a Chinese ship with sails and a rudder was called a junk

a rudder is a flat moveable piece of wood at the back of a boat that can help it change direction

to navigate means to find a way from one place to another

a compass is a tool used for navigating that always points north

Chinese innovation in seafaring

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

John Cabot's journeys across the Atlantic

Seafaring 550 years ago

John Franklin's lost expedition

Seafaring 150 years ago

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 part of a junk helps the ship to change direction?

Which direction does a compass always point to?

Which tool was first used by Chinese explorers?

Which word means to find a way from one place to another?

Choose the things that would be on a Chinese junk.

Which important tool did Chinese junks use to help them navigate across the ocean?

What special name was used to describe Zheng He's ships?

Zheng He's Chinese ships were very small.

Match up the pairs to create sentences about Zheng He.

Chinese innovation in seafaring

Lesson outcome