Entry #4 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

This is a second grade lesson that introduces students to the story of Lewis and Clark.  President Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to be his secretary.  Jefferson wanted Lewis around so he could train him for an exploring mission.  The president was filled with curiosity about the West.  He wanted to know about its land and its plants and animals.  He wanted to know about the Indians who lived there.  The West was very unknown in 1803 and Lewis was a careful observer who loved the land as much as Jefferson.  Lewis learned how to survive in the wilderness and learned the ways of the Indians as a captain in the Virginia militia.  William Clark was to be his partner in command and together they set out on a very difficult expedition.  They went all the way from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and back exploring the land that the United States had just bought from France-the territory of Louisiana.  The two men took soldiers, scouts, and boatmen with them on their journey.  One of the most valued members of the group was Sacagawea, a Native American woman, married to one of the scouts.  Without her help, Lewis and Clark's mission would have been far more difficult for she knew which nuts and berries to eat, and how to cook and stew meat.  She also knew how to communicate with the Native Americans they encountered on their travels.  Lewis and Clark created maps, explored rivers, collected and documented plants, captured and drew animals such as buffalo, bears, and jack rabbits.  Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to establish relationships with the Indians and  prepare for trade with them. 
(Content)

Read the story Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President which introduces the students to the story of Lewis and Clark and provides them with facts along with humor to tell this historic event.  One of the main parts of the story is how the two men captured, named, and shipped a prairie dog to President Jefferson to satisfy his requests for presents.  Have the students recall facts about the story and answer questions.  (DOK 1) (CC 1.2.2.B, 8.5.6.B) Provide students with a map of the United States depicting the route of Lewis and Clark's expedition.  Ask them questions about the different regions of the map including the 13 colonies (which was previously learned).  The students will create and design their own map and graph the route through the West.  (DOK 2)  Have students compare/differentiate with details and examples how traveling through the West at that time might have been.  (DOK 3)  Have students analyze, describe, and discuss some of the things Lewis and Clark might have encountered including animals or various weather conditions.  (CC 8.6.6.B) (DOK 4) Have them apply these ideas to their map including the geography of the land such as the mountains and rivers.  (Creative Idea)

Domains: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c