all levels of students!
• Once prepped, you can use this year after year - just store the images in baggies
• This lesson "sticks" - and students will remember the key points.

Teacher Feedback:

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lauren J. says, "Engaging activity. Students have to research a lot of the terms in 8th grade because they do not know what the items are. This makes the activity last longer and captures their interest. Thanks!
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Erin F. says, "My students really enjoyed this activity."
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Megan L. says, "Great addition to my Lewis and Clark unit."