Lewis and Clark’s First
Discoveries
Lewis and Clark First Discovery Description
Goal: Research the exploration of Lewis and Clark. Write, record, or act out the
discoveries of the expedition and include a sketch of each discovery. Create your own
specimen box just like Lewis and Clark. Include one endangered animal from each of
the three categories (Prairie Animal, Northern Rocky Animal, Pacific Northwest
Animal) and include a sketch or labeled picture.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.7
Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text
(e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
Materials: Lewis and Clark resources, Netbooks, Rubrics, Description, Writing Process
Checklist, Writing Process classroom tracker, Specimen Box and items
Helpful Websites: (All found on our Fifth Grade Website)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/lewis_and_clark.php
http://mrnussbaum.com/lcflash/
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/lewisandclark/
http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/americanhistory/lewisandclarkexpedition/
Requirements: You must include the following information:
-Include types of plants they found and include sketch or labeled picture.
-Include types of animals they found and include sketch or labeled picture.
-Include types of people they found and include sketch or labeled picture.
-Include types of land they found and include sketch or labeled picture.
-Include types of water they found and include sketch or labeled picture.
-Your individual Specimen Box with six items.
-Include one endangered animal from each category and sketch or labeled picture.
Specimen Box: Lewis collected plants, rocks, and other materials to share and study
with others. Collect six objects around your community and place them in a box that
is sectioned off for each object. Include a notecard explaining each object. You also
need to include and answer the following questions:
What does the specimens tell you about your community?
How are some of the items alike or different?
Lewis and Clark First Discoveries Rubric
Name:____________________
5 Points
4 Points
3 Points
2 Points
0 Points
Specimen Box
The student
includes six
items and all
are labeled
and described.
The student
has 4-5 items
and they are
labeled and
described.
The student
has 1-3 items
and they are
labeled and
described.
The student
has items but
they are not
labeled or
described.
The student
does not
have a
specimen
box.
First
Discoveries
Projects
Meets
Requirements
The student
answers all of
the questions
in the journal,
recorded, or
acted out.
The student
only answers
some of
questions in
the journal,
recorded, or
acted out. But
the student
answers a
majority.
The student
only answers
half of the
questions in
the journal,
recorded, or
acted out.
The student
answers two
of the
questions in
the journal,
recorded, or
acted out.
The student
answered
one or zero
of the
questions in
the journal,
recorded,
or acted
out.
Sketches
The student
uses sketches
that enhance
each
discovery. It
is easy to
understand
why the child
chose these
pictures.
The student
uses a sketch
but they do
not
compliment
each
discovery.
________
The student
has sketches
that do not
truly go with
each
discovery.
There are
no visuals.
Fact
Accuracy
All facts are
accurate and
the student
sites his or
her sources.
All facts are
accurate.
OR
The student
sites his or
her sources.
There is one
inaccuracy
and the
student sites
his or her
sources.
There are 34 facts that
are mistaken.
There are
more than 4
inaccurate
facts.
Endangered
Animal Map
The student
chose 3
animals in
different
regions and
mapped each
location.
The student
missed one
aspect.
The student
missed 2
aspects.
The student
missed 3
aspects.
The student
missed 4 or
more
aspects.
Spelling and
Grammar
There are no
spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
There is only 1
spelling or
grammar
mistake.
There are 24 spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
There are 45 spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
There are
more than 5
spelling
mistakes.
Total:
/30
List of Various Endangered Species of Animals
Discovered by Lewis and Clark
Directions: This is a list of some of the various animals the Lewis
and Clark expedition discovered when exploring the Louisiana
Territory. The animals below, although once plentiful, are now on
the endangered species list. Pick one animal from each region to
research. Write about the animal and illustrate the animal. You can
sketch or use a picture, but it must be labeled. Then on the map
provided, label where you would find the endangered animal. Circle
the animal in each region that you will research.
Prairie Animals
Northern Rocky
Animals
Pacific
Northwest
Animals
Bison
Grizzly Bear
Northern Spotted Owl
Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Gray Wolf
Woodland Caribou
Burrowing Owl
Bull Trout
Oregon Spotted Owl
Badger
Elk
Sea Otter
Black-footed Ferret
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Pacific Salmon
Swift Fox
Mountain Goat
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Pallid Sturgeon
Trumpeter Swan
Pygmy Rabbit
Interior Least Tern
Cougar
Canada Lynx
Pronghorn
Greater Sage Grouse
Wolverine
Greater Prairie Chicken
Bighorn Sheep
Fisher
Whooping Crane
Clark’s Nutcracker
Piping Player
Topeka Shiner
List of Various Endangered Species of Animals
Discovered by Lewis and Clark
Directions: In the box below write each endangered animal you
selected in each region. Then, research each animal and take notes.
Use the box below to add a sketch or drawing.
Prairie Animal
Northern Rocky
Animal
Pacific
Northwest
Animal
Research Information:
Research Information:
Research Information:
Sketch or Picture
Sketch or Picture
Sketch or Picture
Label where you would find each of your endangered animals. Make sure
you have one animal from each category (Prairie Animal, Northern Rocky
Animal, and Pacific Northwest Animal)