Lesson Planning

Discover that the ‘silk road’ and ‘spice routes’ were important ancient highways for trade; enjoy first-hand experience of some of these goods.

Teaching Outcomes:

• To examine a range of sources, piecing together reliable evidence to answer a question.
• To recognise that ideas and knowledge were also exchanged by travellers of trade routes.
• To discover how trade routes linked geographically distant locations and understand that natural resources are location-dependent.

Children will:

• Watch videos and read to discover more about the ‘silk road’ and ‘spice routes’.
• Enjoy first-hand experience of some of these goods, smelling/ tasting/ feeling as appropriate, e.g. pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, silk, ivory, sandalwood, porcelain, rice, cotton, tea, paper, salt, precious stones.
• ‘Pin’ pre-prepared cards on a map to show possible country of origin of many trade-goods.
• Read and discuss a brief biography of Leonardo Fibonacci, to begin to understand the importance of knowledge and innovations travelling the trade routes.