Lesson Plan - What Happened to Henry Hudson?

Watch a Video: Exploring Our World
Discuss: Why do humans like to explore? How has exploration changed over time?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• mutiny
• expedition

Set a Purpose for Reading
Point out the As You Read box, and have students look for details about why Hudson sought a shortcut.  

1. According to the article, why would a shortcut from Europe to Asia have been helpful in the early 1600s?
The article states that at that time, Asian spices like pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon were used as medicine. But sailing to Asia was time-consuming and dangerous. A shortcut would have saved time, money, and lives.
^{R.2 Key Details}

2. What led to the mutiny of the Discovery crew in 1611?
The crew of the Discovery staged a mutiny because they were tired, cold, and hungry, and they wanted to return to Europe. Hudson, on the other hand, wanted to continue the voyage of exploration.
^{R.3 Cause and Effect}

3. What is the purpose of the map on page 3?
The map’s purpose is to compare the route Hudson took in 1609, when he explored the Hudson River, with the one he took in 1610-11, when he got stuck in James Bay.
^{R.7 Interpret Visuals}

FEATURED SKILL: Understanding Perspective
Use the Skill Builder “Comparing Perspectives” to have students imagine a text conversation Hudson might have had with his crew. 
^{R.8 Identifying Perspective}