Connecting with Questions - Student Choices NAME: ______

Essential Question: What were the reasons European nations had for choosing to risk sailing across unmapped oceans before the 17th century and which European nation was the most successful in achieving its goals?
A. Have you ever heard of Sir Edmund Hillary and his reaching the summit of Mt. Everest with his Sherpa guide, Tenzig Norgay? How about the founder of Cirque du Soleil named Guy Laliberté who travelled to the International Space Station in 2009? Maybe you have heard of Amelia Earhart who wanted to fly around the world at the equator, or perhaps Tommy Prince who showed his love of service for Canada by becoming the most decorated Aboriginal soldier of all time. These people had a goal and made a journey to complete that goal—sometimes called a “quest.” Quests aren’t new.
In this next few days you will have the opportunity to look into whole countries that had quests in the 15th-17th centuries (1400-1700). These quests were to travel across oceans that no one had ever been across. The countries had their reasons for taking that kind of risk with their money and people’s lives. Your inquiry will be to answer the question what were the European countries that went on these quests, what
were their reasons, and which country(ies) were most successful?
Tommy Prince (right) with his brother
at Buckingham Palace to receive a medal from the Queen.
Possible Inquiry Projects for (A)
1. Board Game: Working in a group, use a world map as a game board to trace the routes of the European explorers’ voyages. Design game cards for each explorer that explains each of their motivations, the country they represented, the places they visited, as well as accomplishments and the challenges they faced.
2. Northwest Passage Poster: Using keywords that describe why the Northwest Passage held such a strong appeal for European explorers, create an illustrative poster that promotes its exploration.
3. Health Measures: Develop a list of health measures (ways to stay healthy) to inform European crew members of important practices to follow when sailing from Europe to North America (e.g. Prevention or teatment of scurvy, fresh air, sanitary measures…), Use examples of real health problems that European sailors experienced
4. It’s Music to my Ears: Pretend that you are one of the European explorers. Describe your travel to North America through a song or rap. Be sure to include why your decided to face the risks of traveling to North America, and also include a description of your voyage and the people and placed you visited along the way.
Essential Question: Who was the best explorer to come from Europe to Canada?
B. What kind of person does it take to be an explorer? Most of the explorers that set out across unmapped oceans were not rich—they were sponsored, or paid to explore by a king or leader of a country. Each of these explorers thought and acted somewhat differently. Each of these explorers travelled to different areas trying to accomplish something. Some of them we may forget about as we grow up and leave school. Perhaps a few explorers will stay in our memory as ones who simply were the best at exploring. Who was the best explorer to come from Europe to Canada? Which explorer is still worth talking about to our parents and friends? What are the qualities of a good explorer and what are the different parts of an explorer’s journey? Compare several explorers according to your rules for “best explorer” and decide on the “best explorer award”.

E.g. Inquiry Projects for (B) (Teacher list shows more choices)
1. Award Ceremony: Working in a group, dramatize an Awards Ceremony to present Early European explorers with different awards (ex. Overall Best Explorer, Most Courageous, Most Tenacious, Most Persuasive, Best Negotiator with First Peoples…). Use historical events and accuracy when presenting awards and dramatizing acceptance speeches
2. APTN Footage: Pretend that APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) was celebrating their first 100 years of broadcasting in 1611 (the year Henry Hudson died!) To celebrate they show some ”footage” from the best and worst explorers since 1497. Create a short video presentation.
3. Wanted: The Best Explorer - Your work for an exploration company. Create a poster to advertise for the position of an explorer. Include the best qualities an explorer should have.
4. Ship’s Log: You are one of the European Explorers. Write a ship’s log that describes details of the voyage. Include a map of the voyage draw by that explorer. Tell about reason for your exploration and describe the people and places you visited on your journey.

Directions: What one question above (A or B), would you like to study? Letter ___

In the box under your choice of question, circle or write in your inquiry choice. Parent’s Signature ______