Hobbies And Interests
Map the Route
Lewis and Clark began by traveling 2,000 miles up the Missouri River as a part of their extensive expedition. Have the students draw a map of Lewis and Clark's route up the Missouri River. Include a timeline on the map that represents how long it took the explorers to travel it. Compare it to a timeline relating to how long it would take a modern boat to travel the same route. The comparison shows the impact of technology and travel progression to the students.
Model Boat
To travel upstream on the Missouri River, Lewis and Clark transported their group on a flat-bottomed boat equipped with a sail and oars, a far cry from a modern speed boat or ship. Have the students create model boat replicates of the boat used by Lewis and Clark. The students can construct the boats out of clay, papier-mâché or even ice cream bar sticks. Have the student write a paper to accompany the model that details the construction of the actual boat, the advantage of a flat-bottomed ship and how the oars and sails were used.
Map the Rivers
Although a Northwest Passage was never found, the area explored is filled with rivers and waterways. Have the students create a map illustrating all the water ways to show how close or far the country is from having such a passageway.
Paddle Race
For a fun and entertaining activity to highlight the end of the Lewis and Clark lesson, have students perform a race using a paddle as Lewis and Clark did as they traveled over the water. Break the students into two teams and equip them each with a raft and a paddle. Position the teams at the edge of a pool. Have one player per team at a time propel themselves across the pool and back using only paddles or ores. The first team to have every member paddle across and back wins. This will illustrate to students how difficult Lewis and Clark's travels were, especially since the whole 2,000 miles was upstream, not to mention strong currents and many obstacles.