For Educators: Teaching Units & Lesson Plans:

Preparing for the Trip

Lesson Plan 5: Buying Supplies

OBJECTIVES

Students will:

• predict what one might need for the expedition by filling out the graphic organizer and analyze whether their predictions would suitably prepare one for such a journey
• using the primary source "List of Requirements," students will list Lewis's purchases beside their own, comparing their predictions with those of Lewis

MATERIALS

OPENING

From Undaunted Courage, Stephen E. Ambrose, p. 81:

It was a favorite saying of one of President Jefferson's twentieth-century successors, Dwight Eisenhower, that in war, before the battle is joined, plans are everything, but once the shooting begins, plans are worthless. The same aphorism can be said about exploration. In battle, what cannot be predicted is the enemy's reaction; in exploration, what cannot be predicted is what is around the next bend in the river or on the other side of the hill. The planning process, therefore, is as much guesswork as it is intelligent forecasting of the physical needs of the expedition. It tends to be frustrating, because the planner carries with him a nagging sense that he is making some simple mistakes that could be easily corrected in the planning stage, but may cause a dead loss when the mistake is discovered midway through the voyage.

Place the above quote on the board, read it aloud, and have students formulate an answer to the question: "What do you think Lewis and Clark would need to leave to guesswork in terms of preparation for the expedition?"

PROCEDURE

1. Whole-class Brainstorming Activity – Distribute two graphic organizers to each student. Instruct students to fill in headings below on the graphic organizer "List of Supplies for the Expedition," then list the supplies they would take with them under "Your List."
   Categories could include:
   • Food, transportation
   • Medical supplies
   • Tools/equipment
   • Indian gifts/trade goods
   • Camping supplies
   • Scientific instruments
   • Weapons
2. Next, under the items in "Your List" have students compile a list of what they will need during the expedition but will not have to take with them (because hopefully they will find/gather, make them, or purchase them from the Indians or others along the way).
3. Compile responses as a whole class using an overhead copy of the graphic organizer.
4. Have students combine class responses with their own responses on their graphic organizer.
5. Students should then compare their combined list to Lewis's "List of Requirements." What were Lewis's categories? (mathematical instruments, arms and accoutrements, ammunition, clothing, etc.) Images of many of the items on the list are provided in lesson 4 of the elementary and middle school unit.
6. Again, instruct students in their groups to write these down on their graphic organizer under the sections called "Lewis's List." What conclusions about the preparation can they draw from this?
7. Distribute student reading "Lewis Goes Shopping" and give students time to read it. What new information does this provide?
8. Notice Lewis's category Indian Presents. Based on the reading, how would Lewis know what to buy for the Indians he would encounter? How does this relate to the expedition's goal of expanding commerce? Teacher asks, "How do you decide on a gift to give someone when you don't know them? What makes a good or appropriate gift? Why did Lewis choose the items he did to give as gifts?" It is important to note that Indian gifts were not very different from the "camping equipment." They were not the stereotypical trinkets. Another important point is that Lewis often chose gifts for the wrong reasons: what was available, what he could afford, items he thought Indians ought to want, not what they did want; items he would have wanted.

CLOSING

If you were a representative of the American government and were traveling to an area unfamiliar to you, what items would you take along to give as presents to the people you encountered? These items should represent American technology and should be items that are of interest to people.

SUGGESTED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Written Homework Assignment:

Write an essay entitled "How Important Is Preparation?" Discuss the importance of Lewis's work in Philadelphia. Note: don't just write a "shopping list," but discuss how good preparation improves options, possibilities, chances of success, and, in this case, personal safety.