Have you ever dreamed of
sailing the ocean, traveling to new and unfamiliar places, or finding
fame and fortune? While the life of an explorer during the Age of
Exploration was thrilling, it could also be difficult and dangerous.
What do you imagine life would have been like? For this project, you
will create a ship's log book, written from the point of view of one of
the explorers. The log book will chronicle your voyages, discoveries,
and the important aspects of your life.
Steps:
Steps:
- Gain background knowledge. Follow the links on the "Life in the 1500s" page to learn more about daily life during the Age of Exploration. This will help you to better describe and imagine the setting of your story. Then, learn more about the explorers' motives on the "Why Explore?" page. Although an explorer's journey could be perilous and could cost him his life, there were also compelling reasons to set sail.
- Read the project directions so you will know what to include in your ship's log book.
- Collect information. Use the "Meet the Explorers" page to choose an explorer and research his life. Since you will be viewing a lot of information, it is really important that you stay organized. Write down your main ideas, draw pictures, and keep track of the websites you use. Keep all of your notes in one folder or notebook so you can find them again easily. Use your time wisely in the computer lab so you can complete your project on time.
- Write and assemble your Ship's Log. Save often and in the right location! Make sure you are saving to your network folder if you are working at school.
- Have fun and be prepared to share your findings! We will present our logs in class after the completion of the project.
Facts About the 1500s
Life in the 1500s was pretty difficult. Read these facts to learn about the daily struggles most people faced.
Tools of Navigation
No GPS, no
maps, no radar... This page has a list of the navigational tools used
in the Age of Exploration. It's amazing to think that the explorers were
able to cross the ocean safely without the use of modern technology.
Check out these interesting tools!
Latitude: The Art and Science of Fifteenth-Century Navigation
This is
another interesting site that shows how sailors were able to navigate
the globe in the 1500s - and how much better their tools were than those
that sailors used 100 years before.
Find Your Longitude
This game
will show you how explorers used some of the old navigational tools, and
the position of the sun and stars to find their location.
Life at Sea
The Mariner's Museum has several articles that describe how difficult life could be at sea. Pick at least one of them to read.
Your Lunch - Then and Now
While
explorers brought many new plants and animals to the New World, they also
brought back many new and important products. Play this game to see how
different foods were combined to make the lunches we eat today.
Why Explorers Explored the World
This site explains why many different European countries paid for explorations around the world.
Why Did the Europeans Start Exploring?
While most explorers today want to learn more about the world around us, in the past, people explored for different reasons.
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