Seafaring in the early Mediterranean world
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the galleys of the early Mediterranean.
Key learning points
- While the Polynesians were exploring the Pacific Ocean, other humans were exploring the Mediterranean.
- The ancient Minoans, Phoenecians and Greeks used galleys to transport people and goods around the Mediterranean.
- Galleys had sails and many oars.
- Galleys were also used for warfare and would sometimes ram into each other.
Keywords
Galley - a galley is large, low ship with a sail and many oars
Oar - an oar is a long pole with a flat end, used for moving a boat
Oarsmen - the people who push and pull the oars on a boat are oarsmen
Warship - a ship used for fighting is known as a warship
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the Mediterranean is a single country.
The Mediterranean is a large area surrounding and including the Mediterranean Sea. Many countries are part of this area.
Teacher tip
Display a world map in the classroom to show pupils where the Mediterranean is and which modern day countries are found there. Show pupils which modern day countries are in the historic regions referred to in the lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the parts of a boat to the correct description.
the hard outer shell
a large piece of cloth attached to the boat
Q2.Which ancient people explored the Pacific Ocean?
Q3.Why did the Polynesians travel to different islands?
Q4.Which people were some of the most important for Polynesian life?
Q5.Why did the Polynesians decide to make their boats stronger than traditional canoes?
Q6.How did the Polynesians navigate?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How do seafarers travel?
Q2.What is the opposite of war?
Q3.What type of ship did early Mediterranean seafarers use?
Q4.Who pushed and pulled the oars on a galley ship?
Q5.What type of ship is used for fighting?
Q6.In which area did the Phoenicians, Minoans and Ancient Greeks live?
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: Seafaring in the early Mediterranean world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: Seafaring in the early Mediterranean world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the John Cabot and Brunel unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.