Explorers (1420-1779) Part I: Why?

For our first activity, we begin our in-depth study of explorers with the question "Why?" There were so many risks involved with exploration, some real and some imagined.

"Celtic stories often tell tales of creatures with long necks and sharp teeth that attacked boats and seamen." -HTTA New World Explorers

What made these brave people explore uncharted territory despite storms at sea, illness and disease, lack of edible food and drinkable water and other such concerns?
The reasons are many and are as varied as the men who made the journeys, but they can probably be put into a few categories. 

There were the spices of the Orient.

There were gold and riches.


There was land to conqueror. 

There was the spread of Christianity.

And lastly, the thrill of adventure.

After we finished this activity, my youngest was inspired to make a little explorer's ship out of one of the gold walnut shells we had leftover from New Year's.



Popular Posts