2. Choose an early explorer and write a story describing the discovery of a new land or area. The story may be written as a journal or diary entry.

3. The year is 1850. Sketch out a travel route from the old City of York (Toronto) to the Canadian Pacific west coast. Describe or depict the terrain, mode of transport, weather conditions, notable landmarks and how long the journey will take.

4. Imagine going up in a hot air balloon. Keep a log of the trip describing what you see, the atmospheric conditions, the terrain and the (real or imaginary) route you took.

5. It is the 12th century AD. A fierce debate has taken hold of society's attention whether the Earth is flat or round. Divide the class into groups, one presenting the 'flat' side and the other adhering to the 'round' theory. Each side, however, must 'prove' their theory with as much scientifically-based information as possible.

6. You are an early Canadian pioneer who has decided to put down roots and establish a settlement. Create a layout for a brand new town depicting streets, buildings, and national landmarks. Give the town a name, estimate population growth and potential growth for the county describing the basis of the local economy, i.e. agriculture, mining or other natural resources, manufacturing (woodworking, foundry), ranching or something else. Include diagrams of what the community will look like 50 and 100 years later.

7. In December, 1831, Charles Darwin boarded the H.M.S. Beagle for a five year voyage around the world. He was the ship's naturalist collecting plant and geological specimens en route. Chart Darwin's route while on the Beagle and list some of the items he collected and discoveries he made.

8. Many native cultures have created charts and maps well-suited to their needs. Inuit, for instance, have drawn large areas of Northern Canada without using instruments. These maps and charts compare favourably to those made by surveyors using modern instruments. Do some reading and research about northern cultures, then keep a log or journal describing a journey where the use of a 'handmade' map is required. Draw the map and include the route with the journal entries.

9. The location game. Make up a game that involves identifying locations on the maps based on longitude and latitude. The class could be divided up into teams and the game could be run like a college bowl.

10. In older times, information was often spread from place to place through the use of oral songs, stories and poems. Pretend you are an ancient or medieval storyteller from any country that has just heard about travels to a new land. Create a song or story about what you have heard. Don't forget to describe what the land looks like, the customs of the people, and how the traveler arrived there.

11. You are Columbus and are confident that the Earth is round. You are sure that you can find a better way to India to trade for spices, than the present route of sailing around Africa. However, you must convince people that you are correct in order to get enough money to test your idea. Write a speech to a group of rich nobles or Queen Isabella, trying to convince them of your point of view.

12. Create your own country. Draw a map of it. Put in the major cities, transportation routes and landforms. Decide where the population lives.