The Walking Classroom

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Marco Polo

Today’s Walking Classroom podcast discusses the adventures of the famous 13th-century Italian explorer, Marco Polo. He is famous for traveling to the Far East and working for the Great Kublai Khan in what is now called China. The book he wrote about his travels still captures our imagination, but many believe the stories may be an exaggeration.

Health Message: Benefits of sleep & a healthy breakfast
Character Value: Integrity

Click for Standards Alignment

Common Core

L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:
RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RH.6-8.4

Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads

Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Marco Polo Google Quiz https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1x-0IW5PkkBvmJkfCwaGb1mXDRdGokVfZTsUFqrx4haU/copy

Slide Deck:
Marco Polo Slide Deck https://thewalkingclassroom.box.com/s/z3i14oosp80sqf0rgdfjrj57qf0nt4ky

Related Videos:


The Silk Road: Connecting the Ancient World through Trade
5:19

Explains the Silk Road and its importance in world history.


Marco Polo (Biography)
2:11

Presents an overview of the life and times of adventurer and merchant, Marco Polo.

Additional Resources:


Silk Road Virtual Tour
Virtual Field Trip

Explore various sites along the Silk Road, on which Marco Polo travelled.


Crossing the Deserts
Online Activity

Explore different parts of Marco Polo’s route (Activity 5) in this activity from the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Marco Polo Mural or Timeline
Multi-Day Project

Make a mural or timeline (Activity 1) about different parts of Marco Polo’s life in this project from the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Marco Polo Worksheet
Printable or Worksheet

Learn more about the travels of Marco Polo, and create a journal entry as if you were an explorer like him in this abcteach.com activity.


Marco Polo’s Book
Hands-on Activity

Describe, in words or pictures (Activity 2), some of the most unusual parts of Marco Polo’s travels using this activity from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Social Studies
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