Text Set: Explorers

All standards listed refer to Grade 5 California Content Standards for History and Social Science.

          Refer to end of text set for detailed listing of standards addressed.

 

Angela Covil

 

1.     You Are the Explorer. 2000. Written by Nathan Aaseng.  Minneapolis, MN: Oliver Press, Inc.  Great Decisions series.

Summary: This book describes the experiences of the great explorers, explains the options each explorer had, and analyzes the decisions they made.  The reader “becomes” the explorer and makes one of four decisions.  The book then lays out the results of your decision and tells you what explorer you are.  Not only does this book teach students about the explorers, it also illustrates the importance of weighing pros and cons and cause and effect. 

Grades 4-9. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 1881508552

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

2.     Around the World In A Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan. 1998. Written by Jean Fritz.  Illustrated by Anthony B. Venti. New York: Putnam’s.

Summary: Exploring becomes an adventure in this book that takes readers through the travels of 10 European explorers of the 15th century.  The narratives are amusing accounts of how these explorers sailed into the unknown and helped create more accurate maps, which are displayed in each chapter.

Grades 3-7. Located at Sacramento Public Library.  ISBN: 0698116380

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

3.     Pedro Menendez de Aviles. 2002. Written by Russell Roberts. Bear, DE: Mitchell Lane Publishers. Biography.

Summary: Roberts has written a biography suitable for elementary students that chronicles the life of de Aviles.  This explorer founded St. Augustine, FL for Spain and searched for the seven cities of gold, rumored to be located in the Americas.  The book is intended to be appealing for young and reluctant readers, using color photos and an approachable format, incorporating biography and history with legend.

Grades 5-8. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 1584151501

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

4.     The New York Public Library Amazing Explorers: A Book of Answers for Kids. 2001. Written by Brendan January. New York: Wiley. Reference.

Summary: This is an excellent reference book for students who are interested in why explorers tried to accomplish what society thought was impossible.  The author covers exploration from ancient times to the present in stories that will grab the interest of young readers.  Also a great reference for research reports.

Grades 4-9. Located at Sacramento Public Libraries. ISBN: 047139291X

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3

 

5.     The History News: Explorers. 2001. Written by Michael Johnstone. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub.

Summary: Everything is news in this book that chronicles exploration from ancient times through current history.  Each explorer’s story is presented as a newspaper article that gives the facts about the life and excursions of each man in the first person.  Interesting new format to present this information.

Grades 4-7. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 0836828755

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

6.     Extraordinary Explorers and Adventurers. 2001. Written by Judy Alter. New York: Children’s Press (Scholastic).

Summary: This book is an introduction to all explorers, not just the ones discussed in typical text books.  The entries are not extensive, but they include pictures and interesting facts.  The book is not meant to be the sole resource on explorers, but it will be of use to students who want to know more about explorers throughout history.

Grades 4+. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 0516216937

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

7.     Exploration and Conquest: The Americas After Columbus. 1997. Written by Betsy Maestro. New York: Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books.

Summary: Columbus brought stories of riches and opportunities back to Europe from the Americas, triggering a wave of subsequent exploration, which became conquest.  This book is an exciting narrative that delivers the facts about the exploration and exploitation of the Americas through 1600.  Thought written for a younger audience, this book will still intrigue much older students.

Grades 2-6. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 0688154743.

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2,

 

8.     Explorers Who Got Lost. 1992. Written by Diane Sansevere-Dreher. Illustrated by Ed Renfro. New York: TOR. Reference.

Summary: This book covers the lives and explorations of eight European explorers in an easy-to-read format.  Each chapter contains sketches and information about each man and his story.  Good resource for students because it has boxes explaining possible unknown words and additional facts. 

Grades 4-8. Located at Sacramento Public Library. ISBN: 0312853467

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.2, 5.2.3

 

9.     Explorers. (Website)

Summary: This wonderful website leads students into exploration through brief biographies, activities, and quizzes.  The site is very clearly laid out and navigable for even the most internet-challenged.  The activities are easy and fun for all age groups, and the quizzes direct students to the most important information about the explorers.  Fun site that will interest reluctant students.  Designed by elementary students for their peers. 

Grades 2-8.  http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/explorers_start.htm

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3

 

 

10. Explorer Poems. (Website)

Summary: This is a fifth grade class’s website of poems they have written about explorers.  The poems are cute and cover a variety of explorers.  This is a nice way to incorporate poetry into an explorers unit, and provide inspiration for your students.

Grades 4-6. http://www.kathimitchell.com/explpoe.htm

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2

 

11. Room 30’s Explorer Page. (Website)

Summary: This website is an excellent site created by students at Tom Matsumoto school in San Jose.  It has links to information about explorers written by the students, along with original artwork on each page.  The site also includes a page about navigation equipment used by the explorers and pictures of each piece of equipment.  The site is well constructed, easy to use, and very informative.

Grades 3-8. http://www.esd.k12.ca.us/Matsumoto/TM30/history/Explorers/exmain.html

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3

 

12. The Mariners’ Museum: Age Of Exploration Vocabulary.  (website)

Summary: This website is part of the Mariners’ Museum site and has a link to their homepage.  This page is especially useful to students because it provides definitions of vocabulary as it is used in the context of exploration.  The homepage provides a plethora of information about explorers and exploration, but is geared to a much higher age group, making it difficult for elementary students to read.

Grades 5+. http://www.mariner.org/age/histvocab.html

Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4

 

Alice Rice

 

13. FANDEX Family Field Guides: The Early Explorers. 1999. By Workman publishing. New York. Picture fact cards.

     These fact fan cards are die-cut images of famous explorers such as Columbus, Von Humboldt, and Marco Polo. Each die-cut card contains a chronological field guide to where each explorer traveled as well as each explorer’s accomplishments. Most appropriate for grades 4-8. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2

 

14. The Road to There: Map Makers and Their Stories. 2003. By Val Ross. Canada: Tundra Books. Informational

     This book includes a variety of stories of explorers such as Captain Cook and the maps they used. This book gives many historical references to mapmakers around the globe. This book includes the history of mapmaking and the politics behind it. Great for higher- level thinking. Grades 5-10. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1

 

15. Before Columbus: The Leif Erickson Expedition. 2003. By Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. New York: Random House. Informational

     This is the story of the first real European to reach North America This story gives truth to the myth that Columbus did not discover North America. Great for higher-level thinking. Appropriate for grades 5-10. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.2

 

16. Follow the Dream: The Story of Christopher Columbus.1991. By Peter Sis. New York: Random house. Picture Book/ informational.

     This beautifully illustrated book shows the life of Christopher Columbus. Information on how his explorations were funded by Queen Isabella is also given. This is a great book for ELL students. Appropriate for grades 3-5. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.2

 

17. Journeys in Time: A New Atlas of American History. 2001. By Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckly. Illustrations By Rodica Prato. Boston, ma: Houghton Mifflin. Picture book/ informational/ reference.

     This book covers journeys in time from 1492-1976. The pages describe why people explore or flee a country. Appropriate for grades 3-8. . Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2

 

18. Exploration and discovery: The Amazing Journeys of the People Who Traveled Our World. 2000. By Simon Adams. London, UK: Southwater Publishing. Pp.22-30. Picture book/ informational.

     The story of Christopher Columbus and other early explorers is covered in detail in this book. The pages include maps, dates, pictures, and illustrations of the early explorations. This book includes the devastation brought to the native people of many lands. Appropriate for grades 4-9. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2

 

19. Real Pirates: Over 20 True Stories of Seafaring Sculdeggery.2003. By Clare Hibbert. Illustrations by John James. New York: Enchanted Lion Books. Picture book/informational.

     This entertaining book gives great information on the true life of a pirate and how they terrorized the oceans. Full of facts about women pirates who fought along with men to the death. A great book for motivating students to learn more about the hardships of early sea travel. Appropriate for grades 3-8.  Social Studies Standards: 5.2.2

 

20. Junior Atlas.1988. By Tony Potter, Nicola Wright, Christine Wilson, and Dee Turner. Illustrated by Lyn Mitchel. Includes an interactive CD. London, UK: McGraw Hill. Picture book/ reference/ informational.

     Great information on maps, map-making, and facts about world countries. A great introduction to map-making. Appropriate for grades 3-6. Social Studies Standards: 5.2.3

 

21. Scholastic Atlas of the World.2001. By Philip Steele and Jane Walker. New York: Scholastic. Picture book/Reference/ informational.

     Beautiful pictures of countries and continents. Important information on map-making as well as historical facts about world countries. Appropriate for grades 4-10. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3

 

 

 

22. See Through Pirates. 2003. By Kelly Davis. Philadelphia, Penn: Running press. Picture book/ informational.

     Fun and interesting facts about the pirates who terrorized the early explorers. Information given about the crew and weapons of pirates. Contains maps of popular pirate areas. Appropriate for grades 2-6. Social Studies Standards: 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3

 

Michelle Freeman-Bonfante

 

23. Extraordinary Hispanic Americans. 1991. Written by Susan Sinnott.  Chicago: Children’s Press.  Informational. Located: Vacaville Public Library ISBN 0-516-00582-0.

An extremely detailed account of the early age of exploration through the twenty-first century (for the purposes of this reading, I would focus on pp. 1-32).  This book includes information on early explorers, such as Christopher Columbus and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.  This book would be most appropriate for grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1 and 5. 2. 2.

 

24. The Great Age of Exploration.  Encyclopedia of Discovery and Exploration. 1971. Written by Duncan Castlereagh. London: Aldus Books Limited. Reference. Located: Vacaville Public Library.

This book contains an enormous amount of information during the period of exploration on pages 84-107 in this book.  This book includes information on the explorers Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes.  Most appropriate for grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1 and 5. 2. 2.

 

25. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. 2003. Written by Jim Whiting. Delaware: Mitchell Lane Publishers. Informational.  Located: Vacaville Public Library. 

ISBN1-58415-146-3

Discusses the life and exploration of the Spanish nobleman, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Also highlights Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes.  Grades 4-7.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1 and 5. 2. 2.

 

26. The World's Great Explorers.  Francisco de Coronado. Chicago: Children’s Press. Informational. Located: Vacaville Public Library.  ISBN.0-516-03068-X.

Describes Coronado's explorations in the southwestern United States in the 1540s, an expedition which revealed for the first time to Europeans the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, the Great Plains, herds of Buffalo, stark deserts, and snow-capped mountain peaks -- yet never the gold the Spaniards so avidly desired. Appropriate for grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1 and 5. 2. 2.

 

27. Coronado: Francisco Vasquez de Coronado Explores the Southwest. Minnesota: Compass Point Books. Informational.  Located: Vacaville Public Library. ISBN 0-7565-0123-7.

Includes an account of Coronado's life.  This book also lists important dates during his life in the form of a timeline and information about other important people during this time period, including Hernan Cortes.  This book is appropriate for grades 3-5.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1 and 5. 2. 2.

 

28. The Man Who Made Time Travel.  Written by Kathryn Lasky. Illustrations by Kevin Hawkes. New York: Melanie Kroupa Books. Located: Vacaville Public Library.  Biography.  ISBN 0-374-34788-3.

Describes the need for sailors to be able to determine their position at sea and the efforts of John Harrison, an eighteenth century man who spent his life refining instruments to enable him to do this.  Discusses importance of latitude and longitude and how instruments were developed to help navigation.  This book is appropriate for grades 3-6.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 2.

 

29. The Era of Exploration and Discovery.  Written by Kathy Sammis. Walch, J. Weston Publisher. 1999. Activity Book. ISBN: 0825133343.

This book contains numerous activities focusing on the era of exploration and discovery.  This book contains activities focusing on grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1, 5. 2. 2, 5. 2. 3, and 5. 2. 4.

 

30. History Pockets: Explorers of North America. Written by Evan-Moor, Graf. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers. Activity Book. 2003. ISBN: 1557999058.

This book includes historical background facts, maps, timelines, arts and crafts activities, reading and writing connections, evaluation forms, and student portfolios.  This books is appropriate for grades 4-6.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1, 5. 2. 2, 5. 2. 3, and 5. 2. 4.

 

31. Multimedia Kits: Age of Exploration CD. Manufactured by Teacher Created Materials Inc. 2001. ISBN: 0743930363.

This is a wonderful resource for both students and teachers.  This CD comes with a book that explains how both a teacher and student can use the CD.  Students can us it to create diagrams with the included clip art.  In addition, students can use the CD to make a newspaper during this time period.  This CD also includes sounds and short movies.  This CD is appropriate for grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 1, 5. 2. 2, 5. 2. 3, and 5. 2. 4.

 

32. Latitude: The Art and Science of Fifteenth-Century Navigation. Website. http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/

This is a helpful website for students to explore the technological developments of sea exploration by latitude and longitude possible.  This website explores who helped development technological devices and how they were used.  This website would be appropriate for grades 5-8.

Fifth Grade Standards -- United States History and Geography 5. 2. 2.

 

 

 

 

Grade 5 History Social Science Content Standards

5.2 Students trace the routes of early explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas.

1. Describe the entrepreneurial characteristics of early explorers (e.g., Christopher Columbus, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado) and the technological developments that made sea exploration by latitude and longitude possible (e.g., compass, sextant, astrolabe, seaworthy ships, chronometers, gunpowder).
2. Explain the aims, obstacles, and accomplishments of the explorers, sponsors, and leaders of key European expeditions and the reasons Europeans chose to explore and colonize the world (e.g., the Spanish Reconquista, the Protestant Reformation, the Counter Reformation).
3. Trace the routes of the major land explorers of the United States, the distances traveled by explorers, and the Atlantic trade routes that linked Africa, the West Indies, the British colonies, and Europe.
4. Locate on maps of North and South America land claimed by Spain, France, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Russia.