a ship's sails are held up and controlled by ropes known as rigging

sailors used a tool called an astrolabe to work out how far north or south they were

a lead line is a length of rope with a piece of lead attached to it

Seafaring 550 years ago

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

Brunel's race to cross the Atlantic

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 did sailors use to measure how deep water was?

Who first used a compass to navigate at sea?

550 years ago, what did European sailors add to their boats to help them to turn more easily?

Sailing boats from 550 years ago had many large {{ }} to catch the wind.

Where did John Cabot think he was travelling to?

What feature of Chinese junks helped them to turn around or change direction easily?

Chinese junks were known for being very...

Seafaring 550 years ago

Lesson outcome