the Atlantic Ocean is the ocean between Europe and the Americas

the Americas are the continents of North and South America

the continent to the east of Europe is called Asia

the Pacific Ocean is the ocean between the Americas and Asia

William Adams' journey to Japan

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 450 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

William Adams was the first English person to go to...

True or false? All 5 ships in Williams Adams' group arrived to Japan.

Sailors got sick because they didn't have enough... 

the ocean between Europe and the Americas

Match the oceans to the correct descriptions.

How long did William Adams' journey to Japan take?

Which of these is a tool for navigating ships?

Which of these is a tool for measuring how deep water is?

Which continent is to the east of Europe?

What tool can show you if you are travelling north, south, east or west?

William Adams' journey to Japan

Lesson outcome

Content guidance