Interactive Age of Exploration Lesson Plans
How would it feel to have your Age of Exploration unit completely planned for the next 2 weeks? I’m talking 10 lessons, worksheets, and answer keys completely ready to go.
I’m a former 5th grade teacher myself, so I’ve been in your shoes and understand the struggle of creating meaningful lessons. It often felt like I was running on empty. In particular, I did not have the time, energy, or support to teach social studies well.
Now I work full-time creating US History curriculum because I want to help you fall in love with teaching history and save you time!
My Age of Exploration Unit has been used by hundreds of teachers and has 140+ positive reviews on Teachers pay Teachers. Keep reading to find out why.
What’s included in the Age of Exploration Unit?
- 10 detailed Age of Exploration lesson plans
- 2 weeks of activities
- Pacing guide
- Answer keys (of course!)
- 90+ pages
Your students will…
- …learn about various groups’ experiences during the Age of Discovery and their complex interactions with each other (No mindless memorization here).
- …be excited and engaged (For example , the “Risks of Exploration Simulation” where they experience storms, pirates, and mutiny are guaranteed to be a HUGE HIT!)
- …beg you for more history lessons. Seriously.
You will…
- …save TONS of time because I’ve done all of the heavy lifting for you (this unit took me months to create).
- …feel proud of the way you are teaching your social studies standards.
- …be able to focus on what you love—teaching!
Age of Exploration Table of Contents
Week 1
- Age of Exploration Overview—PowerPoint presentation & KL worksheet
- Meet the European Explorers—Gold, Glory, or God article, informative task cards on famous explorers & student worksheet
- Explorers’ Technology & Routes—Foldable about technological advances & map activity where students draw routes of explorers
- The Life of a Sailor—article about sailing during the Age of Exploration, worksheet & identity cards where students adopt the role of a sailor
- Risks of Exploration Simulation—simulation activity where students experience the risks of exploration through drawing “fate cards” & a student reflection
Week 2
- Native Americans and Europeans: Part 1—articles for 5 Native American civilizations (Inca, Aztec, Maya, Taino, Iroquois) and resources for students to create posters & presentations
- Native Americans and Europeans: Part 2—rubrics for student presentations and note-taking worksheets
- The Atlantic Slave Trade—informative article, artifacts from the slave trade, and reflection worksheet
- The Columbian Exchange—informative article, opinion writing, and interactive notebook sort
- Age of Exploration Reflection—reflection worksheet and discussion instructions
Here’s what teachers are saying about the Age of Exploration Unit
This is a super, engaging resource! The PPT is great and the activities are such a great way to have the kids very involved in their learning!
—Lori W.
This was such an awesome resource. Made my social studies time so much more engaging and meaningful. Thank you for all the time and effort put into this unit!
—Taylor S.
Wonderful resource with engaging activities. My class absolutely loved it. So teacher friendly and easy to use, to o!! Thank you!
—Lisa G.
More Age of Exploration Resources
I’ve created this Age of Exploration Unit because I want to save you TONS of time and help you fall in love with teaching history.
You may also be interested in other resources for teaching the Age of Exploration like primary sources, kid-friendly videos, and a free Columbian Exchange lesson.
Take 20% off the Age of Exploration unit with my Ultimate Savings Bundle . This time-saving bundle allows you to plan your entire U.S. history curriculum in only 5 minutes!
Need more lesson plans? Then explore my popular units:
- Age of Exploration
- 13 Colonies
- Declaration of Independence
- Revolutionary War
- Civil War
