Traveling Resource Trunks

Corps of Discovery

All Ages

Ideas for using this trunk with different ages and youth groups.

This trunk provides many interesting lessons and hands-on activities on the topics of Lewis and Clark in Kansas, the Corps of Discovery expedition, explorers, westward expansion, natural history, and multicultural studies.

From the trunk

Ocean and Clatsop IndiansWilliam Clark journal entry about the Clatsop Indians.

About 12 o'clock Indians came down in a canoe, the wind very high from the S.W., with most tremendous waves breaking with great violence against the shores. Rain falling in torrents, we are all wet as usual.Those people left us and crossed the river (which is about 5 miles wide at this place) through the highest waves I ever saw a small vessels ride. Those Indians are certainly the best canoe navigators I ever saw." November 11, 1805


Kanza peopleWilliam Clark writes about the Kansa Indians.

"This River recves its name from a nation which dwells at this time on its banks.they formerly liveid on the South banks of the Missouries [river].in an open & butiful plain and were verry noumerous at the time the French first Settled the Illinois.This nation is now out in the plains hunting the Buffalow." June 28, 1804





Buffalo herdsMeriwether Lewis writes about the buffalo herds they saw.

"These last animals [the buffalo] are now so numerous that from an eminence we discovered more than we had ever seen before, at one time; and if it be not impossible to calculate the moving multitude, which darkened the whole plains, we are convinced that twenty thousand would be no exaggerated number." August 29, 1806

Shoshone tipisMeriwether Lewis journal entry about the Shoshone Indians.

"On our arrival at their encampment on the river in a handsome level and fertile bottom.they introduced us to a lodge made of willow brush and an old leather lodge, which had been prepared for our reception." August 13, 1805

Trunk Specifications

Weight: 32 lbs.
Dimensions: 24" x 20" x 13"
Insure for $500 when shipping

Kansas Curricular Standards Connections

Contents of Teachers's Manual

Available online in downloadable PDF files. Kansas Kaleidoscope is available for purchase.

Introduction

    Acknowledgements

    List of Trunk Contents

Lesson 1: Kansas Kaleidoscope

  • Worksheet: "Reading" Historical Images
  • Worksheet: Reading Comprehension
  • Worksheet: Compare and Contrast
  • Worksheet: Lewis and Clark Acrostic Poem
  • Kansas Kaleidoscope: "Lewis and Clark in Kansas: 1804 - 2004 Bicentennial" issue

Lesson 2: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark

  • Lesson plan
  • Timeline: Explorers in Kansas
  • Worksheet: Lewis and Clark in Kansas
  • Handout: William Clark's Journal
  • Worksheet: William Clark's Journal Worksheet
  • Worksheet: Journal Notes
  • Read It! card: Lewis and Clark Explore Kansas

Lesson 3: Explorers in Kansas

  • Lesson plan
  • Worksheet: Ask the Explorer
  • Worksheet: Which Way Did They Go?
  • Explorer's Journal, Francisco Coronado
  • Explorer's Journal, Captains Lewis and Clark
  • Explorer's Journal, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike
  • Explorer's Journal, Major Stephen Long
  • Read It! card: Coronado Explores Kansas
  • Read It! card: Lewis and Clark Explore Kansas
  • Read It! card: Zebulon Pike Explores Kansas
  • Read It! card: Stephen Long Explores Kansas

Lesson 4: Lewis & Clark Among the Indians

  • Lesson plan
  • Teacher information: Lewis & Clark Among the Indians
  • Cultural Comparison Cards Matrix
  • Worksheet: Lewis and Clark Among the ____________

Lesson 5: The First Independence Day in Kansas

  • Lesson plan
  • Teacher information: The First Independence Day in Kansas
  • Teacher information: Flag Etiquette Activity
  • Teacher information: Flag Folding Instructions
  • Booklet: Flag Facts

Lesson 6: "Great Numbers of Buffalow"

  • Lesson plan
  • Teacher information: Calculating the Demise of the Buffalo
  • Teacher information: The Buffalo: A Valuable Resource
  • Worksheet: Buffalo Populations: Then and Now

Lesson 7: Collecting with Lewis and Clark

  • Lesson plan
  • Teacher information: Collecting with Lewis and Clark
  • Items Sent With the Keelboat in the Spring of 1905

The Kansas Historical Society developed The Corps of Discovery traveling resource trunk with major funding provided by the Kansas Lewis and Clark in Kansas Bicentennial Commission. Funding for the Read Kansas! cards was provided by the United States Army Center of Military History Army Historical Foundation.

Looking for other programs or activities?

The Kansas Historical Society has a variety of programs available for your use including other traveling resource trunks; traveling exhibits; guided tours of state historic sites, the state Capitol, and the Kansas Museum of History; and online resources. For more information on these contact the Education and Outreach Division at 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 414, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

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