Lewis and Clark: The Expedition Gets Underway

Summary
The reading selection chronicles the early months of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the first interactions of the group with Native Americans. Activities include comprehension questions, identifying synonyms and antonyms, and writing a journal.

Objectives
• Obtain basic information about the Lewis and Clark Expedition by reading the material that is included, and participating in a group discussion.

• Find synonyms and antonyms for vocabulary words used in the article.

• Pose as Captain Lewis to write a journal entry.

• Refer to the article in order to answer multiple-choice comprehension questions.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
On August 2, 1804, the explorers encountered a group of Indians for the first time. They were members of the Oto and Missouri tribe, and were quite friendly. The Captains had their men don their army uniforms. Then they marched in formation and demonstrated their weapons. This display greatly impressed the natives. Captain Lewis used translators to explain to the chiefs that they had a ?great father? who lived in Washington DC and wanted to have peace with them. The natives were given medals that had a picture of President Jefferson on one side and two clasped hands on the other. They also received tobacco, face paint, and beads.

Continued...