Description
This complete 2-week unit covers the causes and effects of the Age of Exploration (also called the Age of Discovery or the Age of Encounter). Students learn about major European explorers, why they explored, and how their actions affected Native Americans.
I’ve made these Age of Exploration activities as easy as possible for busy teachers to implement. From detailed lesson plans to complete answer keys – it’s all there. This unit will prepare you to teach about complex topics like Precolumbian Civilizations, the Atlantic slave trade, and the Columbian Exchange.
Even better, I’ve made it fun! The 10 lessons are filled with engaging lessons, and students will never do the same activity twice in a row. Your students will absolutely love the Risks of Exploration simulation.
Save time and money by bundling this Age of Exploration unit with other history resources you need.
U.S. History Curriculum Bundle | Save 20% on All Units (5th–8th Grade)
Here’s what’s included in this 2-week Age of Exploration unit:
Week 1
- Age of Exploration Overview—PowerPoint presentation & KL worksheet
- Meet the European Explorers—Gold, Glory, or God article, informative task cards on famous explorers & student worksheet
- Explorers’ Technology & Routes—Foldable about technological advances & map activity where students draw routes of explorers
- The Life of a Sailor—article about sailing during the Age of Exploration, worksheet & identity cards where students adopt the role of a sailor
- Risks of Exploration — interactive activity where students experience the risks of exploration through drawing “fate cards” & a student reflection
Week 2
- Native Americans and Europeans: Part 1—articles for 5 Native American civilizations (Inca, Aztec, Maya, Taino, Iroquois) and resources for students to create posters & presentations
- Native Americans and Europeans: Part 2—rubrics for student presentations and note-taking worksheets
- The Atlantic Slave Trade—informative article, artifacts from the slave trade, and reflection worksheet
- The Columbian Exchange—informative article and interactive notebook sort
- Age of Exploration Reflection—reflection worksheet and discussion instructions
Help for the teacher
- Table of Contents (also available in the preview)
- Suggested pacing guide
- 10 detailed lesson plans
- Answer keys (of course!)
- Editable end-of-unit test and study guide
- Easy printing file with all student worksheets and articles
Preview the Exploration and Colonization activities:
Download a PDF preview.
This Age of Exploration unit also includes digital access via Google Slides.
I have created a Google Slides resource for each lesson. Each resource contains student instructions, student worksheets with editable text boxes, and articles/task cards, if applicable. Teachers can assign Google Slides via Google Classroom.
Why I created this Age of Exploration unit plan
Here’s what people are saying about these Age of Exploration lessons
“This resource was absolutely SO fun to teach. My kids were EXTREMELY engaged throughout the entire process, everything was so fun for them. I loved getting to teach this and experience such fun class times with them.”
—Marley M. (5th graders)
“This was well worth every penny! I’ve loved this resource! The students appreciated the variety of activities and I appreciated the versatility of the whole unit. The sources were easy to follow for all of my students and sparked more engagement than I anticipated. There were many opportunities for small group work, independent work, and whole class activities. Very helpful and engaging.”
—Paige D. (5th graders)
FAQs
How can this unit be for grades 5th – 8th?
The unit articles are written at a 7th-8th grade reading level. If you teach one of those grades, your students will be able to complete the activities more or less independently.
If you teach 5th or 6th grade, I recommend reading and analyzing the articles with your students. They will do great! Check out the reviews to see how teachers at your grade level have successfully used and loved this unit.
Where can I find more history units?
- Intro. to U.S. History (Why Study History?)
- Native American Regions
- Age of Exploration
- Thirteen Colonies
- Road to Revolution: Declaration of Independence
- Revolutionary War
- U.S. Constitution
- U.S. Presidential Election Simulation
- Early Republic
- Westward Expansion
- Civil War
- Reconstruction
- Gilded Age and Industrialization
- Economics Fair Simulation
- Intro. to Geography
Read answers to more FAQs here.
U.S. History Curriculum Bundle | Save 20% on All Units (5th–8th Grade)
Read answers to more FAQs here.
This Unit is Frequently Purchased With:
Native American Tribes Activities | Regions Lessons for Grades 5–8
13 Colonies Activities & Lessons | Thirteen Colonies for 5th Grade – 8th Grade
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Theresa (Verified Buyer) –
I have ordered 2 units from The Clever Teacher and find them to not only be a valuable resource to use for history but they are also engaging for the students. The units are well thought out and appropriate for student use. They are a great use of money and I will not hesitate to order more that go with my units of study.
Sarah Muske (Verified Buyer) –
Kerisha (Verified Buyer) –
This is a great unit. My 5th graders love it. This was also really easy to follow.
Christine S. (Verified Buyer) –
Loved this, especially the simulation!
Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –
Wonderful resource. My students love the lessons!
Tracy Monhollen (Verified Buyer) –
Loved it! Will definitely purchase more in the future!
Gabriel H. (Verified Buyer) –
I had some difficulty learning to print from the zip file, however,once I was able to print it, everything worked well. The unit was on 6th grade level, however, I used the material for my 10th grade World History class room. Due to the pandemic the reading levels in my district are very low so my students were able to do the material and it was challenging. The material correlated with material in my text, it gave more depth, was organized at a 40 minutes class period and included all the resources you need. Clever Teacher reduced the research time to develop an in depth lesson. Everything was at my finger tips!
Magic Mapp (Verified Buyer) –
Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –
Amazing unit and fun lesson plans
KALPANA MEHTA (Verified Buyer) –
Very clear, great ideas variety and great worksheets.
Sam (Verified Buyer) –
I would like to thank you. I had not taught history for a few years and bought your lesson to warm up for a demo class as I was feeling a little rusty. I got a very well paying job at a great private school as a result. I will start in March. Great little summary of the topic.
Tina (Verified Buyer) –
Great resource! My class loves the hands on activities.
Lisa Skinner (Verified Buyer) –
Excellent
Julie (Verified Buyer) –
This was a great unit. It was easy to use, easy to adjust for 5th grade, engaging, and well-paced. I look forward to trying more of these units in the future.
Shelley (Verified Buyer) –
My kids loved it! Perfectly laid out and detailed. I incorporated a few EdPuzzles in the mix since our classes are over an hour. The station work with the different European Explorers was well received with all of my classes. Kids truly enjoyed the Risks of Exploration simulation and having made the connections with the Slave Trade, students had lots of questions about survival rate, routes, etc… I highly recommend it!
Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –
Olena (Verified Buyer) –
Very engaging Units!!!! Highly recommended!!!
Chandra Story (Verified Buyer) –
I love all of the US History units! They are well-organized, easy to navigate, approach history from a modern point of view, and provide a great variety of learning activities. Thanks for all the time you have out into these units!
YEHUDIS (Verified Buyer) –
very clear and super graphics
Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –
This resource is jam packed with all sorts of interesting and informative sources. I loved the primary sources as well as the great lesson plan ideas. This will be a hit with my students. It’s taking ancient history and making it more relevant and relatable to students. Awesome resource! I will be sure to purchase more stuff from this seller.
Margaret C. (Verified Buyer) –
This is a great, ready to go resource that can be used completely as is, or easily tweaked to meet your classroom’s needs. Kids loved the sailor experience!!
Kathleen O. (Verified Buyer) –
Anonymous (Verified Buyer) –
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Kelly B. (Verified Buyer) –
I teach high school, but got this because my students reading level is low. I didn’t use all the content as it is laid out but it was definitely a great resource with good info.
Constance B. (Verified Buyer) –
I love having the unit combinations and that they are so complete. Thank you for your dedication and work!
Wendy (Verified Buyer) –
My students enjoyed the activities and it enhanced their learning experience.
Rachael Thibodeaux (Verified Buyer) –
Jenny C. (Verified Buyer) –
I am using this unit for homeschooling my elementary age kids. I like the variety of topics and activities. We were able to modify the simulation game to play with just our few players (instead of a classroom full) and we had fun with it. I am happy with my purchase.
Theresa (Verified Buyer) –
Really good unit
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tarsha b. (Verified Buyer) –
This unit was worth every penny! Everything is very easy to download and print. The materials are better quality than any other teacher made materials I have ever purchased. Thank you! I will be back for more.