Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Lewis and Clark Expedition Pocket Compass"

Gouverneur Warren's Expedition

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:22:17 GMT

Join Gouverneur Warren on his 1856 expedition into the American frontier and identify the specimens he sent back to the Smithsonian for study and classification in this interactive activity. Students will begin by reading a letter that Warren sent to the Smithsonian and will then match specimens to the locations that they were found on a map of Warren's expeditions. A wonderful example of object-based learning, this activity will help students learn more about the connections between science, history and the work of museums. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled West Point in the Making of America.

Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting Homepage

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:30:23 GMT

In this interactive website, students explore the role buffaloes played in the lives of Native Americans of the northern Plains. The website includes: online interactives, printable activities and a map of the Plain Indians, information about the art of buffalo hide paintings, a teacher's guide and student worksheets, and a bibliography of related books and online resources appropriate for all ages.

Lewis and Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:53:36 GMT

This website, produced by the Missouri Historical Society, was produced to coincide with a traveling exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark exhibition. Students can explore the entire journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery through the use of an interactive map, thematic units and an image gallery. Primary source documents, objects, oral histories and historical quotes tell the story of this pivotal episode in America's history from the perspectives of those involved in the expedition as well as the people they encountered. Resources for teachers include classroom activities written for upper elementary, middle and high school students.

Lewis and Clark Mapping the West

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:54:08 GMT

Cartography and the making of maps is the focus of this online exhibiiton. This site features online access to Lewis and Clark maps and other primary sources, and provides related activities and lesson plans. Students will learn the art of map making by examining the methods Lewis and Clark used to make maps during their famous journey of discovery. Exploration maps from both before and after their voyage show how their efforts fundamentally changed knowledge of the geography of the West. Learning activities imbedded within the exhibition as well as fully developed lesson plans are also included.

The 39 Clues Decoding History Virtual Field Trip

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:42:11 GMT

Bestselling 39 Clues author David Baldacci takes students on a webcast field trip to meet renowned museum curators, go behind the scenes, and investigate some of the most fascinating mysteries of American history. Baldacci is the author of Day of Doom, the last book in The 39 Clues series, Cahills vs. Vespers.

Artifacts featured in the program include Lewis & Clark's compass, the Star-Spangled Banner, signed pottery made by a slave, and Abraham Lincoln's watch. Under related links on the resource page, see accompanying pre- and post-webcast materials available for download, as well as a program transcript.