1. Warm Up: “You must know that it is the greatest palace that ever was…The roof was lofty, and the walls of the Palace are all covered in gold and silver. They are [covered] with…dragons, beasts and birds…on each of the four sides there is a great marble staircase leading to the top of the marble wall…” --Marco Polo 1.What is Marco Polo describing? 2.Where do you think this place is? 3.Would you like to go there?

2. Marco Polo’s Travels

4. Today’s Question: What MOTIVATED European Explorers? What OBSTACLES did they face?

5. Agenda: 1.In groups: brainstorm reasons to explore and reasons not to explore 2.Notes/discussion: MOTIVATIONS and OBSTACLES of European Explorers 3.Begin ship log

6. Would you explore new lands? With your table group, brainstorm reasons to explore and reasons not to explore. Come to a decision together!

7. Would you explore new lands? Country Name Reasons TO explore Reasons NOT TO explore

9. Motivation: the reason a person has for acting a certain way

10. Motivations for Exploration G_____: Explorers wanted to get rich. G_____: Explorers hoped to spread Christianity. G_____: Explorers wanted their countries to become more powerful.

11. Obstacle: a thing that blocks your way

12. Obstacles faced by explorers Poor navigational __________ (compasses, maps)

14. Obstacles faced by explorers Lack of __________. ___________ and starvation.

16. Obstacles faced by explorers Fear of the _____________.

19. Ship log You are an explorer who has set sail from Europe to explore new territories. Write a log describing TWO MOTIVATIONS for leaving home and TWO OBSTACLES you faced on your journey.