Preschool – Kindergarten – 1st Grade- 2nd Grade – 3rd Grade -4th Grade- 5th Grade- 6th Grade
1-3 Grade Early American History – EXPLORERS
(While the children are making their Explorer Hat to start their expedition of discovering the ‘New World’, listen to early American music, quotes, poetry or readings.)
Explorer Adventure #1: Make an Explorer Hat
Supplies
- Brown construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Crayons
- Feather (optional)
- Gold sticker (optional)
Directions
- Measure the child’s head.
- Cut a long strip for the headband.
- Add a large folded brim.
- Decorate with:
- Compass
- Anchor
- Ship
- Crossed oars
- Feather
Explorer Badge
Name: __________
Explorer of __________
Date __________
Memory Verse
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.” Colossians 3:23
Lap Book Instructions:
Fold manila folder into
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was born in Italy around the year 1451. When he was a boy, he loved the sea. He learned how to sail ships and dreamed of going on big adventures.
Long ago, people wanted spices, silk, and other treasures from Asia. The trip by land was long and dangerous. Columbus believed he could reach Asia faster by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to help pay for his trip. In 1492, Columbus sailed with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María.
After many weeks at sea, Columbus and his crew reached islands in the Caribbean. He thought he had reached Asia, but he had actually arrived in lands that were already home to many Indigenous peoples.
Columbus made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His journeys helped Europeans learn much more about the lands across the ocean. Today, historians also teach that his voyages began a time of great change that brought both new opportunities and great hardships for Indigenous people.
Why Did He Explore?
- To find a faster trade route to Asia.
- To bring wealth to Spain.
- To become famous.
- To share Christianity with people he met.
His Religion
Christopher Columbus was a Roman Catholic Christian. He believed God was guiding him on his journeys. He prayed before sailing and often wrote that he wanted to spread the Christian faith.
Remember
Christopher Columbus sailed west looking for Asia but reached the Caribbean instead.
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci was born in Florence, Italy. As a young man he loved learning about geography, maps, and stars.
He later traveled on several voyages to South America. As he explored the coastline, he noticed something very important.
Amerigo realized these lands were not Asia. They were part of a “New World” that Europeans had never understood before.
His letters describing these discoveries became very popular. A mapmaker later named the new continents America in honor of Amerigo Vespucci.
Amerigo spent much of his life studying maps and helping sailors navigate safely across the oceans.
Why Did He Explore?
- To learn about new lands.
- To make better maps.
- To understand the world.
His Religion
Amerigo Vespucci was a Roman Catholic Christian. Like many Europeans of his time, he believed God had created the world and wanted to learn more about it.
Remember
America is named after Amerigo Vespucci because he realized the lands were a new continent.
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier was born in France. He became an excellent sailor while growing up near the ocean.
The King of France asked him to search for a route to Asia and to explore lands for France.
In 1534, Cartier sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On later trips, he sailed far up the St. Lawrence River into what is now Canada.
He met many Indigenous peoples who already lived there. They helped his crew survive during difficult winters.
Although Cartier never found a route to Asia, his journeys helped France begin exploring and settling parts of Canada.
Why Did He Explore?
- To find a route to Asia.
- To claim land for France.
- To discover valuable resources.
His Religion
Jacques Cartier was a Roman Catholic Christian. He often placed crosses on land to show France’s claim and to represent his Christian faith.
Remember
Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River and helped France learn about Canada.
Lewis and Clark
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were American explorers. In 1803, the United States bought a huge area of land called the Louisiana Purchase.
President Thomas Jefferson wanted to know what was in this new land. He asked Lewis to lead an expedition, and Lewis invited his friend Clark to help.
Together they traveled more than 8,000 miles across rivers, mountains, forests, and plains.
They carefully drew maps, studied plants and animals, and met many Native American tribes.
A young Shoshone woman named Sacagawea traveled with them. She helped guide the expedition and made it easier to communicate with tribes along the way.
After nearly two years, the explorers reached the Pacific Ocean and safely returned home.
Why Did They Explore?
- To map the Louisiana Purchase.
- To find a route to the Pacific Ocean.
- To study plants, animals, and geography.
- To build peaceful relationships and trade with Native American tribes.
Their Religion
Lewis and Clark both grew up in Christian families. Religion was part of daily life in early America. Their expedition was mainly a scientific and government mission, not a religious one.
Remember
Lewis and Clark explored the western United States and helped Americans learn about their new country.
ACTIVITIES
This would make an excellent homeschool history unit! Since your audience is 1st–2nd grade, I would make it hands-on with lots of cutting, coloring, matching, and short reading. I would also include gentle Christian worldview notes where appropriate while keeping the history accurate.
Here is the unit I recommend.
My Little Explorers Lapbook
Grades 1–2
Explorers Included
- Christopher Columbus
- Amerigo Vespucci
- Jacques Cartier
- Lewis & Clark
- Sacagawea (special helper page)
1. Mini Biography Flip Books
Each flip book folds into a small booklet.
Front Cover
- Explorer picture
- Name
- Years lived
Inside
Page 1
Who Was ______?
(4–6 simple sentences)
Page 2
Why Did They Explore?
Simple bullets
Example
✓ Find a new way to Asia
✓ Learn about new places
✓ Help their country
Page 3
What Did They Discover?
Simple map
Small illustration
Page 4
Did You Know?
Fun facts
“I sailed on three ships.”
“My journey lasted over two months.”
2. Explorer Timeline
Students cut apart and glue.
1451
Christopher Columbus is born.
1492
Columbus sails to the Caribbean.
1497
Amerigo Vespucci begins exploring.
1534
Jacques Cartier explores Canada.
1774
Lewis is born.
1770
Clark is born.
1804
Lewis and Clark begin exploring.
1806
They return home.
(Simple illustrations above every date.)
3. Why Did They Explore?
Matching Game
Children match explorer to reason.
Christopher Columbus
⬜ Find a faster route to Asia
Amerigo Vespucci
⬜ Learn about a new continent
Jacques Cartier
⬜ Explore Canada for France
Lewis & Clark
⬜ Explore the new United States
4. Map Activities
Christopher Columbus
Color:
Spain
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Islands
Draw dotted sailing line.
Amerigo Vespucci
Color:
South America
Atlantic Ocean
Circle “America.”
Jacques Cartier
Trace
France
Atlantic Ocean
St. Lawrence River
Canada
Lewis & Clark
Trace route
Missouri River
Rocky Mountains
Pacific Ocean
5. Vocabulary Cards
Large printable cards.
Explorer
Someone who travels to new places.
Voyage
A trip by ship.
Compass
A tool that shows direction.
Map
A drawing of places.
Trade
Buying and selling things.
Ocean
A very large body of water.
Continent
One of Earth’s large land areas.
Crew
People who work on a ship.
Journey
A long trip.
Adventure
An exciting trip.
6. Explorer Tools Matching
Pictures
Compass
Map
Spyglass
Ship
Journal
Backpack
Students match
Picture
↓
Word
↓
What it is used for
7. Coloring Pages
One full-page coloring sheet for each explorer.
Example
Christopher Columbus
Large ship
Compass
Ocean
Banner:
“I was looking for Asia!”
Lewis & Clark
Mountains
River
Canoe
Trees
Sacagawea
Baby
Horse
Mountains
River
Amerigo
Globe
Map
Stars
Jacques Cartier
Ship
Canadian forest
Cross
River
8. Notebooking Pages
“My Explorer”
Name
Picture
Country
Date
Religion
Why they explored
What they found
My favorite fact
I learned…
(Primary handwriting lines.)
9. Simple Comprehension Questions
Example
Christopher Columbus
Who helped pay for Columbus’s trip?
□ England
□ Spain
□ France
What ocean did he cross?
Did Columbus think he was in Asia?
YES
NO
Lewis & Clark
Who asked them to explore?
□ George Washington
□ Thomas Jefferson
□ Abraham Lincoln
Who helped them?
10. Explorer Fact Cards
Trading-card size
Front
Picture
Back
Country
Religion
Famous for
Interesting Fact
11. Lapbook Pieces
Mini Pocket
“My Explorer Cards”
Mini Pocket
“Maps”
Fold-Up
“Explorer Vocabulary”
Wheel Spinner
“Why Did They Explore?”
Lift-the-Flap
“Explorer Tools”
Accordion Book
“Timeline”
Envelope
“My Coloring Cards”
12. Memory Verse (Optional Christian Version)
Psalm 121:8
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
or
Psalm 25:4
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”
13. Certificate
Official Young Explorer
Congratulations!
has completed
My Little Explorers History Unit
Date
Teacher Signature
Explorer Badge
Compass
Bonus Activities
- Make an explorer hat.
- Build the Niña or Santa María from paper.
- Create a treasure map.
- Hide a “treasure” and use a simple map to find it.
- Taste foods explorers helped introduce (such as potatoes, corn, or chocolate, with adult guidance).
- Keep an “Explorer Journal” by drawing and writing about a nature walk.
- Make a paper compass rose.
- Learn the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West.
Explorer Adventure #2
Build the Niña or Santa María
Supplies
Brown cardstock
Scissors
Glue
Tape
Straws
Toothpicks
White paper
String
Children build
✓ Hull
✓ Mast
✓ Sail
✓ Flag
Label
Bow