Lesson 2 Activity 2: In the Wake of Lewis and Clark

Time

One 50-minute class period per step.

Materials per student

• Copies of journals of Lewis and Clark (see bibliography)
• Notebooks and pencils

Materials for each group

• Highway maps of the western United States.
• Information about Lewis and Clark's expedition (see sources listed below)
• Colored markers
• Map showing State and national boundaries in 1804 and the Louisiana Purchase

Procedures

1. List places visited by Lewis and Clark and categorize them as natural landmarks, native villages, sites of special events, pioneer outposts, etc. Mark these sites on a map of the western United States. Mark State boundaries and the western boundary of the United States as they were before the Louisiana Purchase.

2. Referring to Lewis and Clark's report, summarize their weekly progress, marking the map as well as possible. Use symbols for special places: important natural landmarks, the place where they met Sacagawea, major camp sites, major obstacles, sites where friendly natives provided important help, places where they suffered especially bad weather, places where they changed from river to overland travel, etc. Indicate the boundaries of native cultures along their route.

3. Plan an imaginary trip along part of the route of Lewis and Clark. How far can you travel in a week? What obstacles will you face? Where will you replenish your supplies? What will you take? How many are in your party, and what are each one's responsibilities? How much will this cost? How will you pay for the trip? What can you accomplish on this trip?

Extension