Have students participate in a trading simulation. Follow the directions as stated in the lesson plan. Have students create games using the information on the explorers and trade. Have students apply what they've learned about the trade routes by designing a map with all of the routes. Students can add the products to this map or design a separate map for products that were traded.
Students can dramatize the trade routes by portraying different explorers.
Heath Social Studies, Chapter 2, Exploring America's Heritage, 1991.