This free printable workbook is designed for primary students in grades one to three. It is six pages in length (it prints on three double-sided sheets). The focus is on the French-Canadian explorers Marquette and Joliet, who were the first Europeans to see the northern interior of what became the United States. Included are handwriting/spelling practice, recall questions, and basic map work.

The first Europeans to go into the middle of the United States were Frenchmen. The French had settled in Canada. They sent missionaries to preach to the Native Americans in the west. They also sent traders to buy furs from the Native Americans.

The Frenchmen heard the Native Americans, or Indians, talk about a great river in the west. But no Frenchman had ever gone far enough to see the Mississippi River.

Marquette was a priest. Joliet was a trader. In 1672, these two men were sent to find the great river that the Native Americans talked about.

Click here to print. For more of our free primary workbooks for American History, click here.