John Cabot's journeys across 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

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?

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Who wanted John Cabot to go on journeys of exploration?

Where did the king of England want Cabot to sail to?

What problems caused Cabot's first journey to end without reaching land?

What did John Cabot cross on his journeys? 

What was different about John Cabot's second journey? 

What did John Cabot call the place he landed in?

Which part of a ship helps to catch strong sea winds?

What did Chinese junks have that helped them to turn around in water?

Chinese explorers were the first people to use this at sea

Complete the sentence: Using a compass...

John Cabot's journeys across the Atlantic

Lesson outcome

Content guidance