L E S S O N P L A N

SUBJECT: Social Studies

GRADE LEVEL: 8^th Grade (± 2 Grades)

DURATION OF LESSON: Two 40-minute periods

LESSON TITLE: Creating a Compass for Vasco da Gama’s Explorations

NJ CORE CURRICULUM CONTENT STANDARDS:

6.3

All students will demonstrate knowledge of world history in order to understand life and events in the past and how they relate to the present and the future.

6.3.8 D.

The Age of Global Encounters

6.3.8 D.1

Discuss factors that contributed to oceanic travel and exploration in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, including technological innovations in ship building, navigation, naval warfare, navigational inventions such as a compass, and the impact of wind currents on major trade routes.

FOCUS DISCUSSION:

· Discuss the life and times of Vasco da Gama.

· Discuss the geological destinations of da Gama’s explorations

· Discuss what influences and changes that occurred due to the explorations of Vasco da Gama.

· Discuss how the invention of the compass contributed to oceanic travel in the 15th and 16^th centuries.

· Describe the scientific principles of the compass.

· Discuss steps involved in creating a navigational compass from ordinary materials.

OBJECTIVES: Students will create a navigational compass from ordinary materials.

PRE-REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: none

MATERIALS:

· Vasco da Gama Biography (1 per student)

· Compass Assembly Instructions (1 per studnet)

· Square box with sides no more than 2" high (bottom of a half-gallon milk carton will do)

· Cardboard circle small enough to lay flat in bottom of box

· 1 1/2" nail with head

· 1 large paper clip, straightened

· Compass rose (can download from website listed below)

· Magnet (one from the front of the refrigerator will do)

· Glue or tape

DESCRIPTION OF LESSON:

Teacher Will:

· Lead the students through a discussion about Vasco da Gama and the geological locations of his explorations including their impact on the world during the Renaissance and how the invention of navigational instruments contributed to oceanic travel.

· Explain to the students the scientific principles of what makes a compass work.

· Discuss the steps involved in creating a navigational compass out of ordinary materials.

Students Will:

· Participate in a discussion about the life and times of Vasco da Gama and the scientific principles of what makes a compass work.

· Follow the provided instructions to create a navigational compass out of ordinary.

ASSESSMENT:

Evaluation of completed compass

SELF REFLECTION OF LESSON: