Lesson Three: Europe Claims North America
Focus Questions:
• Which European countries claimed territory in North America?
• What happened after the thirteen colonies declared their independence from Great Britain?
• How did these changes affect people living in South Dakota then?
Imbedded Information in the Student Lesson:
; Louisiana; George Washington; Northwest Territory
Worksheet:
Classroom Activities:
Break the class into teams, supplied with pencils and paper, plus a local map and a map of South Dakota. Have students make a list of all the streets, parks, towns, counties, or other places they can find that are named for George Washington or Christopher Columbus. Each team should report on its findings. As a comparison exercise, ask them to look for place names related to native peoples or leaders (examples are South Dakota, Sioux Falls, Yankton, Sisseton, and Minnehaha County).
