USA - Who really discovered America first?

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

The discovery of America

Today's class:

• Watch the clip 'Who discovered America first?'
• Answer questions about what we have seen.
• A cry for help assignment.

Objectives:

• Learn more about America's history.
• Add new words to your vocabulary.

00:43

Many people believe Columbus was the first European to set sail to America. Is this true?

1. Yes, it's true.
2. No, it's false.

01:12

Why did Leif Erikson decide to leave the Americas?

1. The climate was too cold
2. The settlement was too small
3. Native Americans did not want to trade with him
4. He didn't earn enough money

01:45

What is the translation of the word 'voyage'? It starts with the letter "r".

03:25

The 'Amphorae' could be proof that
the Romans were first to discover America.
Why do Historians still have doubts?
(answer in Dutch)

Answers:

' These Amphorae were so regular in fact that it was common practice for a trading ship to just dump them in the water near where they anchored, because it was easier and faster to sail without them weighing down a vessel.'

'Romans trading with the natives of this region'

'A merchant ship being blown off-course on its way to the canary islands or even the wreckage of a ship being deposited here by ocean currents.'

05:05

What the translation for 'blacksmith' in Dutch. It starts with the letter "s".

06:26

Why is it a good possibility that Africans
might have been the first to discover America?
Multiple answers are correct.
Answer in Dutch.

Answers:

'Africa and South America aren't actually terribly far apart from one another'

'The cape Verde islands make a suitable restocking station' + shortens the distance even more.

'Winds around the equatorial Atlantic all blow from Africa to South America'

10:48

'The mast and rudder broke off from the ship' --> What do 'mast' and 'rudder' mean?

1. mast en roer
2. mast en zeil
3. zeil en het stuur
4. roer en zeil

13:59

We still don't really know who actually was the first to discover America.

1. True
2. False

Who do you think was the first to discover America?

Christopher Columbus

Vikings / Scandinavian people

The Irish

Africans

The Polynesian

Creative assignment: A cry for help

Hand out the printed 'a cry for help' assignment to everyone.