Student Teaching Lesson Plan Outline

Introduction
• Age of Discovery
• Length of Lesson (estimated) – 90 minutes
• VA Standards of Learning – WHII.4 section A: The student will
demonstrate knowledge of the impact of the European Age of Discovery and
expansion into the Americas, Africa, and Asia by explaining the roles of explorers
and conquistadors;

Learning Objectives
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the impact of the European Age of Discovery and
expansion into the Americas, Africa, and Asia by explaining the roles of explorers and
conquistadors;

Teaching and Learning Sequence

Introduction/Anticipatory Set – Upon entering class students will be read an excerpt from the
book “Last Voyage of Columbus: The Epic Tale of the Great Captain's Fourth Expedition,
Including Accounts of Mutiny, Shipwreck, and Discovery” by Martin Dugard. The reading will
challenge students to reconsider the way history has depicted Christopher Columbus as a folk
hero by discussing his legacy from a native perspective. Approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Lesson Development – Students will then be given maps and a list of terms to fill out during
lecture. The lecture will discuss the political and economic impact of the European Age of
Discovery on both the old and the new world. The lecture will also explain the role of key
figures, mainly explorers and conquistadors, as well as the major events, voyages and conflicts.
The lesson will be presented by powerpoint and consist of images of key figures, maps of
exploration routes and territorial claims. Students will be asked questions throughout the lecture
that will require them to reflect, check for understanding and share their opinions with the class.
Approximately 30 - 40 minutes.
After the lecture students will be handed a timeline consisting of dates that represent a key event
during the Age of Discovery. Students will be divided into small groups and instructed to fill out
the timeline using their lecture notes and classmates. The students will be encouraged to recall
and discuss the events that occurred on the dates in question quietly amongst their groups. This
activity will provide students an opportunity to verbalize their thoughts on the material; as well
as put major events into chronological order for better understanding. The teacher will circulate
around the classroom to make sure students are on task, to facilitate discussion and answer
question. Maps, lecture outlines and timelines will be checked for completion and content
understanding. Approximately 15 – 20 minutes.

Closure – After the timeline activity the teacher will read a final set of historical accounts
dealing with the European expansion into the Americas, Africa, and Asia. One account will be
from a European perspective and one will be from the native perspective to give students a more
contemporary and balanced view of the age of exploration. For homework each student will be
encouraged to review their lecture notes, maps and timelines for an upcoming unit test.
Approximately 5 – 10 minutes.

Homework
Each student will be responsible for reviewing their lecture notes, maps and timeline for an
upcoming unit test.

Assessment
Formative – Throughout the lecture the instructor will continually assess student understanding
through questioning and classroom discussions. The teacher will monitor participation during
group activities and check for completion to make sure maps, outlines and timelines are
completed to ensure that students are on task.

Summative – Students will be tested in the form of a 40 question multiple choice examination.
The test will be given at the end of the unit based on material discussed and completed during
class that includes the lecture outlines, maps and timelines.

References
"Curriculum Framework." Virginia Department of Education. 2001. Web. Oct. 2009.
<www.doe.virginia.gov>.

"Enhanced Scope and Sequence.” Virginia Department of Education. 2001. Web. Oct. 2009.
<www.doe.virginia.gov>.

"Virginia Standards of Learning." Virginia Department of Education. 2001. Web. Oct. 2009.
<www.doe.virginia.gov>.

Appended Materials

Dugard, Martin. The Last Voyage of Columbus Being the Epic Tale of the Great Captain's
Fourth Expedition, Including Accounts of Mutiny, Shipwreck, and Discovery. New York: Back
Bay Books, 2006. Print.

Koch, Peter O. To the Ends of the Earth The Age of the European Explorers. Boston: McFarland
& Company, 2003. Print.