Welcome Explorers!

The year is 1565 and your name is Juan or Juanita Roberto Ripley. (We here at Ripley’s consider Robert Ripley a more modern day explorer) The King of Spain has commissioned you to travel with Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and you land in the land of Flowers dubbed “La Florida.” This world is very different from your home in Spain. Let’s do some research to see if we can understand how those explorers must have felt in this new world.

Climate

What is the climate in Spain?

What is the Climate in Florida?

Clothing

What did people in Spain in the late 1500’s wear?

Food

What was a customary meal in Spain in that era?

Trade

What was used for money in Spain at that time? Who did they trade with?

Culture

The Timucuan Indians were the only people here when they arrived. What were they like? How tall were they? How tall were the Spanish? What were the customs of the Timucuan?

Now, using what you know about Spain at that time, let’s compare it to the explorer’s arrival in Florida. Think about the following items:

  • They arrived to an undeveloped land other than Indian settlements. Think of the Florida climate, the humidity, the wildlife such as panthers, alligators, and snakes.
  • Think about what the Spaniards were wearing. How uncomfortable or comfortable do you think they were?
  • Think about what they were used to eating. How did they eat here? Were they prepared to hunt for their food?
  • Think about their new neighbors, the Timucuan. How do you think the Spaniards felt compared to them? What was their reaction when they first saw the Indians?

Take what you know and turn it into a creative writing experience. You are explorer Juan(ita) Roberto Ripley. You are stepping off your Spanish sailing vessel into this strange new world. Describe it to us. Make sure you add what you see and how you feel.

After you’ve written your story,Create a diorama showing what the “La Florida” must have looked like to these explorers. Use a shoe box and create “wild Florida” inside to share with your classmates to help them understand what you see when you arrive in this new world.