You learned in Unit 2 that the oceans were the "highways of the 1400s." European explorers jumped onboard to travel great distances in search of new lands. Early explorers relied on the North Star to guide them. Would you be able to find your way home using only the North Star? The explorers had trouble, too! They needed a better way. What inventions helped the explorers?
What did early ships look like?
What is a cartographer?
How does an astrolabe work?
Where is the Cape of Needles?
Are you ready? Look for answers to the questions. Visit the Web site in Step 2 to learn more about the inventions that improved navigation. Write a short paragraph that examines the cause and effect relationship between these inventions and the success of early explorers.
Step 2. Research
Visit the Web site "Latitude" and check out the inventions that helped improve navigation. Type your thoughts about these inventions inside the boxes.
Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn how to save a picture from a Web page.
