Brunel's race to cross the Atlantic

History

Early explorers and their boats

How Polynesian explorers travelled and navigated

Seafaring in the early Mediterranean world

The Vikings and their longboats

Viking navigation and expansion

The incredible voyages of Zheng He

Chinese innovation in seafaring

John Cabot's journeys across the Atlantic

Seafaring 550 years ago

Life aboard the SS Great Britain

From sail to steam power

In ‘Significant explorers: how has seafaring changed over time?’ pupils develop their chronological framework, studying a theme that introduced change and continuity across a long time span. In ‘Significant rulers from the past: what can their stories tell us?’ they continue to develop chronological understanding whilst being introduced to various substantive concepts that relate to ruling.

In ‘Traditional stories: what do they tell us about the distant past?’ pupils moved to the distant past in order to start building their chronological framework by hearing traditional historical stories. In ‘Significant explorers: how has seafaring changed over time?’ pupils develop this framework further by studying a theme that introduces change and continuity across a long time span.

This unit on explorers and seafaring gives students a clear sense of change over time, highlighting technological, economic, and cultural shifts. It covers the sea's role in trade and exploration and explores material culture, craftsmanship, and the influence of seafaring on language and art.

Significant explorers: How has seafaring changed over time?

Which of these ships were designed by Brunel?

What was the hull of the SS Great Western made from?

True or false? Both the SS Great Western and the SS Great Britain had a wooden hull.

Complete the sentence. Brunel wanted to win the '{{ }} across the Atlantic Ocean'.

Which tool on a ship is very similar to a clock or watch?

What new feature helped steamships move through the water?

What else did steamships have that was useful on long journeys?

Put the ships in the order in which they were invented, starting with the earliest.

Brunel's race to cross the Atlantic

Lesson outcome