Prince Henry, Columbus, & Magellan
The second half of the 15th century was a time of great exploration by Europeans. Prince Henry the Navigator started a school to teach men how to make accurate maps in order to set up new trading routes which would avoid overland caravans.
Christopher Columbus, who trained at one of Prince Henry’s observatories, hoped to reach India by sailing west. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, and believed that he had reached India.
Soon Amerigo Vespucci made the same trip, but unlike Columbus, he recognized that this was a “New World.” Later mapmakers decided to call the new land America in Amerigo’s honor. It was maps like these that a bold and determined Ferdinand Magellan used as his team completed the first voyage circumnavigating the world in 1522 in the continued quest for a better trade route.
In Class Activities 9/10/13:
- Began our Early Modern History notebook
- Mapped the accomplishments of Prince Henry, Columbus, & Magellan
- Sampled "Spices from the East"in the form of cinnamon sugar graham crackers
- Discussed the importance of trade as we traveled our own difficult trade route
- Made bead bracelets with items collected on our journey
Optional Lesson Extension Activities You Can do at Home:
- A fun way to review - cartoons!
- Research - Mr. Donn has a great site covering all of the explorers with lots of information and several free games
- Color explorer images online or on paper at OnColoring.com
In preparation for our next class please have your child read history cards #4 & 5 covering Spanish & Northeast explorers.
