Embedded Files
The Golden Age of Exploration
Opening Bell:
Drop Inn & Review
Opening Bell:
Drop Inn & Review
4 Parts to a Drop Inn:
Drop Inn #6 or #7
The Date: 9/23/2026
The Writing - What is on your mind.
The Art - Simple visual.
Pre Lesson:
What did Europeans think the world looked like in 1507?
In 1507, maps looked completely different because European explorers only knew about three continents:
Europe, Africa, and Asia. They believed the Atlantic Ocean directly connected Europe to Asia, with no land in between.
Chapter #4 - The Golden Age of Exploration -
Week of Sept 21st - 25th
Instructional Goal #4 (IG):
Identify the reasons for European exploration using evidence from history.
PAGE 5 Workbook
COPY VOCABULARY WORDS IN NOTEBOOK:
Power is the ability to influence people.
Wealth: Having a large amount of money, lands, and other valuable things.
Morality: Ideas about what is right and wrong behavior.
Power, Wealth, Morality Pop Culture Reading
#5 Read to your partner.
Together, talk about Power, Wealth, and Morality,
then rank them from 1 to 3
(1 = Most Important, 3 = Least Important).
If you could choose only one of these concepts to have in your life,
which would you choose? Why?
1. Power Rank: (1, 2 or 3)
Think about Darth Vader from Star Wars or Elsa from Frozen. With a single command, Darth Vader can direct whole fleets of Star Destroyers and thousands of Stormtroopers across the galaxy. Elsa’s magical abilities give her the power to build an entire ice castle and control the climate of Arendelle. Power is having the strength or authority to direct others, shape events, and change the world around you.
2. Wealth Rank: (1, 2 or 3)
Think about Tony Stark (Iron Man) or Batman (Bruce Wayne). They don't just have normal savings—they own massive tech corporations, giant mansions, underground labs, and a fleet of high-tech suits and vehicles. Their vast financial resources allow them to build or buy anything imaginable. Wealth is having a huge store of money, property, and valuable assets.
3. Morality Rank:(1, 2 or 3)
Think about Spider-Man (Peter Parker) remembering Uncle Ben’s lesson: "With great power comes great responsibility." Even when Peter is tired or could use his superpowers to win easy prize money, his inner sense of duty stops him from taking the easy way out. He chooses to protect people and do what is right. Morality is the inner compass that helps you choose right over wrong, even when it isn't easy.
#6 - Explain your choice: I think ____________________
is the most important concept because
#7 - Student Task
#7 - Student Task
Turn to page 5 in your Passport Workbook. Under each topic heading, brainstorm and list 6 things that come to mind when you think of that concept:
Power: List 6 words, examples, or characters you think of when you read about Power.
Wealth: List 6 words, examples, or characters you think of when you read about Wealth.
Morality: List 6 words, examples, or characters you think of when you read about Morality.
PAGE 5
Art Analyses Image Page 30
Student Feedback and Responses
Colorized Image:
Possible Answers:
Anchor Chart
Vocabulary Connection
Exploration: What is one new place you would like to explore? Why?
Could be a specific place or region.
Reading and Comprehension for Context
Why Did Europeans Want to Explore?
Why Did Europeans Want to Explore?
About 500 years ago, many Europeans wanted to explore places they had never seen before. Marco Polo wrote exciting stories about Asia, describing cities filled with silk, spices, gold, and other valuable goods. His stories made many people want to find a faster way to reach Asia.
One explorer, Vasco da Gama, sailed around Africa to reach India. He wanted to find a new trade route so Portugal could buy spices and other goods without using the old routes controlled by other countries.
Christopher Columbus believed he could reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. Instead, he reached islands in the Americas. Spain hoped his voyage would bring new land, wealth, and valuable resources.
European leaders also wanted to spread Christianity. Documents from Spain and the Pope said explorers should teach their religion to the people they met. They also wanted to claim new lands for their kings and queens.
European exploration was driven by many motivations, including trade, wealth, religion, land, and fame. These motivations changed history and led to lasting contact between Europe and the Americas.
Why Would YOU Explore?
"If you could only choose ONE reason to risk your life sailing across the ocean, which would it be?"
In your group, decide on one and why.
💰 Trade – Buy and sell valuable goods.
💎 Wealth – Become rich by finding gold or spices.
✝️ Religion – Teach people about your religion.
🗺️ Land – Find new land for your country.
⭐ Fame – Become famous for discovering new places.
"If you could only choose ONE reason to risk your life sailing across the ocean, which would it be?"
Assessment / Exit Ticket
Historical Dilemma: What Would You Do?
Assessment / Exit Ticket
Historical Dilemma: What Would You Do?
Imagine you are a young person living in Europe during the Age of Exploration.
Life is difficult. Your family has very little money, and the place where you live can be dangerous. You do not see many opportunities for your future.
The Queen makes you an offer:
Take a dangerous voyage across the ocean to the New World. If you go, you could receive money and land and have the chance to build a better life.
But there is a problem.
You have heard that people already live on this land and that you may be ordered to take their land or treat them badly. You have also heard people call them “savages” and claim they are very different from you—but you do not know if these stories are true.
What Would You Do?
What Would You Do?
Would you take the Queen’s offer and go on the voyage, or would you stay home?
Explain your decision in 3–4 sentences.
Think about:
💰 Your need for money
🏠 The promise of land
🌊 The danger of the voyage
👥 The people already living there
🗣️ Whether you should believe the rumors you have heard
⚖️ Whether getting a better life for yourself is worth possibly hurting others
Linking the Past to the Present
Make a Connection
Make a Connection
Think about the reason you chose to explore:
Trade, Wealth, Religion, Land, or Fame.
Now imagine you were starting your own social media site
or channel today.
Would the same reason that motivated you to explore also motivate you to start a social media site? Why or why not?
For example, would you do it to make money, share your beliefs, become famous, connect with others, or for another reason?
Explain your answer in 2–3 sentences.
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