1. Heidi Miedecke
Beatriz Sarabia
Alma Vaca
Martha Vasquez
Geography 300
January 24, 2013
Lesson Plan 2
Fourth Grade
Topic: Planning a trip for Christopher Columbus
Objective: To use three different math skills; sorting, graphing, and measuring
in order to complete a Geography project. The student’s are going to learn about distance, type
of people, leaving styles and diversity between Europe and America.
Materials: pencils, erasers, map, pencils, graph paper, markers, butcher paper, clay, glue,
Popsicle sticks, paper, toothpicks and short YouTube video
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuvRFZ4Mxbo)
Prior knowledge: Discovery of The Americas. Basic information about Christopher Columbus
and his discovery. Information about America and Europe.
Description: The students will construct a ship for Columbus for a trip that will take 30 days.
They can use Popsicle sticks, paper, pencils, map pencils, markers, glue and clay only. Before
they begin building their ship they need to draw a model of their ship showing the different
compartments where they will store animals and food, cook, eat, etc. They will design a model of
the ship using information about what things will be needed to be carried aboard for their
survival. They will then present the model of the ship they designed and built as well as graphs
showing the quantity of the products they will need to take on this 30 day trip. The ship can only
measure 6inches wide and 12 inches long.
Procedure:
Show the students a short video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuvRFZ4Mxbo)
Separate the class in groups of 4 to 5 students.
Students will work cooperatively to come up with up to 10 different kinds of supplies
needed to make a one month trip with 50 passengers.
Students will draw a model of a ship with enough compartments to store the supplies, and
the 50 passengers.

2. After approval from teacher, students will begin using Popsicle sticks, clay and glue to
build the ship using (can also use toothpicks, straws and paper) using their drawing for
reference.
Students will write a list of how much food and water people will need for survival. They
should consider that the animals aboard will also need food.
Students will classify the supplies, provide a storage place built into the ship for them,
and label each compartment.
Finally students are going to draw or white about Christopher Columbus journey distance
between Europe and America, type of people, leaving styles and diversity.
Students are going to share their drawing or their writing to the rest of the class.