Age of Sail Teacher Resources

In this comparison worksheet, students study 3 sailing ships and circle the ship that is not identical to the other two. This worksheet contains 4 rows of ships to compare.

Pupils compare and contrast British and American/Allied naval losses during the American Revolution. They recognize factors affecting the outcome of a naval battle and describe a naval battle from the age of sail.

Students identify Norse explorers, considered by many historians to be the earliest Europeans to sail to Newfoundland. Then they recognize the superior craftsmanship of a Viking sailing ship that would have been needed to withstand the...

Imagine living in the hold of a sailing ship for 63 days, enduring rough seas and autumn storms. As part of a study of the voyage of the Mayflower, class members examine an online resource that details life about the ship, watch a slide...

Students read and analyze the book "A Wizard of Earth sea" by Ursula Le Guinn. They answer discussion questions for each chapter, diagram and label the parts of a sailing ship, conduct research on the meaning of their own name, create a...

Students explore various genres of spoken and written expression. While considering the era of the shipyard and sailing, students describe and document a favorite ship, captain, crew, or life of a sailor. Using this information, they...

Students access a website that show portraits of the Tall Ships of Atlantic Canada. They talk about what it might feel like to be on one of the sailing ships in stormy seas. They write diary entries while role playing that they are on...

In this verb tense worksheet, students review the use of present and past tense verbs. They complete 8 sentences about exploration using a verb from column A in a table with a phrase from column B. They see colorful clip art pictures of...

Students gather information about vitamin C deficiency, and research how scurvy was prevented in sea-going ventures during The Age of Sail. They create a "Scurvy Log" that will allow them to connect what they have learned about scurvy...

In this initial consonant sound of S instructional activity, students color all the spaces in a hidden picture yellow if the word starts with letter S. Students color the rest of the spaces blue. There will be a picture of a sailing ship...

For this Mother Goose vehicles puzzle worksheet, students read a rhyme that mentions a sailing ship. Students cut out 7 pieces and paste them on another paper to make a ship. There is a picture to hint students.

Students examine the construction and operation of various sailing vessels. In groups, they use the internet to make flash cards of the different types of classes of sailing ships. They participate in a game in which they use the cards...

Students research examples of different types of sailing ships, investigating the vessels as well as the politics, economy, and people at the historical time and place the boat was launched. They create displays for a museum exhibit...

Students explore the age of sailing in the colonies through role-playing. In groups, they play the role of a business owner, shipbuilder and geographer to complete specific tasks. They participate in an old World trade show to...

Students participate in a lab experiment in which they discover the need for so many blocks and tackles on sailing ships. In groups, they make and test their predictions and practice measuring objects in various units. They record and...

In this early explorers worksheet, students fill in 2 "Did You Know..." cards with information about early explorers. They see a clip art picture of a sailing ship and have blank lines to fill in on the cards

Students investigate the dimensions of a full-rigged ship and a schooner. Using the dimesions, they calculate and compare the area of the sails. In groups, they create model sails that require modeling and estiminating using the...

Students study Columbus and look at a map to determine where he landed and what would have been a more direct route.  In this studying Columbus instructional activity students discuss what they observed. 

Class members review comparative and superlative forms of adjectives with example sentences. They complete four exercises to practice correct usage. First they choose the appropriate form (from the comparative and superlative) of an...

What kind of sailboat is that? A slideshow presentation outlines the history of sailboats with a series of pictures that demonstrate the design changes over the years, as well as the different classifications of sailboats. 

The journey aboard the Mayflower in 1620 was long and arduous for the Pilgrims set for the New World. Learn about the difficulties of the expedition, including the extended timeframe and cramped quarters, with an informative reading...

Dive your class into a reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins with this in-depth study guide. Breaking the novel into three parts, the resource begins each section with a focus activity that identifies a specific theme or question to be...

The titular Matilda from Roald Dahl's famous novel adored books above all things. Discuss why it is important to read stories from across cultures and around the world using the first chapter from the ever-loved story Matilda.

Students plot the track of a whaling voyage and relate it to ocean currents. They need to explain and use latitude and longitude to plot ship positions on the globe.