John Cabot

Target Curriculum: History and Social Science

Target Grade: 3

SOLs: HSS.3.2  

Objective:
* The student will identify John Cabot as an explorer.
* The student will be able to recall his motivations, obstacles, achievements, and sponsor.

Purpose:
To introduce students to John Cabot in a fun and memorable way.

Materials:
1. Script of "This is Your Life."
2. Posterboard props for characters.

Procedure:
1.Explain to students they are going to do a play called "This is Your Life John Cabot."
2. Select students for the following characters:
a. Host
b. John Cabot
c. England
d. Direct Route
e. Obstacles
1. Small Ship
2. Poor Weather
3. Poor Maps
f. North America
g. Newfoundland
h. Claim to England Flag

THIS IS YOUR LIFE JOHN CABOT

HOST: Welcome to "This is Your Life!" (Applause). Each week a new guest takes a trip down memory lane. We reunite our guest with old friends and good times. Our guest this week is John Cabot. Yes, that’s right folks. The well-known explorer John Cabot. (John Cabot enters, Applause) John, are you ready to play "This is Your Life!"?

JOHN: As always, I’m ready to set sail for adventure.

HOST: O.K. John, listen to our first mystery guest and the clues. See if you can remember your greatest supporter.

ENGLAND: John, I supported you when Spain and Portugal would not. I bought into your idea that sailing west across the north Atlantic to Asia would be shorter and quicker than Columbus’ southerly route. I gave you permission to claim lands in my name.

JOHN: It can’t be? Is it my sponsor, England?

HOST: It is! Come on out, England! (Applause.
England and John shake hands and pat each other’s back. England sits beside of John.) John, this is just the beginning. Listen to our second mystery guest.

DIRECT ROUTE: John, without me you wouldn’t have gone exploring. I am the reason you went sailing into the unknown.

JOHN: Yes! I know you. You motivated me to find a more direct route to Asia. Why, without you, I‘d still be a spice trader. You have to be Direct Route.

HOST: John, you are right again! (Applause as Direct Route enters, gives high five to Cabot, and sits down.) Let’s hear from our next guests.

OBSTACLES: John, we sure gave you a rough time. We tried to discourage you, but you didn’t let us stop you!

OBSTACLE ONE: Remember me, John? I gave you and your crew shelter on the open seas. I was packed with as much food and supplies as I could hold. I weathered the storms as best I could. If only I had been bigger, your job would have been easier.

JOHN: How could I forget my trusty Small Ship? (Small Ship enters.) I’ve missed cruising the seas with you, old pal. (John and Small Ship sail around the room before being seated.)

OBSTACLE TWO: How have you been, John? I’ve been feeling a little under the weather lately. The rumbling in my head has been driving me crazy and my eyes have been watering something terrible. Surely you have not forgotten me. We spent many days on the open waters together.

JOHN: Are you kidding? How could I forget those dark and stormy nights. (Poor Weather enters gloomily and hugs John.) Poor Weather. (John pats him on the back.) I hoped you had overcome your ailments. I guess some things never change. (Poor Weather and John sit down.)

HOST: Well, John, there is one more member of the Obstacle family. Obstacle Number Three, tell us how you made John’s journey difficult.

OBSTACLE THREE: It really wasn’t my fault that John had a difficult journey. You see, my creator was not as knowledgeable about the oceans as he thought. So, when John tried to follow my directions, I often left him wandering about the seas. I still have John’s corrections drawn on me.

JOHN: (Poor Maps enters.) Poor Maps, I’ve have been trying to locate you for years. I’ve been so lost without you. We must plan a trip as soon as possible. It will be just like old times. You giving me directions, the two of us getting lost, and me drawing corrections on you.

HOST: I know you have big plans, but we’re not finished. John, listen to our next guests.

NORTH AMERICA and NEWFOUNDLAND: John, we are your achievements. You explored us and told others about us. Your stories made others want to visit. You are our hero.

JOHN: I can’t believe it! North America and Newfoundland! (John, N. America, and Newfoundland dance around.) Wait! I almost forgot. Where is Claim to England Flag? (Claim to England Flag enters.)

CLAIM to ENGLAND: John, I was afraid you had forgotten me as one of your achievements. You know, without me, no one would have known that you claimed North America for England. I want you to know that I stood tall through rain, sleet, and snow.

JOHN: I’m so proud of you, Claim to England Flag. I’m proud of you all. Each of you have supported me and made me the explorer I am today.

HOST: Well, as you can see, John Cabot’s life has been an exciting one. England, a country which supported John when no one else would.(Applause)
Direct Route, his motivation for exploring a shorter route to Asia. (Applause) The Obstacles, Small Ship, Poor Weather, and Poor Maps, who gave John a rough ride over rocky seas. (Applause)
Finally, his achievements, exploration of North America and Newfoundland, and the Claim to North America for Engalnd. (Applause)

Please tune in next week for a new "This is Your Life!" episode. See you then.

Have students write a summary about John Cabot.

Observations:
Students have a difficult time remembering which facts go with which explorer. I would recommend dividing the class into groups and allowing time for character development. Of course, while practicing the play, they are learning.

Conclusions:
I found when students participate in a play, they usually remember a great deal of information. They get excited and involved in their learning.

Extension:
1.As a final activity, I place a map of the world on a bulletin board. I use different colored string to show the routes of each explorer. I have the students tell me the sponsors, motivations, obstacles, and the achievements. I staple small cards with the information accordingly. This is a great review and visual.