Lewis & Clark Site Map

THEME
In the summer of 1803, Captain Lewis was in Pittsburgh waiting for a keelboat to be finished so he could begin the expedition. Lewis' dog, a large Newfoundland named Seaman, was with him. Subsequent journal entries indicate that Seaman was a valuable companion on the westward journey, and that his master and other expedition members took good care of him.

GOALS

• To acquaint pupils with the Lewis and Clark expedition by associating it with something most of them have experienced--owning a pet.
• To introduce technological change by contrasting drawings of Seaman (there were no cameras to take his picture) and photographs of Newfoundland dogs today.
• To introduce pupils to the Lewis and Clark journals by reading or telling stories about Seaman from the journals.
• To indicate that Seaman was not only a pet, but a valuable helper on the expedition as well.
• To emphasize that Seaman was well cared for.

OBJECTIVES
When the lesson is completed students will be able to:

• Describe the appearance of a Newfoundland dog.
• State two characteristics of Newfoundland dogs that made Seaman a valuable helper on the expedition.
• State why there are no photographs of Seaman or the expedition members.
• Relate how Seaman saved Lewis and Clark from being hurt by a buffalo.
• Give an example of how Seaman was cared for on the journey.

ADVANCE PREPARATION

1. Preview the contents and teachings aids for this unit by clicking on the following capitalized titles: The INTRODUCTION provides an overview of the unit's contents and organization. The SYNOPSIS of the Lewis and Clark Expedition briefly sums up the historical background on which this lesson plan (CAPTAIN LEWIS BUYS A DOG) is based. SAVED BY SEAMAN is a skit about Lewis' dog (Seaman), saving the captains from a stampeding buffalo. Read Captain Lewis' own account of the event by clicking on JOURNAL EXCERPTS "D". Students may also take part in a paper-craft activity about their own pets. Click on PET PICTURE for directions.
   Be sure to look over the supplemental materials also. For suggestions about choosing Lewis and Clark resources, click on LEWIS AND CLARK RESOURCE MATERIALS. For additional information, see TEACHING AIDS "D". The GLOSSARY AND PRONUNCIATION GUIDE provides assistance with names and terms associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Finally, the EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND MULTIPLE-INTELLIGENCES CHARTS A, B, C, D contains specific educational standards and multiple-intelligences goals fulfilled by this unit.
   
2. Before beginning the lesson, refresh your memory about the Lewis and Clark Expedition by reading the brief SYNOPSIS. Discuss the information with the class.
3. Obtain a large map of the United States and a map of the Lewis and Clark Trail to locate places mentioned in the story. For a free map of the Lewis and Clark trail, click on the following Internet website: www.nps.gov/lecl/maps.htm. This is the official site of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Classroom maps may be ordered by e-mail, phone, or downloaded and printed from the website.)
4. Discuss the basic principles of caring for pets.
5. Find pictures or videos of Newfoundland dogs to show to students. (Note: For assistance in locating books, pictures, maps, etc., click on TEACHING AIDS "D".)

IMPLEMENTATION
Background Story
Some of the best known stories from the Lewis and Clark Journals are about Captain Lewis' big Newfoundland dog that went on the expedition with him. No one knows exactly where Lewis got Seaman, but he wrote in his journal that he paid twenty dollars for him. That is not very much money today. In those days, however, people were paid very little for their work, so twenty dollars was a lot of money. When Lewis started down the Ohio River, Seaman was on the keelboat with him. Seaman is mentioned several times in the journals of Lewis and Clark, and also in the diary of one of the men, Sergeant John Ordway. Both Lewis and Clark wrote about how Seaman saved them one night by scaring a big buffalo away from the tent where they were sleeping.

Seaman was a hunting dog, also. He often jumped into the river and caught beavers, ducks, and geese for the explorers to eat. Newfoundland dogs are very good swimmers. The toes on their feet are webbed to help them move swiftly through the water. Their fur is thick and oily so it does not soak up much water. "Newfies" are very strong, too, and they sometimes rescue people from drowning.

Captain Lewis took good care of his dog. Once when Seaman was chasing a beaver in the water, the beaver bit his leg and made it bleed badly. Captain Lewis stopped the bleeding and saved Seaman's life. On another occasion, Seaman became overheated when he was hiking through the tall prairie grass with Lewis and some of the men. He had to be taken back to camp.

Many Indian people admired Seaman. Some even tried to buy him from Lewis, but Lewis said no. At one village, a couple of men "dognapped" Seaman, but Lewis sent his men after them and they gave him back without a struggle.

Class Discussion
(After telling the story about Seaman, inform students that Newfoundland dogs still exist today, and are very helpful to people just as Seaman was helpful on the expedition. Today, many "Newfies" are trained to rescue people who are lost, injured, or drowning. Show photographs of modern Newfoundland rescue dogs in action. Finally, engage students in a discussion about their own pets, or pets they would like to have if they do not have one. Stress the need to take care of pets and to be kind to them.) Click on TEACHING AIDS "D" and scroll to "Books about Newfoundland Dogs," and "Books about Pet Care.")

CONCLUSION
Lewis wrote the last mention of Seaman on July 15, 1806 at the Great Falls of the Missouri River. This was about two months before the expedition returned to St. Louis. On that day, Lewis wrote that the mosquitoes were bothering everyone very badly including his dog. What eventually happened to Seaman is a mystery, but in all likelihood, he was with the party when they got back to St. Louis.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES
Follow up this Lesson Plan (CAPTAIN LEWIS BUYS A DOG) with one or more of the related activities listed both in the INTRODUCTION and in the Lesson Plan under ADVANCE PREPARATION, number 1.