Uncharted Territory: David Thompson on the Columbia Plateau Learning Resource Guide Overview: Explorer, fur trader, and mapmaker David Thompson was a pivotal figure in the early exploration of Canada and the Northwestern United States and is considered by many as “the greatest North American land geographer of his time.” Thompson and his party were the first Europeans to travel the full length of the Columbia River. This documentary explores Thompson’s relationships with Native peoples of Canada and North America and sheds light on his dynamic accomplishments as explorer, astronomer, surveyor, and mapmaker. The documentary focuses on the years 1800- 1812—the time period that he explored the Kootenai area of Alberta, south through the Inland Northwest and down the Columbia River to the pacific. Subjects: Social Studies, History, Native American History, Pacific Northwest History, Canadian History Grade Levels: 6-9 Materials: Lesson handouts, laptops/handheld devices, website link: http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/thompson/fur_trade.aspx Learning Guide Objectives: Construct a timeline detailing David Thompson’s significant life events and major accomplishments based on reading a biographical informational text. Analyze primary and secondary sources related to Thompson’s experiences with the fur trade and as a geographer and mapmaker. Washington State Social Studies Standards EALR 3: GEOGRAPHY: 3.1. Understands the physical characteristics, cultural characteristics, and location of places, regions, and spatial patterns on the Earth’s surface. EALR 3: GEOGRAPHY: 3.2. Understands human interaction with the environment. EALR 4: HISTORY: 4.1. Understands historical chronology. EALR 4: HISTORY: 4.2. Understands and analyzes causal factors that have shaped major events in history. EALR 4: HISTORY: 4.3. Understands that there are multiple perspectives and interpretations of historical events. EALR 5: SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS: 5.2. Uses inquiry-based research. Common Core English Language Arts Anchor Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
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Uncharted Territory: David Thompson on the Columbia Plateau
Learning Resource Guide
Overview:
Explorer, fur trader, and mapmaker David Thompson was a pivotal figure in the early
exploration of Canada and the Northwestern United States and is considered by many
as “the greatest North American land geographer of his time.” Thompson and his party
were the first Europeans to travel the full length of the Columbia River.
This documentary explores Thompson’s relationships with Native peoples of Canada
and North America and sheds light on his dynamic accomplishments as explorer,
astronomer, surveyor, and mapmaker. The documentary focuses on the years 1800-
1812—the time period that he explored the Kootenai area of Alberta, south through the
Inland Northwest and down the Columbia River to the pacific.
Subjects: Social Studies, History, Native American History, Pacific Northwest History,
II. Before the Film – Primary and Secondary Source Learning Stations (2 class periods)
1. Warm-up: Introduce the term “primary source”: a document or object from the
past created by people who lived during that time. Explain that primary sources
provide a view into an event or experience that only people living during that
time could have experienced. As a class, create a list of “primary sources”:
letters, diaries, maps, graphs, photographs, paintings/artwork, etc. Briefly discuss
“secondary sources” and give examples.
2. David Thompson primary/secondary source activity: Put students in groups of 4-5
students. Set up 4 learning stations in your classroom. Each “station” should have
2-3 computers and a folder with copies of the associated station activity.
Students should go to the David Thompson, Map Maker, Explorer and Visionary online exhibit and explore the primary sources: http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/thompson/index.aspx
Each station will focus on one section of the online exhibit:
a. Station 1: David Thompson and the Fur Trade
b. Station 2: North America’s Greatest Geographer
c. Station 3: The Later Years
d. Station 4: David Thompsons legacy
Give each group 15-20 minutes to explore one section of the online exhibit,
complete the station activity, and share their findings with the group.
a. Station 1 activity: Quote and image analysis
b. Station 2 activity: To Do List
c. Station 3 activity: Timeline
d. Station 4 activity: Bookshelf
3. Wrap-up: Have students turn to a neighbor and describe David Thompson in 3-5
sentences based on what they learned from their exploration of primary and