Ancient Maritime History Lesson Plans

Students infer the cause of a shipwreck based upon information about artifacts found in the wreck. For this marine archeology lesson, students use an inventory list to infer the cause of a shipwreck. Students discuss the maritime technology used in the nineteenth century.

Students recognize environmental factors that influenced maritime trade routes and the establishment of major trading centers in classical times. They evaluate perceptions of the ancient world through ancient maps and primary source travelers' accounts.

Students research the causes of the extinction of Pleistocene mammals.  In this Pleistocene mammals lesson plan, students read essays to understand the Pleistocene epoch. Students write an essay about the personal impact of this epoch. 

Students consider how the location of Korea has contributed to outside influences. In this Korean history lesson, students investigate the influence of China, Japan, and Russia on the people and governments of the Korean peninsula in different historical time periods.

Students examine how underwater robots can be used to assist scientific explorations. They read and discuss an article, conduct Internet research, complete a worksheet, and present an oral report.

Fourth graders investigate fishing and the economical effect it has on New England.  For this New England History lesson, 4th graders practice using New England fishing vocabulary and observe paintings and photographs from the area.  Students write about the history of fishing in their "schooner" journals.

Students explore world history by writing a play with classmates. In this Vikings lesson, students identify the geography, time and culture of Viking life and what caused their eventual demise. Students utilize the web to research information and read stories of Vikings before crafting their own play which they perform with a small group of students.

Students investigate landforms by holding a class experiment.  In this topography instructional activity, students define the word "karst" and discover why sinkholes are created on the surface of the Earth by completing worksheets.  Students create a water experiment using vinegar, bottles, and colored solutions.

Students investigate ancient civilizations by researching the history of Libya.  In this world geography lesson, students identify Leptis Magna as the location of modern day Libya.  Students research their textbooks and the web in order to prepare a 5 paragraph essay about the former city.

Young scholars explore trireme, a type of ancient Persian warship. They investigate other underwater recovery operations to shed light on the difficulties a trireme recovery team might face.