"The Case of the Missing Treasure Chests"

I) Using a detailed rubric, students research assigned explorers. Using the internet they will determine the routes that their explorer took during his exploration, the purpose of the journey, land that was discovered, navigational tools that were used, and any other interesting information that they feel is important.

II) Working in groups of three, the students will use all of the research found in Step 1 to create a journal that was supposedly written by their explorer during his voyage. They will find and download any maps and pictures thay will make their journal look more authentic. Journal entries usually take on the personality that the students believe their explorer possessed.

III) Students will created a colorful and creative map that includes all routes traveled by their explorer.

IV) During the research process, students are asked to determine which type of navigational tool was most likely used by their explorer. Using provided templates, the students create one of the following: water compass, magnetic compass, or astrolabe(telescope).

V) Students then create a treasure chest that will hold all of the above items.

VI) During presentations, we transform the classroom into a "Museum of Exploration" as the groups of students take on the roles of archaeologists and prove to the board that their find is authentic and did indeed belong to their
explorer.