1. Brown Gold
Adapted by Ms. Nelson

2. Quick Writes! Define EXPLORATION
How does exploration differ from colonization?
What does this mean to us today? What is left to “explore”?

3. Post Video Discussion
Turn with your table group and discuss the videos. Use the following questions as a guide.
What did you learn about Leif Erickson?
Who do you think really discovered America?
Why do you think there is a debate about who really discovered America?
What do you think it is like to be an explorer?

4. Age of Exploration Simulation
Find the GOLD!

5. You have been chosen….
Today you and your team of explorers will represent your country in a quest for treasure!!!!
Somewhere in the room is treasure and it is your job to find it.
Once you find it, you must bring it back to your King or Queen ….or else risk beheading!!
Teacher begins lesson with a brief oral review of lessons learned about explorers.... as she is asking questions and students are sharing their learning, teacher takes out a small bar of chocolate and unwraps it. She tastes a few pieces, remarking on its smell, texture, yumminess.... giving a few bits to a few students. She asks students questions about the gold the explorers had searched for.. and then tells them that they will pretend to be explorers on a search for gold... not real gold.... but a very large bar of "brown gold" (chocolate) which is hidden in the classroom

6. How the Search for GOLD will work
Brainstorm: Appropriate behavior while searching the world (aka the room) for gold ???

7. How the Search for GOLD will work
Before explorers are sent out, “Countries” must first make a plan/strategy.

8. How the Search for GOLD will work
Explorers are only allowed to look for treasure in one place and report back to their “King” or “Queen” what they found - then they can send the next group out to look another place

9. Countries Represented
Spain – 3 Explorers Portugal – 2 Explorers England – 2 Explorers France – 1 Explorer Netherlands (Holland) – 1 Explorer Native Americans

10. What did you learn about explorers FEELINGS or MOTIVES?
Discussion
What did you learn about explorers FEELINGS or MOTIVES?

11. Now that our quest is done.
Flip to the back of your paper.
Put your name and date at the top.
Label it “exploration simulation”
HOT DOG FOLD IT.

12. Make a T- Chart.
On the left put
SIMULATION
On the Right put
REALITY

13. Simulation Reality Discuss each Simulation Activity with your group and come up with a Reality for each one.
Teacher ate the candy.

14. Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.
You were put into groups representing countries.

15. Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Candy was hidden.

16. Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Candy was hidden.
Students search for candy.

17. Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Candy was hidden.
Students search for candy.
1 group finds candy.

18. Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Candy was hidden.
Students search for candy.
1 group finds candy.
Other students are jealous and angry.