The Vikings and their longboats
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the features of Viking longboats.
Key learning points
- Vikings used fast, narrow boats called longboats for trading and raiding.
- Longboats had oars, sails, and were both strong and flexible, allowing them to withstand strong waves.
- Longboats had flat bottoms, allowing them to sail through shallow water and rivers when the tide was high.
- Longboats were often used for raiding and the sailors on board would hang their shields over the sides of the boat.
- Viking boats were light and fast, they could even be carried short distances over land to other rivers.
Keywords
Vikings - the Vikings were seafarers from Northern Europe
Longboat - a longboat was a strong, narrow boat used by the Vikings
Shield - a shield is a large piece of wood or metal with a handle at the back that is used for protection and defence
Raid - a raid is when a place is attacked and items are stolen
Common misconception
Pupils may have the impression that all Vikings were fierce, scary warriors.
Some Vikings were warriors, but not all. Vikings were also traders, farmers and settlers.
Teacher tip
In a safe open space, ask pupils to sit in two lines and imagine that they are the crew on a longboat. Then practice pretending to row in time together, like the Vikings did. One pupil could be the helmsman at the front calling directions.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How did early explorers travel around the Mediterranean?
Q2.What type of boats did seafarers use in the early Mediterranean world?
Q3.Why did early seafarers go on journeys around the Mediterranean?
Q4.Pick the word that refers to a time when people are fighting.
Q5.How did galley ships move through the water of the Mediterranean Sea?
Q6.During times that were not peaceful, what were galley ships used for?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which countries did Vikings come from?
Q2.Longboats had a flat bottom so they could sail through __________ water.
Q3.What did Viking warriors hang over the side of a longboat before a raid?
Q4.Viking longboat journeys were usually for exploring, raiding and what else?
Q5.Where on a longboat would you find an animal shape?
Q6.Why were Viking longboats so good at moving through strong waves?
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: The Vikings and their longboats, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: The Vikings and their longboats, 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 William Adams and Brunel unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.