History of Navigation Teacher Resources

Historians have proven that as early as 1497 skilled navigators were using a kamal to sail across oceans. Scholars learn about navigation tools and astronomy before building their own kamals. They then learn how to use it to determine...

Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...

Rather than simply listing what happened, Herodotus sought to find out the why of events. Rather than simply labeling Herodotus The Father of History, here's a video that explains why he was given this title.

What does the discovery of 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers and the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang reveal about ancient Chinese culture? A great deal! Take a look at this fascinating archaeological find and explore ancient Chinese social...

When Aki Kurose was 16 years old, her family was forced to relocate from their home in Seattle with other Japanese Americans. The government feared that despite their loyalty to the United States, they were operating on behalf of the...

What is sadness? How is it part of the human experience, and does it have any value? Explore how the concept of sadness has evolved throughout history and across cultures, and discuss its ties to philosophy and implications for...

Explore connections within and between informational texts with this lesson plan about encyclopedia articles. Middle schoolers write encyclopedia articles focusing on topics in American history. They discuss how to determine credibility...

Need an online resource to supplement the paper textbook in your classroom? An all-encompassing website covers historical events throughout the last half of the second millenium, leading right up to the third. From the pre-Columbian...

A fascinating lecture on history by David Christian, who is known for an interdisciplinary approach called Big History. His talk is enhanced by computer graphics and diagrams, but holds its own simply by its span of disciplines. Hear...

Is there a relationship between mathematics and history? In this video, Jean-Baptiste Michel explains how our technological advancements will afford many opportunities for mathematics to play an integral role in revealing key trends in...

Whether or not it is an Olympic year, young athletes will be inspired by this brief, animated history of the Olympics and the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius." 

What numbers should not be shared? Numbers thoughout history have been banned for one reason or another. The resource provides details of illegal numbers and compares them to the written and spoken word. Discussion brings the idea of...

How did the coastline of France become known as Normandy? Pupils investigate the rise and fall of the Normans and their impacts on European history and culture. They analyze the invaders of France using a short video clip and scholar-led...

How did ancient Egyptians treat a scorpion bite? Scholars analyze the life of a doctor during trying times of Ancient Egypt. They investigate treatments and issues that arise with the various medical concerns of the era. To conclude,...

Byzantine princess Anna Komnene took the motto, “If you want it done right, do it yourself,” to heart, penning a 500-page history of her father’s reign. Her tales of Byzantine Emperor Alexios’s reign attempt to balance truth with family...

A short video traces the practice of cannibalism through history and across cultures. Viewers may be shocked to learn the extend to which it is practiced today, even in the United States.

Just exactly what is social dancing? What does social dancing have to do with the African American community and African American history? The narrator of this short video explains how social dancing can support the culture of a...

Middle schoolers take a close look at the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation system. They study how the Army Corps of Engineers built and monitor the system. Learners discover how a lock and a dam work, and study three benefits of...

Sanges, Portugal is of great significance in the world of ancient exploration. It was what was believed to be" Land's End," but as we now know it wasn't! Learn all about the travels and navigational triumphs of Prince Henry the...

Behind the closed doors of natural history museums lies a hidden world of scientific research and discovery that goes unseen for visitors. Follow along as this short video explores different scientific mysteries that have been solved...

Beach Boys and beach bunnies, woodies and long boards, the Billabong Pipeline Masters and Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational. Ah, but there's much more to surfing  than riding waves. A short video traces the sometimes dark history of this...

Since 1900 BCE the cocoa bean has been harvested, but much has changed in the ways it is harvested today. Watch and learn about the history of chocolate in an informative and interesting video.

The mythical story of Shennong, the Chinese inventor of agriculture, introduces a video that traces the history of tea, the various methods of brewing, and the wars sparked by the attempts to prevent the spread of tea growing. 

An irreverently illustrated video history of how human societies have honored their dead is both suitable and thought-provoking for high schoolers in the frame of mind to step back from the sadness of death. Scholars...