An adventure into the unknown… A Webquest on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

1. An adventure into the unknown… A Webquest on the Lewis and Clark Expedition Introduction Task Process Background Information Possible Jobs Game Evaluation

2. INTRODUCTION This is where it all begins. On January 18, 1803, in a secret message to Congress, President Thomas Jefferson called for an expedition into the uncharted West.  Jefferson, believing that the possession of the Northwest Passage was necessary for control of North America, appointed Meriwether Lewis to lead a group of men to the Pacific Ocean.  Lewis, an expert in botany, the study of plants, and zoology, the study of animals, knew that he could not lead alone.  He asked William Clark, a friend of his from the army, to join him.  Clark's expertise was in native cultures and map making.  Together, the two friends would lead "The Corps of Discovery" on one of the most memorable expeditions in American History... ...and venture into the unknown. Captain Lewis and Clark are still looking for a few good volunteers to go along on their adventure into the wilderness.  Will you be brave enough to join them?  They will be leaving soon.  Hurry and pack your bags.  Don't forget to bring all the paper you can and a writing utensil in order to record the amazing new spectacles you'll see.  You should be prepared to take notes on what you do; after all, your fellow travelers are depending on you.  By making a game/map of your adventure, you will be revealing the secrets of the unknown world to the rest of America! Image courtesy of National Geographic

3. THE TASK From the Top of the Rocky Mountains to the depths of the Missouri River, the Western United States is calling out to you, "Come discover my many mysteries!"  It is your job to become an expert member of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.  You will participate in research by: sifting though real journal entries written by Lewis and Clark; studying old maps and letters; examining photographs of strange looking animals and plants; stomping through the rivers and swamps with Sacagawea, uncovering the life of the Native Americans... viewing lands and rivers that had never been seen before by Americans back East. You will do all of your research using the Internet!  However, you don't  want to forget what you discovered.  Therefore, while plowing through the West, be sure to record your findings in your field journal.  After all, you need to be able to keep Thomas Jefferson informed of your experience! Lewis and Clark are counting on you to do just that. Once you have completed your journey, you and your group will be required to share your findings with one another. This is the time when each of you can learn about one another's fields. Once this is completed, you will be challenged to relive your journey.  This will be done by creating a board game depicting the trail of Lewis and Clark.  Since you have already completed this trek once, it shouldn't be that difficult!  Refer to your journal in order to recall events and information.

4. PROCESS Congratulations!  You are about to embark on one of the most important journeys of discovery in the history of the United States.  Before you start, you be given a team of three other people to work with.  The other members of your group are your fellow Corps mates.  It is important that you work well with these group members. By reading the following information, you will be able to get a good feel for what is ahead of you on your journey!  Good Luck. Mrs. Zimmermann’s Class Mrs. Bell’s Class

5. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The year is 1804. You have decided to travel with the Corps of Discovery from Washington, D.C. to St. Louis, Missouri, where Lewis and Clark will begin their trek into the unknown.  You have already spent a year preparing from your trip, collecting supplies, and going through training.  You are told that you will be working for the United States Government in hopes of gaining knowledge on plants, animals, Native Americans, and the geography of the West.  You have been supplied with journals to record pictures and maps, and you have consulted other experts in your field to gain knowledge.  First, let's find out about the people with whom you will be traveling.

6. BACKGROUND INFORMATION All of the members of the Corps have already spent time studying information which will be useful to them.  Visit the following web sites to catch up! Warning:  This trip may be dangerous, but it is necessary.  Learn about America in 1803 and why it is important to make this daring voyage. You are going to have to put all your trust in your fearless leaders.  Discover more about Meriwether Lewisand William Clark and why they are the perfect leaders.

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION So, what's the verdict?  Do you think you can make it?  Then, quick, let's double check that you have packed everything you need to be fully equipped for this expedition. Now let's get into the meat (you'll be eating lots of it!) of this expedition and find out about what you can expect in the trip ahead! You are about to travel hundreds of miles in just under three years.  Check out this timeline of the trek to get a feel for the trail. Bears, Buffalo, warrior Native American tribes, snowstorms, rainstorms, no food, and more.  Are you still willing to go?  Don't worry, you will always have Seaman the dog to keep you company in times of trouble.

8. POSSIBLE JOBS We're so glad you have chosen to be a part of this expedition.  You have done all your important research and now its time to head out on your way!  However, don't forget that you are an expert in your field and Lewis and Clark are counting on you to gather as much useful information as possible. You need to choose one of the following fields of expertise: Botanist Zoologist Topographer Native American Relations Expert

9. GAME Now that you have traveled the trail with Lewis and Clark, you and your group will be required to create a board game that will map out journey for the rest of the class. Follow the directions below in order to complete this task successfully. You are the expert in your field. Your group is counting on you to bring all of your knowledge with you. So be sure that you refer to your field journal to help you remember everything you learned. Step 1 You each must share your journal entries with your group mates. This will allow you to become familiar with what you have each discovered. You will need to take notes as you each share your journals. This will help you be better prepared to create your game. Step 2 Now that you have each had the chance to share the knowledge you have gained on your journeys I want to make sure that you are really ready to re-create the trail. As a group I would like you and your group members to take a virtual test of the journey by clicking on the link below. When you are finished be sure to click on the map of your journey to help you construct your game. GO WEST ACROSS AMERICA WITH LEWIS AND CLARK!

10. GAME • Now that you and your team have taken the virtual test you are ready to begin making your game. • You will each need to do the following independently: • Create 10 question cards for the game. Place the answer in small print at the bottom of the card. When you play the game a fellow group member will read the question to the player who will try to answer it Here are two examples: • What was the name of the Indian woman who helped Lewis and Clark? Answer: Sacagawea • What was the problem when the Corps reached a large fork in the Missouri River? • A) They hit a rock and sank. • B) Lewis and Clark would only go down the right side of the river for fear of grizzly bears. • C) They did not know which fork to follow in order to reach the West the most quickly. • D) They turned around and started their trek home. • Answer: C • Represent your area of expertise on the actual game board with at least two pictures of images of items you discovered or saw while on the trail. They can be decorations (placed anywhere on the game board) or illustrations (placed in the actual spot on the trail where they were found or seen) • Images copied and downloaded from the internet • Drawings or sketches that you have made of animals, plants, landforms, etc. • *Remember, select the size of your pictures according to how much space is available on your board.*

11. GAME • Now that you have each taken care of your individual responsibilities you need to get to together to construct your game. Please follow the following guidelines when constructing your game board: • Design the game board in the form of a map of the trail. The general trail should go from St. Louis and back to St. Louis. You may choose either to have the players reach Oregon and then turn around and follow the same squares back, or you may make the squares separate, but close to each other, knowing that the Corps followed basically the same trail to and from St. Louis. Remember that around the Marias and Missouri River that Lewis and Clark split up on the way back to St. Louis. • Your game board should include the area of the United States where the journey took place, not the whole US. For a good example of the area you should use, return to the map at the end of your virtual tour of the trail. • Your game board must have at least 20 squares or spaces. • You may use squares, footprints, or whatever mark you wish your players to follow as they circulate the US. • You may use whatever kind of game piece you like, but remember, they should be distinctly different (color, shape, etc.) so that the players can tell their pieces from the others. • Select 5 major events on the journey to label on the game board. These labels should be written neatly or typed. They should help guide students who have never studied Lewis and Clark… now you are a teacher as well as an expert. These can be located wherever as long as they look appropriate. Example: In 1805, the Corps spent a long, cold winter traveling over the Rocky Mountains.

12. GAME • Rules of the Game: • Each player gets one game piece, beginning on the start square of the game (St. Louis). • The player with the highest role of the dice begins. • The first player roles the dice and travels the number of squares accordingly. • If the player lands on a box that indicates a question, then a fellow player must read the question to him. • Correct Answer=Take another turn • Incorrect Answer=Turn is over • If the player lands on a square with a direction (Example: Snow storm, go back 2 spaces or Grizzly bear attacks- must hide in a tree, skip next turn) • First person to return to St. Louis (the beginning) WINS!!!! • ***The rules are just a guideline for you to follow. You may add or create new rules for your groups game. Be creative!!***

13. GAME • You may use any or all of the materials below to create your board game: • Game board sized paper or poster board • Construction paper • Markers/Paint • Game Pieces • 1 Die • 40 question cards or 30 if you only have 3 people in your group • Any other materials that might make your game board more creative or look more real! Be sure to ask your teacher for any materials that you may need. We have lots of things you can use!!!

14. EVALUATION You will be evaluated as an individual as well as a group. Your journal and your game will be graded according to the following rubrics: Journal Rubric

15. EVALUATION Game Rubric

16. EVALUATION Breakdown of Points Individual Total= 20 points Group Total= 20 points Total Points Available: 40

17. BOTANIST Image courtesy of  Watershed Stewards  Project I met with a singular plant today in bloom of which I preserved a specimen; it grows on the steep side of fertile hills near this place... ~Meriwether Lewis, June 1, 1806 Responsibilities:Your vast knowledge of plants and ecosystems has allowed you to become the botanical expert in the Corps of Discovery!  There are over 122 new species of plant waiting to be discovered!  Because many of the plants you will find have never been seen before, the Corps is counting on you to collect specimens and to use your knowledge of botany to identify these new species.  It is your responsibility to take notes in your field journal as you travel so that you will have detailed information to bring to the scientists back East.  You will also need this information to create your ten questions for the game.  Be sure to answer the following questions as you travel so that your journal will be accurate!

18. BOTANIST Questions:1.  Where do you find this plant along the trail? 2.  If the Indians use this plant, what do they use it for? 3.  Is it a flower, a tree, or something else? 4.  What does this plant look like? 5.  Do Lewis and Clark use this plant for any particular purpose? 6.  Specifically, what were the name of the two plants Lewis and Clark found?  Describe them. Web Sites: You can't study plants without your tools of the trade!  Find out more about one of your most important tools here. See all the magnificent flowers that Lewis and Clark encountered on the trail. Find out more about the The Douglas Fir Tree and Oregon Grape.

19. Zoologist "The brown white or grizzly bear are found in the rocky mountains in the timbered parts of it or Westerly side but rarely; they are more common below the rocky Mountain on the borders of the plains where there are copses of brush and underwood near the watercourses. They are by no means as plenty on this [the western] side of the rocky mountains as on the other." ~Meriwether Clark, JournalsResponsibilities:As the Zoologist, you will be responsible for studying the animals you and your fellow Corps members encounter while on your expedition.  There are over 178 different species waiting to be discovered!  While searching, not only should you enter the data you find into your field journal, but you should be making sketches of the animals you find to use as images on your game board.  Answer each of the following questions in your field journal.

20. Zoologist Questions:1. What animals do you encounter that you have never seen before? 2. Can you describe these animals? Include details about their color, size, and ferocity. 3. Where do you see these animals?  Describe their surroundings or habitat. 4. What animals do you eat for dinner?  What animals did you run from for fear of them eating you for dinner? 5. Did you take any animals home with you? 6. Record any interesting facts that you come across in your field journal. Web sites: Lewis and Clark were impressed by land animals and water animal.  See the detailed picture that Clark drew of a white salmon trout. Sometime referred to as Bison and other times called Buffalo, this majestic animal was the subject of many journal entries. The woodpecker is just one of the many birds that were new species seen by the Corps.  Did they discover any other bird species that were similar to the woodpecker?  A new fish, called an Eulachon has many bright colors.  What do the journals say about it? An animal called an elk was extremely important to you.  Find out why. Learn what other experts say in your field about the animals you discovered.  Be sure and click on the interviews.

21. TOPOGRAPHER "...I discovered immense ranges of high mountains still to the West of us with their tops partially covered with snow.  I now descend the mountain about 3/4 of a mile to a handsome bold running Creek of cold Clear water.  here I first tasted the water of the great Columbia River." ~Meriwether Lewis, August 12, 1805 Responsibilities:Your bag is packed with food, clothes, and most importantly, plenty of paper to record the land you see.  You feel that no mountain will be too big to climb, no river too deep to cross.  You, as the topographer (one who studies maps, and landforms, in this case) must be brave, for your job is an important one.  You will be the Corps member who studies and takes notes on all the mountains, prairies, streams, rivers, and any other important part of the terrain.  In order to be prepared for the 10 questions that you will be required to write for the game, you must use your field journal to record major landforms and waterways.  If you complete your job successfully, you and your fellow members will have an accurate map to use as your game board.

22. TOPOGRAPHER Questions:1. Approximately how many miles long do you think the trail is?  (Check using the scale on a real map) 2. What major river did the Corps set out on from Saint Louis, Missouri? 3. How would you go about making a map of what you find?  What did Lewis and Clark use to make their maps?  Where did they stand to get a feel for the land? 4. Who were the three forks in the river named after? 5. What was the most difficult part of the journey to navigate, in your opinion? 6. You just set your eyes upon the ocean that you have been traveling toward for more than a year.  How do you react?

23. TOPOGRAPHER Links: Before you begin to investigate the landforms of the West, take a look at these maps to get a basic idea of the area you will be traveling.  Click on both map 1 to enlarge them! After traveling down the calm Missouri River, Lewis and Clark's expedition approached the Gates of the Rockies. Find out why they were a little surprised! As you are traveling down the river, Sacagawea spots Beaver Head Rock.  Find out why this sighting was so important to the group. (Scroll down the page to find a picture and information.) Naming the Three Forks that Lewis and Clark came to in the Missouri River was tough.  Check out this journal entry that Lewis wrote about it.  Who would you name a river after? Take a look at what Lewis and Clark saw when they finally reached the Ocean.

24. Native American Relations Expert "Another cloudy morning. The men reloaded the canoes and we set out 9 a.m. We passed four different islands and went through fifteen rapids which we were fortunate enough to escape. Along the way we passed many camps of Indians. At one of these camps we met up with the two Chiefs who we waited for yesterday.  After a ceremony of smoking they agreed to join us... ...The white men have so much and the Indians have so little. I am tired. Today has been very long." -Sacagawea, October 8, 1805, East of Lewiston, ID Responsibilities:You have been selected to join the Lewis and Clark expedition because of the expertise you possess in dealing with Indians. There are over 50 different tribes along the trail the Corps of Discovery will travel, so your job is one of the most important in the Corps!  Many of the tribes you will encounter have never been seen before, and Lewis and Clark need you to use your knowledge of native cultures to develop peaceful relations with these tribes.  Be sure to take careful notes in your field journal about what kinds of native people you meet!  You will need this information to bring back home with you to share with everyone who has no knowledge of these tribes, and to create your ten questions for the game!

25. Native American Relations Expert Questions:1. Where does each Indian tribe live?  In what state (according to a present day map) do you find these tribes during the expedition? 3. Are the tribes peaceful or do they try to attack the Corps? 4. How do the Indian people help or hurt the expedition? 5. Do the Indians farm, hunt, or gather in order to live? 6. Record any interesting facts you find on your web sites! Web sites: Lewis and Clark had an interesting way of greeting the Indians. Make sure you read about the meeting ceremony so you can also perform this ritual! In the fall of 1804, the expedition encountered the Mandan Indians. Find out more about the Mandans. While visiting the Mandans, the Corps met Sacajawea. Find out how Sacagawea was important and helpful to Lewis and Clark. Sacajawea was a Shoshone. The Shoshones lived around the Rocky Mountains. Find out how the Shoshones reacted to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Salish Indians gave Lewis and Clark lots of help during September of 1805.  Why should the Corps be grateful to the Salish? The Blackfeet Indians reacted differently to the Corps of Discovery compared to other tribes. Find out more about the Blackfeet here! The Nez Perce Indians feel as though they have not been given enough credit for their help of Lewis and Clark.  Find out why in two interviews with Nez Perce Indians.