Exploring the West with 

Lewis and Clark

Designed by:

Kylie Cutchall

kcutchall@students.csm.edu

Wendy Ratkovec wratkovec@hotmail.com

Each lesson in this unit can be used to achieve learning objectives in multiple subject areas.  The primary subjects of the Web Quest include

On February 28, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson won approval from Congress for a visionary project, an endeavor that would become one of America’s greatest stories of adventure.  Twenty-five hundred dollars were appropriated to fund a small expeditionary group, whose mission was to explore the uncharted West.  Jefferson called the group the Corps of Discovery.  It would be led by Jefferson's secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and Lewis' friend, William Clark. 

Over the next four years, the Corps of Discovery would travel thousands of miles experiencing lands, rivers, and peoples that no Americans ever had before.

The year: 1803.  

The place: Washington, D.C.  

The dilemma: President Thomas Jefferson has recently purchased 3,700 miles of uncharted territory.  He has appointed you and a friend to lead a group of fellow explorers through this unknown territory.  President Jefferson has requested details defining an efficient water route to the Pacific Ocean.   

The task: Your duties consist of the following:

        You and your colleague will:

      The Internet will be your only source of research.  However, you do not want to forget what you discovered.  Therefore, while trekking across the uncharted West, keep a field journal of all of your encounters.  After all, President Jefferson will be expecting details    of your discoveries.  Your journal will help you relive your expedition to complete the final project.

Put your thinking caps on and tighten your laces because you are about to embark on an expedition into territory never before explored by Americans.  Before setting off on your expedition you must choose a colleague to assist you throughout your travels.  Remember it is important that you work well with each other, after all he/she is your fellow Corps member.  You will be presented with five missions to complete.  Your quest will come to an end after each mission is successfully completed.  

  MISSIONS 

Draw a map that includes your route traveled along the Lewis and Clark trail.  Label the many landforms and rivers.  Be sure to include the various Indian tribes encountered.  (HINT:  check out the top left hand corner at this site to learn about various tribes mentioned on the map.)

Rivers and landforms can be incredible obstacles to overcome on such a long journey.  Check out the following sites: Travel map (look for A MAP OF THE TRAIL located at the bottom of the page); points of interest; activated travel map; another interesting source is the South Dakota trail. Specific points to note on your map:  

    Using your travel map from MISSION 1 to design and create a travel brochure convincing new settlers to move to the newly charted territory. Some interesting facts and discoveries can be found by exploring this interactive journey.  

MISSION 3

    Supplies and Corps members are an important aspect that contribute to a prosperous and successful journey.  It is important to remember when selecting supplies for the journey, they will all be carried on your back.  However, it is also important to keep in mind that enough supplies must be taken to accommodate all Corps members.  Food may be hunted on the journey!  With this information, compile a complete list of supplies needed and why.  This may be done using a spreadsheet.  Include reasons for selecting Corps members with a variety of leadership abilities (soldiers, hunters, farmers, recorder, translators, etc...).  The interactive journey mentioned above may be helpful in completing this mission.

MISSION 4

    Throughout the journey West many plants and animals were encountered that had never been seen before East of the Mississippi river. Various breeds of flowers were also found on Lewis and Clark's journey that were of great interest to those back home. Design and create a booklet that illustrates and informs others of the incredible discoveries that have changed the world of botany and zoology forever. In your booklet, include and describe three different plants and three different animals.  Here are some possible questions to answer:  

MISSION 5

    Traveling the trail the Corps members encountered communication difficulties.  In order to communicate with the Indians and fellow Corps members, it was necessary to put the following chain of translation in place: Lewis would speak English to Private Francois Labiche, who would speak French to the interpreter Toussaint Charbonneau, who would speak Hidatsa to his Shoshone wife Sacagawea, who would speak Shoshone to Chief Cameahwait. Then, Cameahwait's reply would move back along the language chain back to Lewis.  

Now it is your turn. Do you have what it takes to be a translator? If you are unable to understand each other, the Corps may have to give up and turn back! (Scroll down to the bottom and click on the language chain activity).  Reflect on this activity in your field journal.

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

    You will be graded primarily on the information in your field journal.  All missions should be recorded in your journal.  Make sure your field journal includes the following: answers from specific questions listed in the mission, your brochure, your map, reflections, plant and animal booklet, and supply and Corps member lists.  Finally, in the last pages of your field journal discuss the immense impact Lewis and Clark had on the Westward expedition.