The Vikings are a very interesting people to study in part because so much of their history is related to them pillaging and thieving from other peoples. They were particularly fond of picking on monasteries–presumably because monks were not so feisty. However, if you read extensively on the Vikings, what you discover is that they were a deeply family oriented people. They were also fairly religious although it’s notable that they stopped raiding surrounding areas when they converted to Christianity. Here are a few ideas for studying the Vikings.
Geography
Vikings, as you probably are aware are from the Northern most parts of the earth. They made habitable the uninhabitable by living just below (and sometimes inside) the Artic circle. If you can get a printable map of Iceland, Greenland, North Eastern Canada, and surround areas, you can trace their raids.
Note: Considering their time, the Vikings were great colonizers. It is presumed they were so interested in colonizing other areas as a result of living in harsh Arctic temperatures. This is a great opportunity to look at how cultures and people groups adapt to living in harsh climates. If you have an older child, you can do a mini project comparing and contrasting the ways that Inuits and other people groups from the Northern extremes adapted to their harsh environments verses the Vikings.
Water Proof Science
What makes something waterproof? The Vikings’ survival depended on their ability to build incredible war ships. They used animal fur dipped in tar to seal a ship and make it water proof. Experiment with your own water proofing and see if you can create a popsicle ship (I suggest a raft unless you have a prolific engineer) that is essentially water proof. Take it a step further and think about what they did to their clothing to make it withstand the elements.
Nautical Math
Find a map of the routes that the Vikings sailed. How long might it have taken for them to make that type of voyage? How far did they travel? If your child is older, have him consider how much food they needed, how long they would’ve been gone and how currents may have affected their route.
Viking Books
Here are a few good reads on the Vikings:
The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow
V is for Viking: A Minnesota Alphabet
The Historic Misadvetures of Hiccup the Viking
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Viking Explorer
Look soon for my blog on notebooking your way through history. It has pictures of my daughter’s Viking notebooking and step by step directions!
Other Unit Study Starters:
The New Seven Wonders of the World
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.