Seafaring 150 years ago
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how seafaring was changing 150 years ago.
Key learning points
- By the time of John Franklin, navigation by sea had become more advanced.
- Seafarers used new inventions like sextants and chronometers to work out where they were.
- Larger, stronger ships meant that longer voyages were undertaken by European explorers.
- Franklin's expedition used a new type of ship, steamships, fitted with propellers and a heating system.
- During their voyage, Franklin's sailors had to endure freezing temperatures.
Keywords
Steamship - a steamship is a ship that uses a steam engine to help it move
Propeller - a propeller is something that spins in the water to move a ship forward
Sextant - a sextant is a measuring tool that measures the distance between two points
Chronometer - a chronometer is like a watch, it measures the passage of time
Common misconception
Inside places (like inside boats) are warmer than outside places.
Inside places have shelter from rain, so they're drier, but not necessarily warmer. If a place is cold, everywhere is cold unless heated.
Teacher tip
Make sure there is a large wall clock in the classroom for you to refer to when you talk about chronometers, as it is unlikely that pupils will be wearing an analogue watch.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.
Navy.
English.
seafarer.
Q2.What did John Franklin use to explore?
Q3.John Franklin wanted to explore the...
Q4.Why did John Franklin's boats get stuck?
Q5.John Franklin returned home after exploring the Northwest Passage.
Q6.Why did John Franklin's crew leave their ships in the ice?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these makes a boat move forwards?
Q2.Which of these tools measures time?
Q3.Which of these tools measures distance?
Q4.What type of ships were invented about 150 years ago?
Q5.What part of a steamship was very important on Franklin's Arctic expedition?
Q6.What was new on John Franklin's Navy ships?
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: Seafaring 150 years ago, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 history lesson on: Seafaring 150 years ago, 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 John Franklin unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.