The Journey . . .

That Shaped the West:

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Essentials:

  1. Find 5 plants and have 1 picture for each plant.
  2. Find 5 animals and have 1 picture for each animal.
  3. Write a newspaper article about your group’s findings.

Overview:

You will be placed in an assigned group that consists of three members. You and your group will divide into three sections: an interpreter, a researcher, and a reporter. As colleagues, you and your group will work together to complete the task. For the task, you must identify 5 plants and 5 animals that Lewis and Clark discovered in the St. Louis, MO area, and you also must find pictures of each of the plants/animals that you identified. Then, using your results, you will write a newspaper article that describes in detail what your findings were. Imagine your team as explorers, like Lewis and Clark, who are surveying and researching a new and uncharted land.

Process: The Keys to Success

  1. In your group, select which members will have which role. There are three roles per group. Each person must take one role. The roles are:
  • Researcher
  • Interpreter
  • Reporter
  1. All members must be involved and interact with each other in order to succeed. Turn in a typed final copy of the article with all of its components. See evaluation page for grade details.

Role of the Researcher

Determine 5 different animal species and 5 different plant species that Lewis and Clark found in the St. Louis area during their expedition. Suggestions for sources include:

  • - Click on links for different animal species under the heading “North American Prairie.”
  • - List of animal species.
  • - List of plant species. Be sure to examine the date and location of the finding to ensure that it was found in the St. Louis area.
  • - List of plant species.

Role of the Interpreter

Locate images of each of the 5 animal species and 5 plant species that the researcher identified that Lewis and Clark found in the St. Louis area during their expedition. Suggestions for sources include:

  • - Use the search field to locate an image for the animal in question.
  • - Insert the scientific name of the plant in question in the search field and select the image of your choice.

Role of the Reporter

Report the findings of the researcher and the interpreter. Write a shortnewspaper article reporting the events as if you were reporting them at the time of the expedition. In the article, include the 5 animal species and 5 plant species that Lewis and Clark found in the St. Louis area during their expedition. Elements should include:

  • 5 animal species
  • 5 plant species
  • Images of all 10 species
  • Answers to the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How (when appropriate)
  • Correct Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar

Your grade will be tabulated with 40 points for each part listed below.

  • Each group member is to print off and complete:
  • Self- evaluation (20 points each)
  • Group-evaluation (20 points each)
  • When organizing your findings and pictures, check with the Lewisand Clark Grading Rubric. (15 points each- total of 30 points)
  • As you prepare and write your article, keep in mind the Lewisand Clark GradingRubric.(30 points)

100-94 = A

93-85 = B

84-76 = C

75-67 = D

67-0 = F

SELF EVALUTION

PROJECT TITLE:______

GROUP MEMBERS:______

Please rate your contribution to the group and evaluate the group on a scale from 1 – 5 with 5 being the highest.

INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION: Name______

____1. Following teacher’s instructions____6. Asking for help when needed

____2. Asking meaningful questions____7. Sharing responsibilities

____3. Contributing ideas and information____8. Respecting others

____4. Helping the group stay on task ____9. Explaining things to others

____5. Contributing materials ____10. Doing things on time

I could improve on______

I rank my contributions to the group as______because______

______.

*These 20 points will be combined with points from the Lewis and Clark Grading Rubric and Group Evaluation for your final grade

GROUP EVALUATION

0-2 points
/ Student’s name: / Student’s name: / Student’s name:
Followed Teacher’s Instructions
Asked meaningful questions
Contributed ideas and information
Stayed on task and meeting deadlines
Shared responsibilities
Respected others
Explained things to others
Solved problems within group
Consistent effort
Produced a quality product

I rank our group’s efforts at working together as______because______

______

*These 20 points will be combined with points from the Lewis and Clark Grading Rubric and Self Evaluation for your final grade

Lewis and Clark Project Grading Rubric

30 Points Total / Does Not Meet / Meets / Exceeds
5 plants are identified (15 pts) / 1 pt. / 5 pts. / N/A
5 animals are identified (15 pts) / 1 pt. / 5 pts. / N/A
10 pictures (5 plants, 5 animals) (5 pts) / 1 pt. / 5 pts. / N/A
Article Mechanics (5 pts)
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar / Work contains 5 + spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.
1 pt. / Work contains less than 5 spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.
3 pts. / Work contains 2 or less spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors.
5 pts
Article (20pts)
(Elements should include answers to questions such as Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How [when appropriate]) / The article is incomplete and references less than 5 findings from Tasks 1 and 2.
7 pts. / The article is complete, but contains only 5 -9 findings from Tasks 1 and 2. Work contains less than 5 spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.
14 pts. / The article accurately reflects findings from Tasks 1 and 2.
20 pts.
TOTAL: 60 POINTS

*These 60 points will be combined with the points from the evaluations for your final grade.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You are now an explorer

with Lewis and Clark!

Can you spot the error made on the Lewis and Clark

Special Edition State of Missouri Quarter?