The Journey . . .
That Shaped the West:
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Essentials:
1. Find 5 plants and have 1 picture for each plant.
2. Find 5 animals and have 1 picture for each animal.
3. Write a newspaper article about your group’s findings.
Overview:
You will be placed in an assigned group that consists of three members. You and
your group will divide into three sections: an interpreter, a researcher, and a reporter.
As colleagues, you and your group will work together to complete the task. For the task,
you must identify 5 plants and 5 animals that Lewis and Clark discovered in the St.
Louis, MO area, and you also must find pictures of each of the plants/animals that you
identified. Then, using your results, you will write a newspaper article that describes in
detail what your findings were. Imagine your team as explorers, like Lewis and Clark,
who are surveying and researching a new and uncharted land.
Process: The Keys to Success
1. In your group, select which members will have which role. There are three roles
per group. Each person must take one role. The roles are:
 Researcher
 Interpreter
 Reporter
2. All members must be involved and interact with each other in order to succeed.
Turn in a typed final copy of the article with all of its components. See evaluation
page for grade details.
Role of the Researcher
Determine 5 different animal species and 5 different plant species that Lewis and Clark
found in the St. Louis area during their expedition. Suggestions for sources include:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark/species/ - Click on links for
different animal species under the heading “North American Prairie.”
 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/resources_discoveries_an
imal.html - List of animal species.
 http://lewisandclarktrail.com/nativeplants.htm - List of plant species. Be
sure to examine the date and location of the finding to ensure that it was
found in the St. Louis area.
 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/resources_discoveries_pl
ant.html - List of plant species.
Role of the Interpreter
Locate images of each of the 5 animal species and 5 plant species that the researcher
identified that Lewis and Clark found in the St. Louis area during their expedition.
Suggestions for sources include:
 http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/ - Use the search field to locate an
image for the animal in question.
 http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/ - Insert the scientific name of the plant in
question in the search field and select the image of your choice.
Role of the Reporter
Report the findings of the researcher and the interpreter. Write a short newspaper article
reporting the events as if you were reporting them at the time of the expedition. In the
article, include the 5 animal species and 5 plant species that Lewis and Clark found in the
St. Louis area during their expedition. Elements should include:
 5 animal species
 5 plant species
 Images of all 10 species
 Answers to the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How (when
appropriate)
 Correct Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar
Your grade will be tabulated with 40 points for each part listed below.
 Each group member is to print off and complete:
o Self- evaluation (20 points each)
o Group-evaluation (20 points each)
 When organizing your findings and pictures, check with the Lewis and Clark
Grading Rubric. (15 points each- total of 30 points)
 As you prepare and write your article, keep in mind the Lewis and Clark
Grading Rubric. (30 points)
100-94 = A
93-85 = B
84-76 = C
75-67 = D
67-0 = F
SELF EVALUTION
PROJECT TITLE:_______________________________________________________
GROUP MEMBERS:_____________________________________________________
Please rate your contribution to the group and evaluate the group on a scale from 1 – 5 with 5 being the highest.
INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION:
Name_______________________________
____1. Following teacher’s instructions
____6. Asking for help when needed
____2. Asking meaningful questions
____7. Sharing responsibilities
____3. Contributing ideas and information
____8. Respecting others
____4. Helping the group stay on task
____9. Explaining things to others
____5. Contributing materials
____10. Doing things on time
I could improve on____________________________________________________________________________________________
I rank my contributions to the group as__________because____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
*These 20 points will be combined with points from the Lewis and Clark Grading Rubric and Group Evaluation for your final
grade
GROUP EVALUATION
Student’s name:
Student’s name:
Student’s name:
0-2 points
Followed Teacher’s
Instructions
Asked meaningful
questions
Contributed ideas
and information
Stayed on task and
meeting deadlines
Shared
responsibilities
Respected others
Explained things to
others
Solved problems
within group
Consistent effort
Produced a quality
product
I rank our group’s efforts at working together as______because_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*These 20 points will be combined with points from the Lewis and Clark Grading Rubric and Self Evaluation for your final
grade
Lewis and Clark Project Grading Rubric
30 Points Total
Does Not Meet
Meets
Exceeds
5 plants are identified (15 pts)
1 pt.
5 pts.
N/A
5 animals are identified (15 pts)
1 pt.
5 pts.
N/A
1 pt.
Work contains 5 +
spelling, punctuation, or
grammatical errors.
5 pts.
Work contains less than 5
spelling, punctuation, or
grammatical errors.
N/A
Work contains 2 or less
spelling, punctuation or
grammatical errors.
1 pt.
The article is incomplete
and references less than 5
findings from Tasks 1
and 2.
3 pts.
The article is complete, but
contains only 5 -9 findings
from Tasks 1 and 2. Work
contains less than 5 spelling,
punctuation, or grammatical
errors.
5 pts
The article accurately reflects
findings from Tasks 1 and 2.
7 pts.
14 pts.
20 pts.
10 pictures (5 plants, 5 animals) (5 pts)
Article Mechanics (5 pts)
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar
Article (20pts)
(Elements should include answers to
questions such as Who, What, When,
Where, Why, and How [when
appropriate])
TOTAL: 60 POINTS
*These 60 points will be combined with the points from the evaluations for your final grade.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You are now an explorer
with Lewis and Clark!
Can you spot the error made on the Lewis and Clark
Special Edition State of Missouri Quarter?