Name: Donaldson, Mary Beth

E-mail: mrsmbdonaldson@yahoo.com

Topic: Early European Explorers in Arkansas

Grade: 4

Time: 1-2

Ark. Hist. Framework: 1.1.8, 3.1.6, 3.1.4

Objective: Students will investigate 3 early European explorers in Arkansas and demonstrate knowledge of their impact on the state.

Set: Review explorers Henri de Tonti, John Law, and Bernard de la Harpe. Ask the students what impact each of these explorers had on Arkansas. What did each of these individuals do for Arkansas? Brainstorm.

Materials: Arkansas History textbooks, graphic organizers,

Key Terms: Arkansas Post, barter, Henri de Tonti, Arkansas Post, Mississippi Bubble, John Law, settlement, Bernard de la Harpe, expedition,

Key Facts:
1. Henri de Tonti, a Frenchman, founded Arkansas Post and is often referred to as "the father of Arkansas.

2. John Law started the Mississippi Company and advertised to entice Europeans to settle in the New World.

3. His company fell apart and became known as the Mississippi Bubble.

4. He brought the first African slave to Arkansas.

5. Bernard de la Harpe explored the Arkansas River beginning at Arkansas Post.

6. He was searching for silver/gold.

7. He named the site of the "little rock".

Activities: Students will construct a table using explorers' names as headers and list key facts under the headers.

Closure: Students will write an persuasive paragraph to convince classmates that the explorers of choice has had the greatest impact on Arkansas. Students must support their opinion using supporting facts from their tables. They will present pargrapha to the class in the form of the author's chair.

Assessment: The tables and paragraphs will be graded using rubrics/checklists.

Resources: Arkansas History text - Arkansas - The World Around Us

Internet

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