Last updated: September 28, 2024
Lesson Plan
"Cross and Examine"
The captains wrote down all major events of the expedition in their journals, including the opinion poll of where to stay.
NPS Photo
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Math,Science,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
Why did the expedition choose the site of Fort Clatsop where they did?
How do you calculate the elevation of a hill?
Objective
Students will be able to:
• Identify why the site was chosen for Fort Clatsop
• Calculate the elevation of the hill on which Fort Clatsop is located
• Identify how the expedition chose the site.
Background
When the Corps of Discovery decided a winter encampment on the north shore of the Columbia River wasn't feasible, the captains asked for everyone's opinion on where to look for a campsite. In Clark's journal entry for November 24, 1805, there is a list of everyone opinion on what they thought should be done. ("do" means "ditto" or "the same as above.")
| Sergt J. Ordway | Cross & Examine | S |
| Serjt. N. Pryor | do do | S |
| Sgt. P. Gass | do do | S |
| Jo. Shields | proceed to Sandy R | |
| Go. Shannon | Examn Cross | falls |
| T.P. Howard | do do | falls |
| P. Wiser | do do | S. R |
| J. Collins | do do | S. R |
| Jo Fields | do do | up |
| Al. Willard | do do | up |
| R Willard | do do | up |
| J. Potts | do do | falls |
| R. Frasure | do do | up |
| Wm. Bratten | do do | up |
| R. Fields | do do | falls |
| J: B: Thompson | do do | up |
| J. Colter | do do | up |
| H. Hall | do do | S. R. |
| Labeech | do do | S R |
| Peter Crusatte | do do | S R |
| J. B. Depage | do do | up |
| Shabono | - - | - |
| S. Guterich | do do | falls |
| W. Werner | do do | up |
| Go: Gibson | do do | up |
| Jos. Whitehouse | do do | up |
| Geo Drewyer | Examine other side | falls |
| McNeal | do do | falls |
| York | " " | lookout |
| Falls Sandy River | lookout up | |
| 6 10 | 12 | |
| Janey | in favour of a place where there is plenty of Potas |
In his journal, Clark explained the party’s reasoning for choosing the land south of the river as the place to make their winter quarters. He wrote that every individual was eager to learn from the local tribes what the best animals to hunt were, and where to find them. The explorers learned that elk were found in great numbers on the southern side, which would mean plenty of food to eat and hides to make clothing. Clark also described a need for access to the ocean coast. This would allow the men could make salt for their food, and also keep lookout for any trade ships that might come to the Columbia River. Lastly, Clark wrote that he believed the southern side had a milder climate. He based this belief on the fact that the Native peoples of that side dressed less warmly than those who lived on the northern side of the river.
On November 25, 1805 the expedition packed up its camp and began the trip to the south side of the Columbia River. Although the American Indians had been seen crossing the Columbia River near their camp, the captains had less faith in their less stable craft and thus retraced their path upriver to a place where the river narrowed and would be easier to cross. Once on the south side of the Columbia River, the party again headed downriver. The captains chose for their base camp a portion of land extending into the river which they named Point William—today known as Tongue Point. On November 29th, a small group of men led by Lewis set out to find a location for their winter camp site. On December 5th, Lewis returned to report they had found a suitable spot on a high point of land about 10 miles away. On December 7th, the party arrived at “the most eligable” location—two miles up today’s Lewis and Clark River—and began construction of a winter fort.
Preparation
Materials:
- Handouts Winter Encampment Fill-In the Blanks, Winter Encampment Matching and the Record Sheet
- Student’s journals
- Clipboards
- These materials are available at Fort Clatsop for the use of school groups:
- 33-foot rope or 33-foot surveyor’s chain
- bubble levels
- 2 yard sticks
Materials
Download Winter Encampment Fill in the Blanks
Download Winter Encampment Matching
Procedure
1. Discuss what is needed for a campsite.
- You may want to draw on the students’ own camping experiences. For example: Have they ever set up their tents in a dry spot only to find out it was in a puddle of water when it rained?
- Relate this experience to the expedition’s search for a campsite.
- After reaching the lower Columbia River, where did the expedition first camp?
- Why did they move?
Assessment Materials
1. Discuss whether the site of Fort Clatsop is a good campsite.
2. Have the students look at a map, or think about the north coast area and decide if there is location for the fort that would have been better than the Fort Clatsop site.