Explorer Resources
Places to Go
Drakes Bay is considered home to two landings of European explorers; Sir Francis Drake and Sebastian Cermano. Info boards are at the main Bear Valley Visitors Center and Kenneth C. Patrick Center at Drakes Beach. Porcelain artifacts are on display at Bear Valley.
Classroom Curriculum
Often the explorers are taught through research projects.
Learning about them can provide an opportunity to also discuss timelines and navigational tools.
I tend to use the following timeline to guide my instruction.
Learning about them can provide an opportunity to also discuss timelines and navigational tools.
I tend to use the following timeline to guide my instruction.
Books, Maps, Websites, and Videos
Thankfully, the world of the internet has made so many primary sources available.
The expedition journals of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, Sebastian Vizcaino, and Gaspar De Portola are all available in translation through American Journeys, the Wisconsin Historical Society's site.
Portola's expedition is organized by date here.
The expedition journals of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, Sebastian Vizcaino, and Gaspar De Portola are all available in translation through American Journeys, the Wisconsin Historical Society's site.
Portola's expedition is organized by date here.
The Oakland Museum's Picture This site has a solid overview and a few images from this time period.
The Library of Congress also has an extensive collection of searchable materials.
For navigation information, one of my favorite sites is the Mariners Museum, Age of Exploration site.
For navigation information, one of my favorite sites is the Mariners Museum, Age of Exploration site.
David Rumsey's on line map collection is truly an amazing resource for the classroom.
The National Park Service has an informative overview on the history of navigation.
The National Park Service has an informative overview on the history of navigation.
The San Francisco Public library continues with its online explorer fact cards. They can also be accessed directly here.
There are also a variety of overview web sites. They provide similar facts and links to guide research.
One example is Michael LaMar's 4th Grade Classroom Site.
One example is Michael LaMar's 4th Grade Classroom Site.
My favorite timeline maker is from Read Write Think.
Who Am I? books and guessing games also serve as a way to present knowledge learned.
Who Am I? books and guessing games also serve as a way to present knowledge learned.
revised 1-6-16