Grade 5, Unit 2 Above Level Exploring with Amerigo Vespucci By Ellen B. Cutler Summary Amerigo Vespucci is a key fi gure in the exploration of the Western Hemisphere, yet there is relatively little information about his travels. Most scholars agree that he made two voyages west, the fi rst under the Spanish fl ag and the second for Portugal. There is also evidence that Vespucci was the fi rst to realize that the lands he saw were continents, and not islands, but that they were uncharted territory separate from Asia. Vespucci’s description of the land and its peoples were popularized through the publication of his letters. The cartographer Waldseemüller’s suggestion in 1507 that the newly explored land be named America after Vespucci was quickly accepted in contemporary language. None- theless, Vespucci’s accomplishments remain the subject of controversy and the number and dating of his voyages still come under question. Before Reading 3. Why are people unsure how many voyages Building Background Vespucci made to the Americas? (Information Build background for the book by allowing stu- about his voyages comes from copies of the dents to observe the book’s art and predict what letters he write to friends. Some of those some of the topics covered will be. Make sure copies may not be correct.) students are familiar with the key vocabulary 4. How did Vespucci know that the lands he and and concepts. Encourage students to discuss Columbus had found were not the Indies? and share what they may already know about (Vespucci used an almanac to fi gure out how Amerigo Vespucci. far he was from Ferrara, Italy. He realized that he had not gone nearly far enough to Vocabulary reach the Indies.) expedition, astronomy, seafarer, maritime, embark, latitude, longitude, astrolabe, cartographer After Reading Comprehension Skill: Sequence Writing Events in sequence are listed in the order in Using the library or the Internet, research early which they happened. Sometimes writers use maps from Ptolemy’s book on geography and words such as before, initially, after, later, and maps drawn in the 1500s. Compare both of these fi nally to signal sequence. The dates of events will types of maps to a modern map of the world. help you keep them in correct sequence. As you What are some of the differences among the read, think about the sequence of the important maps? Write two or three paragraphs about your events in the life of Amerigo Vespucci. research. Write your paragraphs on a separate , Inc. sheet of paper. During Reading Organize Information Think Critically Graphic Organizer: Sequence of Events Chart 1. Why was it necessary to fi nd a sea route to Have students use the Sequence of Events chart © Pearson Education Asia? (The land routes to India and China to create a time line for the life of Amerigo were diffi cult to travel and wars made them Vespucci. very dangerous.) 2. How did Amerigo Vespucci prepare for the job of navigator? (He studied geography, math, and astronomy. He worked for a business that stocked ships that were going to sea, and talked to seafarers, such as Christopher Columbus.) SSS_LR_TG_G5U2_C.inddS_LR_TG_G5U2_C.indd 1 33/4/05/4/05 110:41:270:41:27 AAMM Name: Make a time line of important events in the life of Amerigo Vespucci. ✔ Make a time line of important events in the life of Amerigo Vespucci. Sequence , Inc. © Pearson Education SSS_LR_TG_G5U2_C.inddS_LR_TG_G5U2_C.indd 2 33/4/05/4/05 110:41:280:41:28 AAMM.