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The Worlds of the Renaissance: Projects

Worlds of the Renaissance

A cross-curricular activity, adaptable for 8th through 12th graders, on Christopher Columbus, The History of Cartography, Navigation, and Map Reading Skills.

Dawn Schlepko

Contents

I. History of Cartography Through the Renaissance

Objective: To help students gain an appreciation and awareness of the history of map making.

II. Reading and Understanding Latitude and Longitude on Maps

Objective: Students will read and interpret maps and they will be able to pinpoint various locations on a globe using latitude and longitude.

III. Using an Astrolabe

Objective: Students will construct and use an astrolabe, a navigational device used by Christopher Columbus, to estimate the latitude and longitude of their school.

IV. The Story of Christopher Columbus

Objective: Students will investigate closely the reasons leading up to and the events during Columbus’ 4 voyages to the New World.

V. Journal of a Voyage

Objective: Students will creatively relive Columbus’ voyages to the New World through the act of keeping a daily log and solving various hypothetical voyage problems.

VI. Bibliography (for students’ use)

*Note: This project is highly adaptable to the age and level of the students involved. Some parts of the projects may be supplemented, excluded, or changed to fit the needs of the students and teachers.

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