A VOYAGE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MARCO POLO

PART 1: Learn More About 13^th Century Venice & Marco Polo's background

• Use the links below to learn more about Venice during the 13^th century.

• Once you have explored Venice in detail, you will write a letter from Marco Polo to a friend from another city (see the 1^st page of your webquest packet)

  • Your letter should be in proper letter format (greeting, closing, date, paragraph).

  • It should describe to the friend what Venice was like during Marco Polo's time.

  • Include LOTS of vivid details and be sure to tell the friend why Marco Polo might consider traveling to other places.

  • Needs to be at least ½ page long or more.

SITES ABOUT VENICE:

• Photos of Venice

• More information about Venice

• Panoramic view of Venice

PART 2: Mapping Marco Polo's Route

• Use the two maps below to draw Marco Polo's route in marker on your map. Label as many of the countries that he passed through as you can.

• Then make some observations about his route – which parts seem the most challenging and why? The easiest and why? Write your answers on the back of your map.

MAPS OF MARCO POLO'S ROUTE

• Map of his route

• Another map (a bit more complicated!)

PART 3: What Was the Journey Like?

• Browse through the links below to look at pictures of the places on Marco Polo's route. Think about what he might have thought about the different places he saw.

• Then design a postcard that Marco Polo might have sent to his friends back in Venice.

  • Use the page in your packet to draw your postcard.

  • It needs to have a picture drawn in colored pencil in one box representing a sight he would have seen on his journey (use the online pictures as your inspiration).

  • In the other box, write a short message from Marco Polo to a friend describing some of the things he would have seen on his journey. Be detailed and specific!

PHOTOS OF MARCO POLO'S JOURNEY

• A large photo of some mountains in Afghanistan that Marco Polo crossed

• Several photos of what Marco Polo's route looks like today

• A photo of a place like where Marco Polo might have slept

• More Silk Road photos

• Photos of camels – this is how Marco Polo traveled: Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

PART 4: Marco Polo's Journey by Sea from China to India

• As you know, after 17 years in China, Marco Polo and his father and uncle finally had an opportunity to return home. Kublai Khan asked them to lead an expedition to deliver a Mongol princess to Persia, where she was to be married. On the way home from Persia, they spent five months on the island of Sumatra, waiting for the monsoon rains to end.

• Look at these photos of what Marco Polo's journey by sea might have been like and what he would have seen during his 5 months in Sumatra.

• Make a list of at least 5 different challenges that Marco Polo would have faced on this leg of his journey.

PHOTOS OF MARCO POLO'S JOURNEY BY SEA TO INDIA

• Pictures of boats like the ones Marco Polo would have used (click on the small photos on the left of the screen to make the pictures larger).

• Check out these photo albums about Sri Lanka to see what the area looks like.

PART 5: The Spice Trade

• Spices were an important reason why explorers went to faraway places. Why were spices so important to the countries and explorers?

• Pick one fact you learned about spices and the spice trade and illustrate it. Don't forget to label your illustration with a clear caption. Your illustration must be in COLOR!

SPICE TRADE INFORMATION

• Check out this site (read the introduction, then the links titled “Spices in the Middle Ages” and “The Age of Discovery”)

  PART 6: The Journey Home

• Browse the sites below to learn about Marco Polo's journey home.

• Choose 5 interesting facts you've learned about this part of his journey. Then create a crossword puzzle using graph paper. Your puzzle's clues should relate to the facts you chose. You can also include other information about Marco Polo's life in your puzzle.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE JOURNEY HOME

• Check out this map of Marco Polo's journey home

• Carefully read this page describing Marco Polo's journey home. Don't forget to read the “Did You Know?” section at the bottom to learn some interesting information about Christopher Columbus.

  PART 7: Wrap-up

• Watch this nine minute movie reviewing Marco Polo's life and journey: Movie "The Marco Polo Odyssey"

• Now take an online review Quiz about Marco Polo