Spanish Explorers – Cabeza de Vaca Facts

Are you looking for resources to teach your students about the many Spanish explorers in history? If so, you’re in the right place! We have created an easy-to-use Cabeza de Vaca reading passage and comprehension questions. Use this passage to blend reading and Social Studies concepts or assessment over nonfiction reading skills. 

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca – Accomplishments in History

By using this famous explorers resource, your students will discover

• Who was Cabeza de Vaca

• What did Cabeza de Vaca do?

• How did Cabeza de Vaca survive on his journeys?

• What was Cabeza de Vaca looking for?

• Why was Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca important?

• When did Cabeza de Vaca die?

Differentiate Learning About Early Explorers

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided reading groups
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers 
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

For struggling readers, try the following:

• Provide read-aloud accommodations.
• Allow students to partner read the passage and complete the comprehension check together.
• Pre-teach the vocabulary words related to the passage before reading. 
• Build background before completing by viewing videos and images or discussing prior knowledge on the topic.

For fast finishers, enhance their learning by trying the following:

• Encourage students to read further and make a timeline of the significant events during Cabeza de Vaca’s travels.
• Have students read additional texts or watch videos about Cabeza de Vaca.
• Encourage students to continue their exploration of history with informative writing prompts for third grade and up.

Print Passages for All Explorers from the Age of Exploration! 

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete. 

To save paper, we suggest printing this 2-page worksheet double-sided.

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

This resource was created by Katy Blevins, a teacher in Georgia and Teach Starter Collaborator.