In 1804 Lewis and Clark began a 2-year trip west to investigate the new land President Jefferson had just bought. Over the next few days, we are going to learn about what they found.
An Introduction – Why They Went
What They Took
Lewis and Clark had to bring maps, pens, food, and tools on their trip. They kept notes about the land, rivers, and animals they saw. Today, you will make a journal to track key parts of their trip, just like they did!
Instructions: How to Make Your Journal
Materials Needed:
- 4-5 sheets of plain or lined paper (for the inside pages)
- 1 sheet of construction paper, card stock, or cardboard (for the cover)
- Twine or yarn (about 12-16 inches long)
- Hole punch
- Scissors
- Markers, colored pencils (for decorating)
Step 1: Fold the Paper
- Stack the 4-5 sheets of plain paper together neatly.
- Place the construction paper on top to act as the cover.
- Fold the entire stack in half, creating a booklet shape.
Step 2: Punch Holes
- Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the fold of the booklet an inch from the edge.
Step 3: Thread the Twine
- Cut a piece of twine or yarn about 12-16 inches long.
- Starting from the outside of the booklet, thread the twine through the top hole, looping it through the outside and back out through the next hole.
- Tie the ends of the twine on the outside of the journal, and trim any excess twine.
Step 4: Decorate the Journal
- Give your journal a title on the cover.
- Decorate the cover with maps, rivers, or symbols that are important to you.
- Add any other creative designs or labels.