This inquiry explores the impact of the early exploration in North Dakota through the investigation of the compelling question “What’s in a map?” The importance of understanding mapping and early exploration in this inquiry is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand what kind of information maps can tell us and (2) students will understand the process through which Europeans and Americans explored the northern Great Plains, how they filled in blank areas on maps, and that a great variety of Native American people had already lived in this region for thousands of years before first contact with explorers of European heritage. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes occurring to both natural and cultural resources.
This inquiry is expected to take one or two class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.
- Using the internet and library resources, students will be required to find additional sources themselves.
- Bowen’s Map of North and South American 1752
- Sayer’s Map of North and South America 1772
- Reid’s Map of North America 1795
- Lewis and Clark Map by Samuel Lewis 1804-1806
- Ossiniboia Territory 1814
- Melish’s Map of the U.S. 1820
- Die Vereinigten Staaten von Nord America 1831
- Students will draw inspiration from their own lives and communities.
Understand: Discuss the idea that maps can be an important part of telling a story about a community.
Assess: Compare a variety of local/community maps drawn at different scales or focusing on different features and determine the advantages of some maps over others.
Act: Create a map of your community including the most important information you would want someone to know about the place.