Lewis and Clark: A Troublesome Portage

Summary
Students are asked to identify parts of speech and definitions for several vocabulary words. They will also write a journal entry and find a main idea for each section of the piece.

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

• Identify the part of speech and write a definition for several vocabulary words.

• Choose the main idea for each paragraph from a list of options.

• Pose as a member of the Corps of Discovery and write a journal entry discussing some of the problems of the portage.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Captain Lewis was impressed with the beauty of the Great Falls of the Missouri when he first saw them. He soon realized, however, that getting his pirogues and supplies around them was going to be more difficult than he had planned. The reports the men had heard from the Indians indicated that there was only one waterfall. So, they thought that they could portage (carry their supplies) around it in about a week. In reality, there were five falls. This meant that the men of the Corps of Discovery would have to transport all their belongings more than eighteen miles around the obstacle.

Continued...