1. European Claims in the Americas
Today we will…
1. simulate an exploration event
2. reconstruct the geography of early exploration & colonization.
Papers from the table
Take out HW (Primary
vs. Secondary Sources)
European Claims in the Americas

2. Age of Exploration Simulation
Find the GOLD!

3. 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, it is your decision on whether to keep it or bring it back to your country…. YOU DECIDE!!!
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

4. Countries Represented
Spain – 3 Explorers Portugal – 2 Explorers England – 2 Explorers France – 1 Explorer Holland – 1 Explorer
Not every country has equal resources or drive to explore. Therefore, when dividing the class, MAKE SURE Spain has the MOST members & France/Holland should have the LEAST members. Portugal should have slightly more than England. IMPORTANT: Once class is divided, the group will only send the above allotted # of explorers out at a time. See next slide.

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

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

7. How the Search for GOLD will work
Explorers are only allowed to look for treasure in ONE PLACE at a time, reporting back to the “Country”, then receiving permission from the KING (aka Mr. Berlanda) to explore again.

8. How the Search for GOLD will work
When the “treasure” is discovered, the explorer may return it to his/her “Country” where it will be evenly divided & shared.

9. Explorer Simulation
Simulation Reality
Teacher ate the chocolate.

10. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.

11. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.

12. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).

13. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).

14. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).

15. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Students search for candy.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).

16. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Students search for candy.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).
Explorers sent to new world.

17. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Students search for candy.
1 group finds candy.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).
Explorers sent to new world.

18. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).
Explorers sent to new world.
Successful countries find gold.
Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Students search for candy.
1 group finds candy.

19. Simulation Reality Explorer Simulation Teacher ate the chocolate.
You were put into groups representing countries.
1 Chocolate bar was hidden.
Students search for candy.
1 group finds candy.
Other students are jealous and angry.
Spain discovers gold in the new world.
European countries compete for Claims (resources).
Gold was rare (hidden).
Explorers sent to new world.
Successful countries find gold.
Other countries are jealous and angry.