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Field Trip Activity "A"
EXPLORING IN THE COMMUNITY
CONNECTION TO LEWIS AND CLARK
Lewis and Clark are probably America's best-known explorers. Although
their story has been told countless times, it still retains the
power to excite the imagination of new listeners.
OVERVIEW OF THIS ACTIVITY
After being introduced to the Lewis and Clark expedition story,
students are taken on a field trip. After the field trip, students
report on what they saw and learned.
PURPOSE(S)
To introduce the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to young
children; to stimulate their curiosity; and to encourage them to
observe, listen, and learn.
ADVANCE PREPARATIONS
- Select a field trip to a place that will interest students,
or use this activity with any previously planned field trip. If
possible, select a field trip site with which most of the students
are unfamiliar so they will be observing many new things. An ideal
site would be one connected with the Lewis and Clark Trail.
- Before they left on their trip, Lewis and Clark learned as much
about where they were going as possible. They also planned their
trip carefully to be sure they had enough food and supplies. Tell
students where they are going on their field trip. Describe the
site briefly and help students plan what they need to take with
them. (Older students may be assigned to research the site in
books, magazines, or on the Internet.)
IMPLEMENTATION
- Just before leaving on the field trip, explain that Lewis and
Clark (and many other explorers) wrote down what they saw and
did on their travels so they would not forget anything. Tell students
they will be writing about their trip (or drawing pictures of
it) when they return, so they should pay close attention to what
they see and hear.
- Emphasize how careful explorers must be when traveling. Many
unexpected things happened to Lewis and Clark on their long journey,
but they were able to travel safely for hundreds of miles by being
watchful and prepared.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY
After the field trip, have students draw pictures or write down
what they saw and learned in a handmade journal. For directions,
click on WHAT DID YOU SEE? WHAT DID
YOU LEARN?
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