Humans, the Environment, and the Great Plains

If Lewis and Clark Made Their Journey Today,

What Would They See?

Background:

What would Lewis and Clark experience if they made their journey through the Great Plains today, nearly a century later? Through what cities would they pass? How would they find the environment of the Plains changed? Will they find an increase in the population level? If yes, then by how much?

Objective:

The purpose of this lesson plan is to make the students realize just how different today's world is from the recent past essentially in terms of the environment and population levels. Students will also, as they read about Lewis and Clark's journey, understand the various factors that have led to changes in the environment of the Great Plains, whether the change has been for the good or the bad, and if for the bad, then what factors have played a key role in bringing about this environmental deterioration.

Plan:

1. Before beginning the lesson, give a brief overview of the lesson, explaining that students will be comparing and contrasting Lewis and Clark's initial journey with what the two pioneers would experience with specific reference to the environment and population of the Great Plains if they made the same trip today.
2. Have the students read one account of the epic journey by Lewis and Clark, especially the part where they pass through the region now known as the Great Plains. Library research is the key to this exercise as students will have to look for a fairly detailed, yet interesting account of the journey. While reading, students should focus on narratives where the environment, the flora and the fauna, the rivers and the lakes, and the inhabitants' interaction with the environment are mentioned.
3. Next, ask the students to outline the Great Plains region on a map of the United States. Students should then trace the journey as it progressed through this region. Cities and towns, if any, that existed at that time should be highlighted as should be rivers and lakes.
4. Have students compare and contrast the environment of the northern Great Plains region at the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition to the present. Evaluate changes in the environment. Are these good or bad? What are the primary reasons for these changes?
5. Have students write a report on their observations of the region today, focusing on the towns and cities that now lie in the region, manufacturing, mining, crops, populations, etc. Students then present their reports to the class.

Testing, Grading, and Evaluation: Evaluate students on their written reports, checking for details and cited sources.

Adapted from T'NT Lesson Plans, Florida Center for Instructional Technology

Primary Course: Social Studies

Applicable Grades: 6 - 10

Materials Needed: Paper, pencils, maps of specific states through which Lewis and Clark passed, encyclopedias and other reference material

Related Courses: Geography, Language

Time Required: Variable

Return to Main Lessons Page
Return to Main Environment Page