The Vikings lived a thousand years ago — but they are hiding in your week! Some of our day names come from Viking gods. Thursday means Thor's day, named for the god of thunder. Wednesday comes from the god Odin, and Friday from the goddess Frigg.
Viking words snuck into English too. Words like sky, egg, window, and happy all came from the Vikings' language, called Old Norse.
The Viking spirit of exploring lives on as well. Every time scientists explore the deep sea or send rockets into space, they are curious and brave — just like Viking sailors crossing an unknown ocean.
1. Which day of the week is named for Thor?
2. Name two English words that came from the Vikings.
3. What was the Vikings' language called?
4. How are today's explorers like the Vikings?
Match each day to the Viking god or goddess it was named for. Write the letter: A (Thor), B (Odin), C (Frigg).
| Day | Named for (A, B, or C) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | |
| Friday |
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
1. Vikings explored new places. What is a place YOU would love to explore? What would you bring?
2. If a day of the week were named after you, what would it be called?
1. is named for Thor, the god of thunder.
2. Wednesday comes from the god .
3. The word came from the Viking language.
4. The Vikings spoke Old .
5. Scientists today are just like the Vikings were.
Be a word detective at home! These words came from the Vikings: sky, egg, window, happy, knife, cake.
Walk around your house with a grown-up. Find real things that match the Viking words and check them off. Then use two of the words in one silly sentence!
| Viking word | I found it! (✓) |
|---|---|
| egg | |
| window | |
| knife | |
| cake |
| I learned... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| Which days are named for Viking gods | YES / NOT YET |
| English words that came from Old Norse | YES / NOT YET |
| How the Viking spirit lives on | YES / NOT YET |