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Year 1
John Cabot's journeys across the Atlantic
I can describe the journeys of John Cabot.
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New
New
Year 1
John Cabot's journeys across the Atlantic
I can describe the journeys of John Cabot.
Share activities with pupils
Share function coming soon...
Slide deck
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shortly after Zheng He's voyages, an Italian navigator and explorer called John Cabot was living in Bristol.
- He was sent by the English king, Henry VII, to find a shorter route to Asia, and to claim new lands for England.
- He tried to sail across the Atlantic but bad weather, food shortages and arguments with his crew meant he failed.
- He tried again the next year with a small ship, the Matthew, and a crew of just 18, reaching what is now Canada.
- The next year, the king sent Cabot on another trip to try and reach even further; Cabot and his ships never returned.
Common misconception
Pupils might find it confusing that John Cabot sounds like a very English name yet he was Italian.
John Cabot is the English version of the name he was born as, Giovanni Caboto. He lived in England for so long he was known by John Cabot.
Keywords
Atlantic Ocean - the Atlantic Ocean is the ocean between Europe and the Americas
Americas - the Americas are the continents of North and South America
Asia - the continent to the east of Europe is called Asia
Pupils have not yet encountered Roman Numerals in Maths, so be sure to clarify that VII means "7th". Henry was the 7th king of England that had the name Henry (Henry was not the 7th king of England).
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.
Supervision
Adult supervision suggested.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Worksheet
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which part of a ship helps to catch strong sea winds?
hull
flag
Q2.
What were Chinese boats called?
galleys
longboats
Q3.
What did Chinese junks have that help them to turn around in water?
oars
sails
Q4.
What essential piece of navigation equipment were the Chinese explorers the first to use at sea?
oars
star map
Q5.
What did using a compass help Chinese seafarers to do?
Using a compass made journeys harder.
Using a compass made journeys longer.
Q6.
What was the main reason for many of the Chinese voyages in junks?
to take people on holidays, like modern cruise ships do
to explore new places and take over them
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Who wanted John Cabot to go on journeys of exploration?
the king of Italy
other explorers
Q2.
Where did the king of England want Cabot to sail to?
The Americas
Africa
Q3.
What two problems caused Cabot's first journey to end without reaching land?
Cabot lost his map
the crew were too tired
Q4.
What large body of water did Cabot cross on his journeys?
River Avon
Bristol Channel
Q5.
What was different about Cabot's second journey?
They took more food.
His ship was bigger.
Q6.
What did John Cabot call the place he discovered when he landed there in 1497?
Canada
North America
Additional material
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