Objective

By the end of this lesson, Jaspen will be able to apply mathematical concepts to understand various aspects of Viking life, including their trading systems, shipbuilding dimensions, and the calculations involved in navigation and timekeeping, all while exploring the fascinating world of Vikings.

Materials and Prep

• Pencil and paper for calculations and notes
• Calculator (if needed)
• Access to a computer or tablet for research (optional)
• Background knowledge of Viking history and culture (basic understanding is helpful)

Activities

• Viking Trade Math: Jaspen will create a simple trading system using fictional Viking goods (like furs, fish, and silver). He will assign values to each good and calculate how many of each he would need to trade to acquire a certain amount of another good. This will help him understand ratios and proportions.

• Shipbuilding Dimensions: Using the dimensions of a Viking longship, Jaspen will calculate the area of the ship's sail and the volume of the ship's hull. He will learn about geometric shapes and how they apply to real-world structures.

• Viking Navigation Challenge: Jaspen will simulate a Viking navigation scenario where he must calculate distances between different locations using a map. He will learn about scale and how to convert measurements.

• Timekeeping in the Viking Age: Jaspen will explore how Vikings measured time using sundials and water clocks. He will create a simple sundial and calculate how it would work over the course of a day, integrating concepts of angles and time.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that Vikings were not just warriors but also skilled traders? They used math to figure out how much their goods were worth and how to trade effectively!"
• "When building their ships, Vikings had to consider the dimensions very carefully. Can you imagine how much math goes into creating something that can navigate the rough seas?"
• "Navigation was crucial for Vikings. They traveled long distances, and understanding scale and distance was essential for their journeys. Let's see how they did it!"
• "Timekeeping was different back then. Instead of clocks, they used sundials and water clocks. How do you think they calculated the time using the sun?"