2. The Age of Exploration was a time when Europeans made contact with the rest of the world. Because of this contact, the world and the people in it were changed forever. Have you ever wondered how your life might be different if Europeans had never explored the Americas? The people of Texas have decided to honor an explorer with a celebration of his life and significance to the state. Read on to find out more.

3. The Texas State Historical Commission has decided to create a celebration to honor an explorer. You have been assigned to a task force that will choose an explorer to promote for this celebration. If your team’s presentation is chosen, you will have the opportunity to design the celebration. Your team will need to create a multimedia presentation to convince a committee of historians that the explorer you chose had the most significant impact upon the state of Texas and should therefore be honored with a celebration. Your multimedia presentation may be a PowerPoint, Prezi, or Imovie. Regardless of what you create, you will need to follow certain steps along the way to make sure your presentation fits the requirements. Check out the rubric to see how you will be graded! rubric

4. Step 1: Your teams will be assigned; however you will be able to choose your explorer. This will be on a first come, first pick basis so you might agree on two or three you think are the most significant to Texas in case you need to select a different one. One member of your team must sign up for the explorer you choose. When each explorer has been selected once, we will start over. Here are your choices: A.Alonso Alvarez de Piñeda B.Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca C.Francisco Vásquez de Coronado D.Hernando de Soto E.Juan de Oñate F.Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle

5. Step 2: Research! Use the resources in the next section to help you compile data on the following:resources 1.Who is your explorer? 2.Which country sponsored your explorer's mission? 3.What was your explorer's goal? Did he accomplish it? 4.Where did he explore? 5.Find a map showing the route your explorer took. 6.What people did your explorer meet? 7.List three facts that describe the way these people lived before your explorer met them. 8.What did your explorer get from the people he met? 9.How did your explorer affect the people he met? Did their culture change? Were their lives affected? 10.How did your explorer’s discovery affect our world and our lives today? 11.How did your explorer impact Texas? Why was this significant? 12.Why should this explorer be honored with a holiday?

6. Mr. Nussbaum - great resource to begin with: Mr. Nussbaum Alonso Alvarez de Piñeda: Alonso Alvarez de Piñeda Piñeda Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca: Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca de Vaca Cabeza de Vaca Francisco Vásquez de Coronado: Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Coronado Hernando de Soto: Hernando de Soto de Soto Juan de Oñate: Juan de Oñate Oñate Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle: Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle LaSalle Sieur de LaSalle Routes Native Americans

7. Step 3: Now that you have completed your research, it is time to create your presentation. Your presentation must answer why you believe your explorer should be honored with a celebration (why is he more significant to Texas history than any other explorer.) Keep in mind, you will be presenting your idea to a panel of historians so your presentation should be professional. Here are your choices: PowerPoint Presentation Design a PowerPoint containing at least 12 slides (each with a picture.) One of the slides must be a title slide (which includes your team member names), one must be a sources slide, and the others should include facts documenting your explorer and his significance to Texas history. Document your sources in MLA format. Use a tool like citation machine or EasyBib to help you with this.citation machineEasyBib Check the rubric to make sure you followed all the requirements.rubric Upload your PowerPoint to ebackpack. Prezi Design a Prezi that includes pictures, significant dates, and information that shows why your explorer should be chosen, and document your sources in MLA format. Use a tool like citation machine or EasyBib to help you with this.citation machineEasyBib Check the rubric to make sure you followed all the requirements.rubric Copy and paste the link to your Prezi into a word document (make sure all team member names are on the document) and upload to ebackpack.

8. Imovie Create a movie that includes 10 facts about your explorer and his significance to Texas history. You may make props if you wish. Each person in the group should have a role in the movie. Document your sources using MLA format. Use a tool such as citation machine or EasyBib to help you with this.citation machineEasyBib Check the rubric to make sure you've followed all the requirements.rubric Record your movie and upload to ebackpack (make sure all team member names are credited in the movie.) Audience Participation Appropriate audience participation is a requirement of this assignment. As you listen to each presentation consider the following questions: What did you learn by viewing this presentation? How did it relate to you? What did it remind you of? You will discuss your thoughts on a group forum in ebackpack. Remember to keep your comments professional and helpful. Keep in mind, they will be commenting about your presentation as well. Focus on the things you liked or found interesting about the presentation. Offer constructive ideas to help them on their next presentation. You will receive a separate grade for your forum participation.

9. Beginning 5 pts. Developin g 10 pts. Accomplished 15 pts. Exemplary 20 pts. Research Student does not answer many research questions. Student answers some research questions. Student answers most research questions. Student answers all research questions. Sources Sources are not accurately documented. All sources are documented, but not in the correct format. Some sources are documented in the correct format. All sources are documented in the correct format. Knowledge Gained Presentation includes 1-2 facts about Explorer. Presentation includes 3-6 facts about Explorer. Presentation includes 7- 9 facts about Explorer. Presentation includes 10 facts about Explorer. Graphics/ Visual Appearanc e The pictures/visual appearance of the presentation do not have anything to do with the Explorer. The pictures/visual appearance of the presentation has little to do with the Explorer. The pictures/visual appearance of the presentation has to do with the Explorer. The pictures/visual appearance of the presentation are creatively related to the Explorer. Clarity/ Neatness The presentation is distractingly disorganized or messy. The presentation is somewhat distractingly disorganized or messy. The presentation is somewhat organized and neat. The presentation is very organized and neat.

10. Congratulations on finishing your presentation. Imagine how different our world would be today without these explorers! Remember, only one team’s presentation will be chosen. The winning team will be announced at a later time and will have the chance to plan the celebration for the Friday after Fair Day.