Early Explorers Primary Sources are just what teachers need to help students learn how to analyze primary sources in order to meet Common Core State Standards!

Students participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations of history using historical documents. Students make observations, generate questions, organize information and ideas, think analytically, write persuasively or informatively, and cite evidence to support their opinions, hypotheses, and conclusions. Students learn how to integrate and evaluate information to deepen their understanding of historical events.

The 20 Early Explorers Primary Sources are: 

• Excerpt from Christopher Columbus’ letter to King Ferdinand of Spain – 1493
• Engraving of Christopher Columbus by Johann Theodor de Bry – published 1595
• Engraving of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León
• Portrait of Christopher Columbus by Sebastiano del Piombo – 1519
• Map of the Aztec island city of Tenochtitlán made by one of Hernán Cortés’ men – 1524
• Illustration showing Hernán Cortés and his interpreter meeting Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II in 1519 – created circa 1550
• Map of the world by Abraham Ortelius – 1570
• Map of St. Augustine (Florida) – 1589
• Illustration from a 16th century map of Ferdinand Magellan’s ship Victoria, the first ship to circumnavigate the earth – 1590
• Portrait of Amerigo Vespucci—he is described as “discoverer and conqueror of the land of Brazil” – circa 1600
• Diagram of the Quebec settlement – circa 1608
• Illustration of Henry Hudson’s Half Moon sailing ship in the Hudson River
• Self-portrait of French explorer Samuel de Champlain titled Defeat of the Iroquois at Lake Champlain – 1613
• Illustration of Jacques Cartier’s first interview with Indians near Hochelaga (now Montreal) in 1535 – published circa 1850
• Painting titled Discovery of the Mississippi by William H. Powell—portrays Hernando de Soto seeing the Mississippi River for the first time – 1853
• Painting titled Last Voyage of Henry Hudson by John Collier – 1881
• Spanish currency with illustration of explorer Francisco Pizarro
• Photograph of remains of a Viking longboat—Viking Ship Museum, Oslo, Norway – photo taken 2005
• Photograph of a metallic helmet used in 17th century by Spanish conquistadors in America—Museo del Carmen, Maipú, Santiago, Chile – photo taken 2008
• Medallion with effigy of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, in his birthplace of Salamanca, Spain – photo taken 2012

Your students will: 

• Think critically and analytically, interpret events, and question various perspectives of history. 
• Participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations instead of memorizing facts and a writer’s interpretations. 
• Integrate and evaluate information provided in diverse media formats to deepen their understanding of historical events. 
• Create a more relevant and meaningful learning experience.

All levels. 8 x 11 inches each. Cardstock.