Journals, Sacagawea, and Be the Guide

Student Activity Number Three

Created by Norma E. Bartley

Project Web Page Coordinator Patti Greenleaf

Introduction

Site One: Do you keep a journal and write about your life experiences? Do you know anyone who keeps a journal? Journals are a great way to remember important events that have happened in your life. Lucky for us Americans, Lewis and Clark kept a journal on their Expedition. We are lucky because now, we are able to read that journal and get an idea of what they experienced as they explored the West. Site One allows us to read some journal entries from the Expedition. Sometimes Lewis wrote, sometimes Clark wrote, and sometimes even Sacagawea wrote in this very special journal.

Site Two: We know now that Sacagawea really helped Lewis, Clark, and their men to find their way through the wilderness to the Pacific Ocean. But how important was she really? Could they have been as successful in their journey without her? What do you think? Site two in this activity will answer some questions that you may have about the mysterious guide, Sacagawea.

Site Three: Have you ever read a Choose Your Own Adventure book where depending on decisions you make, that will determine what kind of adventure you have? Site three will give you a chance to take the lead in the Lewis and Clark Expedition and decide which path to take along the way. Will you successfully reach where you need to go? Are you up for the challenge? Good Luck!

Your Task

First print pages 2-4 so you can refer to them throughout this lesson. (Go to File and scroll down to print. Then, where it gives blanks for pages, type in 2-4. Now print.)

Site One: Calendar of Journal Entries
With a partner,

Click on the link called map.
Print the map by clicking on the Print icon (picture) in the top middle area of the task bar above.
Click back on the left side of the task bar to take you back to this page so you can go to the journals link next.
Now that you have the map, go to journals and read the directions.
Select or click on the October link first.
You will see an October calendar and faces on the days. Begin on October 2nd by clicking on the face on that day. You will be taken to the October entry for that day. (The writing has been rewritten so you can understand it easier. But, the message is the same.)
Continue with your partner reading the various journal entries for October. Be sure to read both Lewis' and Clark's entries. Sometimes, Sacagawea will write an entry. You can tell the difference by whose picture you see on the calendar for that day.
Be sure to read them in order.
When you have finished reading at least 17 out of the 29 total entries for October, stop and discuss with your partner what you have learned about their thinking.
Now, the most important part, you will be starting a "Reaction Journal" writing about your reactions to what the Expedition was like in October. For example, you may think that since Clark wrote most of the entries, it sounds like he was the main one in charge. You may also think that Sacagawea sounds like a very strong woman by the way she writes. Whatever you think about the October journals, write your "reactions" down in your own journal using a separate piece of paper. Be sure to include your name, your partner's name and the month you are writing about.
You should have at least five specific reactions like the two examples above.
Be sure to include why you think something. For example, you may think that Sacagawea sounds strong because she uses words that show she knows where she is and where she is going.
Now, follow the Reaction Journal process for the months of November and December. Make sure you are reading most if not all of the entries for each month.
When you are finished, turn in your reaction journal to your teacher.
Now, click back until you get back to these directions so you can go to Site Two.

Site Two: Sacagawea, A True American Heroine

With a partner,

Read the one page research about Sacagawea.
Now, discuss with your partner five ways that Sacagawea played an important role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Open a Word document. [Go to the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen. Click on the top choice that says, New Office Document. Next, double click on the Blank Document icon (picture) and you're in.]
Change the point size from 10 to 18. Use the down arrow next to the number 10.
Type your name and your partner's name at the top with today's date.
Type a paragraph with your partner that summarizes how you think Sacagawea played an important role in the Expedition.
You should have a main idea sentence, at least five detail sentences, and one concluding sentence that ends the paragraph.
Save it on your disk. Name it Sacagawea Paragraph.
When you have finished the paragraph, print it using the Print icon above and turn it in to your teacher.

Site Three: Into the Unknown

With a partner,

Read how the Expedition begins and click on the link that says "you're leading the expedition now" at the bottom of this page.
Read and on the second page your choices of what to do will begin. Only choose one, as Lewis and Clark were only able to go on one path too.
Be sure to discuss with your partner why you want to go a certain way. Make your partner explain their thinking too.
Enjoy the ride!
When you are through, discuss with your partner where you ended up and why you think you ended up there.
Finally, write an essay on a separate piece of paper or a Word document (if you remember how) fantasizing if you were an explorer like Lewis and Clark and you were asked by the President to explore a new and unknown territory, where would you choose to go--the moon, Mars, Pluto, or maybe a faraway galaxy? Write where you would explore and why you would choose to explore that area?

Questions to think about while you write:

How could it help our civilization by knowing more about the area you chose?
Why would we as a human race want to learn more about the area you chose?

How You Will Be Assessed

Site One:

Do you have a Reaction Journal with at least five specific reactions like the examples provided?
Did you include why you think something in your Reaction Journal?
Does the Reaction Journal include the months of October, November, and December?

Site Two:

Did you work with your partner to write the paragraph about Sacagawea?

Does your paragraph about Sacagawea begin with a main idea sentence?
Does your paragraph about Sacagawea include at least five detail sentences that make sense and are based on the site?
Does your paragraph about Sacagawea end with an appropriate concluding sentence?
Were you able to print the Word document and turn in the paragraph to your teacher?

Site Three:

Did you discuss each decision with your partner before you chose your path?
Did you explain your thinking to your partner before deciding on a particular way to go?
Did you discuss with your partner where you ended up and why you think you ended up there?
Did you write an essay sharing where you would explore if you had the same opportunity now as Lewis and Clark had some 200 years ago?

WOW! YOU DID IT! YOU MIGHT BE THE NEXT LEWIS AND CLARK IN THE MILLENNIUM. WHERE WOULD YOU EXPLORE WHERE FEW MEN HAVE GONE BEFORE? THE MOON, MARS, MAYBE EVEN ANOTHER GALAXY...

Activity 1 /Activity 2

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