Hi Maggie,
Thank you for post.
This is a very timely request, as August marks the birthdays of both William Clark (August 1, 1770) and Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774), and the beginning of and first journal entry for the Corps of Discovery's expedition.
I found quite a few related lesson plans using our lesson plan search tool at http://www.nea.org/tools/lesson-plan-search.html and have included these below.
Most of the Lewis & Clark lessons and other instructional materials were for the upper elementary, middle school or high school grade levels, but I was able to find a few for 2nd and 3rd grade, along with some for kindergarten, 1st grade, and grades 3-5 that could be adapted for 2nd and 3rd grade.
Here are the search phrases I used:
Lewis and Clark
"Lewis and Clark"
Lewis and Clark expedition
"Lewis and Clark" expedition
"Lewis and Clark expedition"
Lewis and Clark west
Lewis and Clark westward expansion
Lewis and Clark Oregon
Lewis and Clark Washington
Sacagawea
"Corps of Discovery"
I also found and have included below the URLs for online games, an interactive exhibit, and a couple of other related resources that you and your students may find useful.
Hope this is helpful and meets your needs.
Please let me know if you need more help with this or future lesson plan searches or have other questions.
Carolyn
***
Online Games, Interactive Exhibits, Web Sites & Other Resources
National Geographic: Lewis & Clark
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/
Lewis and Clark as Naturalists
[Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Online Exhibition]
http://www.mnh.si.edu/lewisandclark/index.html?loc=/lewisandclark/home.html
Grade: 3-12
Subject: History, U.S. History, Natural History
Summary: This online exhibition focuses on the natural history specimens that were collected by Lewis and Clark on their historic expedition. The site contains images of museum specimens, scientific drawings, and field photos of the plant and animal species observed and described by Lewis and Clark, along with journal excerpts, historical notes, and references for many of these examples as well as the date and location of observation. An interactive collection search allows students to search the specimens by species, date, location, or through the use of an interactive map. A teacher's guide includes standards-based lesson plans and activity ideas for grades 1-12 as well as vignettes that provide additional perspective on some of the plants that were described in the journals of the expedition members.
Go West Across America with Lewis and Clark Online Interactive Game
[National Geographic 1997 Feature]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/west/
Time Machine Online Game1805: Lewis and Clark Era
[U.S. Mint H.I.P. ("History In your Pocket") Pocket Change Time Machine Online Game]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/timeMachine/
Learning with Lewis and Clark
[U.S. Mint Teacher Feature]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/features/learningWithLewisClark.cfm
Summary: A visit to the Lewis and Clark Era (1805) in the Time Machine builds on students' interest in the Corps of Discovery.
The Lewis and Clark Adventure
[U.S. Mint H.I.P. ("History In your Pocket") Pocket Change Adventure Game]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/games/LewisClarkAdventure/
Summary: Players (Students) face wilderness challenges as you explore to the West Coast and back.
Lesson Plans
U.S. Mint Lesson Plans developed in conjunction with the coins of the Westward Journey Nickel Series
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/
Lewis and Clark: "The Object of This Mission
[National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/13/g68/object.html
Grade: K-2
Subject: Geography, Language Arts, History
Summary: Students will be pitted against each other for the best "land" and "resources" in the classroom as a way to introduce issues involved in vying for land. They will learn about the mission of the Lewis and Clark expedition and why the expedition was so important to Thomas Jefferson, then cap off the lesson by writing a mission statement.
Uncovering Animals
[U.S. Mint 2004 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/wjns/2004/02-keelboat.pdf
Grade: 2
Subject: Social Studies, Science, Language Arts
Summary: Students will study the Keelboat Nickel reverse to learn about the many unfamiliar species of plants and animals that Lewis and Clark encountered during their expedition and why they recorded these plans and animals in their journals. Students locate information, construct a scientific diagram, and compose a journal entry based on an animal encountered by Lewis and Clark.
Mission Accomplished: Grade Two
[U.S. Mint 2005 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/wjns/2005/02-oceanInView.pdf
Grade: 2
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts
Summary: Students learn about the impact of certain figures in United States history, including Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (Lewis and Clark expedition). They learn about the experiences of early American explorers and how they used goods, services, and tools to accomplish goals. Finally, students compose narratives from the perspectives of others.
Memorable Museums: Grade Two
[U.S. Mint 2006 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/wjns/2006/02-monticello.pdf
Grade: 2
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts, Technology
Summary: Students learn about the impact of certain figures in United States history, including Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark (Lewis and Clark expedition).
Symbolic Stories: Grade Two
[U.S. Mint 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/wjns/2005/02-amerBison.pdf
Grade: 2
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts, Art
Summary: Students gain general knowledge about Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery and explore the role bison played in the culture and art of the American Indians of the Great Plains during the time of Lewis and Clark's journey.
Take It or Leave It: Grade 3
[U.S. Mint Peace Medal Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/wjns/2004/03-peaceMedal.pdf
Grade: 3
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts
Summary: Students explore the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's historic Corps of Discovery navigating the Missouri River. They examine the features and the purpose of the Jefferson Peace Medal in order to discuss "needs" versus "wants." Students will use critical thinking skills to plan for a similar excursion, weighing the importance of supplies and
other external factors.
I Did It!: Grade Three
[U.S. Mint 2005 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/wjns/2005/03-oceanInView.pdf
Grade: 3
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts
Summary: Students gain general knowledge of major historical events, including the Lewis and Clark expedition.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Monticello: Grade Three
[U.S. Mint 2006 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/wjns/2006/03-monticello.pdf
Grade: 3
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts, Technology
Summary: Students learn about the impact of certain figures in United States history, including Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark (Lewis and Clark expedition and the Corps of Discovery).
Pioneer America: Journey West
[Kennedy Center ArtsEdge Lesson Plan]
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3-4/Pioneer_Journey_West.aspx
Grade: K-4 (Ages 8, 9)
Subject: History, Geography, Theater
Summary: Follow the half million people who headed west in the pioneer days of the 19th century.
Pioneer America: Legendary Westerners: Can one person really make a difference?
[Kennedy Center ArtsEdge Lesson Plan]
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3-4/Pioneer_Legendary_Westerners.aspx
Grade: K-4 (Ages 8, 9)
Subject: History, Language Arts, Theater
Summary: Students work in pairs to research legendary westerners like William Clark and Meriwether Lewis.
What Can You Make From a Buffalo?
http://historyexplorer.si.edu/search/resource.asp?id=19
Grade: K-8
Subject: History
Summary: The northern Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo. In this interactive matching game, students will match objects made by Native Americans from the body parts of buffalo to the appropriate part of the buffalo's anatomy.
We Found It!: Grade One
[U.S. Mint 2005 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/wjns/2005/01-oceanInView.pdf
Grade: 1
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts
Summary: Students learn how to identify and describe landforms and demonstrate an understanding of the compass rose and a map key using the trail of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Students create a map key and demonstrate an understanding of certain historical figures in United States history.
Making Friends: Grade One
[U.S. Mint 2004 Nickel Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/wjns/2004/01-peaceMedal.pdf
Grade: 1
Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts
Summary: Students examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.
Lesson 4: Sorting by Site: Based on the Missouri quarter reverse
[U.S. Mint 2003 K-1 Lesson Plan]
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/50sq/2003/_k01.pdf
Grade: K-1
Subject: Social Studies, Art, Language Arts
Summary: Students learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition by studying the reverse of the Missouri quarter which depicts Lewis and Clark's historic Corps of Discovery navigating the Missouri River.
Lewis and Clark: Facing Challenges Real and Imagined
[National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g35/challenges.html
Grade: 3-5
Subject: Geography, History
Summary: Students consider how Lewis and Clark expedition members might have perceived geographic features and obstacles.
Lewis and Clark: Why Explore the Vast Unknown?
[National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/16/g35/unknown.html
Grade: 3-5
Subject: Geography, history, language arts
Summary: Students interpret a map of the West as it was known at the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition. They will learn what President Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to accomplish and why the expedition was important for the future of the country.
Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting Legacy
[National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g35/building.html
Grade: 3-5
Subject: Geography, history, language arts, fine arts
Summary: Students draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Lewis and Clark: Same Place, Different Perspectives
[National Geographic Xpeditions Lesson Plan]
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g35/sameplace.html
Grade: 3-5
Subject: Geography, history, language arts
Summary: Students write about several encounters between the expedition and various Native American groups from the viewpoint of an expedition member or one of the Indians.
Economic Spotter: Scarcity with the Lewis and Clark Expedition
[EconEdLink Lesson Plan]
http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.php?lid=314&type=educator
Grade: 3-5
Subject: Economics, Personal Finance
Summary: The Lewis and Clark expedition was filled with scarcity issues. Lewis and Clark and the other members of the expedition party made life and death choices based on scarcity. In this lesson, students travel back to the early 1800s in a time machine and travel with Lewis and Clark to see if they can spot the economic concept of scarcity.