Norsemen

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/norsemen

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cultural affiliation?Germanic peoples originating from Scandinavia
2. How did the Norsemen travel so far?They built longships that were fast, maneuverable, and seaworthy, and they were very good at navigation.
3. Where did the Norsemen settle?They settled in places like Iceland, Greenland, and even reached North America, and they also made colonies in many parts of Europe.

Old Norse: The ancient North Germanic language spoken by the Norsemen, ancestor to modern Scandinavian languages.
Viking Age: A period of extensive Norse seafaring, exploration, raiding, trading, and settlement across Europe and beyond.
Longship: A sophisticated and versatile Norse vessel characterized by its speed, shallow draft, and ability to sail in open seas and rivers.
Sagas: Narrative works, often historical or mythological, written in Old Norse, providing crucial insights into Norse culture and history.