Lesson Plan: The Influence of Navigational Instruments on Global Navigation
Subject: History
Grade Level: Year 3
Duration: 60 minutes
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Explain how various navigational instruments were developed and their significance in exploring the world.
- Use Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary related to navigation, exploration, and technology.
Materials Needed
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector or smart board
- Pictures of navigational instruments (e.g., compass, astrolabe, sextant)
- World map
- Worksheets for group activities
- Video clip on the history of navigation
Introduction (10 minutes)
- Greeting and Warm-Up: Begin by welcoming the students and asking them what they know about explorers and navigation. Use prompts like:
- “What tools do you think explorers used to find their way?”
- “Can anyone tell me about a famous explorer?”
- Introduce Key Vocabulary: Write down the following words on the board: navigation, explore, compass, astrolabe, sextant, and cartography. Briefly explain each term using clear, student-friendly language.
Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
- The Importance of Navigation: Explain why navigation is crucial for explorers. Discuss how it helps them find new lands, map oceans, and connect different parts of the world.
- Exploring Each Instrument:
- Compass: Show a picture of a compass. Explain how it helps determine direction and why knowing the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) was important for explorers.
- Astrolabe: Display an image of an astrolabe and explain its role in measuring the position of stars to help sailors navigate at sea.
- Sextant: Show a sextant and describe how it allows navigators to measure the angle between two visible objects, such as the horizon and a star, to find their position.
- Video Clip: Present a short video (2-3 minutes) summarising the history of navigation and the instruments used.
Guided Practice (15 minutes)
- Group Activity: Divide students into small groups. Give each group a different navigational instrument (compass, astrolabe, sextant) to research using their worksheets.
- Research Task: Each group will:
- Describe what their navigational instrument is and how it works.
- Share one interesting fact about its history or use.
Sharing and Discussion (10 minutes)
- Have each group present their findings to the class. Encourage other groups to ask questions and offer additional facts they may know.
- Engage students in a discussion: “How do you think these tools changed the way people explored the world?”
Conclusion (5 minutes)
- Review the key vocabulary words as a class. Ask students to explain each term in their own words.
- Exit Ticket: Hand each student a small card. Ask them to write down one thing they learned about navigational instruments and one question they still have.
Assessment
- Observe students during group work and discussions to assess understanding of the content and vocabulary.
- Collect the exit tickets to gauge students’ learning and areas that may need further exploration in future lessons.
Extensions
- Encourage students to draw a map of a fictional land using a compass rose to indicate directions.
- Provide additional resources on famous explorers who used these instruments for students interested in further exploration.
This lesson plan introduces Year 3 students to the vital role navigational instruments played in shaping global navigation, enhancing their understanding of history through engaging activities and discussion.