Lesson Overview

This 70-minute lesson (Lesson 2 of 2 in the unit "Exploring Viking Heritage") is designed for a small Year 8 class of 4 students. It focuses on Viking exploration and trade routes within the context of the Australian Curriculum (v9) for History. Students will develop skills in historical inquiry through mapping Viking journeys, analysing trade implications, and exploring the impact of Viking explorations on different cultures. The lesson is designed with differentiation and dyslexia-friendly strategies integrated, alongside extension options to engage advanced learners.

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Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum (v9) – Humanities and Social Sciences – History Year 8

• Content descriptor: AC9HH8K08 — Investigate a significant event, development, turning point or challenge that contributed to continuity and change related to the empire and/or expansion.
• Elaborations relevant to Vikings:
• Identify and analyse evidence of Viking trade routes between Russia and Constantinople.
• Explain the significance of Viking longboats in exploration and trade.
• Investigate the impact of Viking explorations on various cultures and settlements such as Jorvik (York) and Dublin.

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Learning Objective (WALT)

We Are Learning To investigate Viking exploration and its effects on trade.

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Success Criteria

Students will be successful if they:

• Accurately complete a map plotting Viking trade and exploration routes.
• Participate actively and thoughtfully in the Viking trade simulation, demonstrating understanding of trade implications.
• Explain the influence and impact of Viking explorations on different cultures, locations, and histories.

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Resources Required

• Maps (simplified and detailed versions) of Viking exploration and trade routes.
• Graphic organisers for mapping journeys.
• Cards/items representing Viking trade goods (e.g., furs, amber, weapons, slaves, silver coins) for simulation.
• Timeline template for extension activity.
• Pens, markers, large paper or whiteboard for group work.

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Lesson Plan

1. Introduction and Recap (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief recap of Lesson 1: Viking society and daily life.
• Introduce today’s focus: Viking exploration and trade routes.
• Present the WALT and success criteria clearly on the board or screen.
• Show images of Viking longboats and a brief video or animated map of Viking voyages (choose dyslexia-friendly captions).
• Ask students to predict why Vikings explored and traded widely.

2. Mapping Viking Journeys (20 minutes)

Activity:

• Hand out world maps featuring Europe and parts of Asia with basic geographical markers.
• Provide simplified maps for those who need support; encourage advanced learners to use detailed maps and add extra notes on trade goods and cultural contacts.
• Using historical sources and labelled trade routes, students plot the Viking journeys - including routes to Russia (Kiev), Constantinople, Britain, Ireland, and Iceland / Greenland.
• Use graphic organisers (e.g., flow charts or maps with boxes) to help students record key trade products and destinations.

Differentiation:

• Simplified maps and step-by-step guidance for students needing support.
• Advanced learners research and prepare a brief oral presentation on one specific trade route, highlighting cultural interactions and goods exchanged.

3. Viking Trade Simulation (25 minutes)

Setup:

• Each student receives cards representing Viking trade goods. The goal is to trade efficiently with others too, mimicking Viking trading patterns.
• Create ‘stations’ or zones representing different Viking trade regions (e.g., Baltic, Byzantine Empire, British Isles).
• Students will simulate trading by exchanging cards according to historical trade norms (e.g., Vikings traded furs for silver and weapons).

Learning Focus:

• Discuss what goods were valuable and why.
• Reflect on difficulties of long-distance trade (distance, politics, cultural differences).
• Talk about impacts on local cultures and Viking settlements.

Dyslexia-friendly approach:

• Use visuals and icons on trade cards.
• Provide sentence starters or prompts for explaining trades.

4. Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Facilitate a group discussion on:
• What have learners discovered about Viking trade and exploration?
• How might these Viking journeys have affected the people and cultures they encountered?
• Encourage students to connect trade with wider cultural impacts like the spread of technologies or Viking influence on settlements.

5. Extension Activity (if time or for homework)

• Assign students to create a timeline of significant Viking voyages and their impacts, including exploration dates, key trading posts, and cultural exchanges.
• Advanced learners encouraged to include illustrations and explanations.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For diverse learners: Provide simplified maps, graphic organisers, dyslexia-friendly texts, and visual aids.
• For advanced learners: Opportunity to research and present detailed information on Viking trade routes beyond basic mapping.
• For learners needing support: Use of chunked information, sentence starters, and one-on-one guidance during activities.

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Dyslexia-Friendly Options

• Use colour-coded maps and timelines.
• Provide graphic organisers with clear sections.
• Present key vocabulary with visual icons.
• Break tasks into manageable steps.
• Ensure printed materials have clear font, appropriate spacing, and minimal distractions.

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Assessment

• Observation of student ability to accurately plot Viking trade routes on maps.
• Participation in the trade simulation showing understanding of trade mechanisms.
• Contributions to discussion and reflection demonstrating grasp of the impacts of Viking exploration.
• Optional extension timeline assessed for content accuracy and historical understanding.

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This lesson plan offers a hands-on, interactive approach to deepening Year 8 students' understanding of Viking exploration and trade, aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9, while supporting diverse learning needs and encouraging critical historical thinking.

Short summary of curriculum codes referenced:

• AC9HH8K08: Significant event or development related to empire and expansion – Viking trade and exploration
• Emphasis on inquiry skills: analysing evidence, mapping journeys, explaining historical impact