Explorers!

This is a project all about explorers. Explorers go on expeditions around the world to find new places. Would you like to be an explorer? We will be learning about Christopher Columbus, who explored America. There are all sorts of activities here to find out all about Christopher Columbus and the continent of America. Please don’t feel pressured to complete all of them! It would be great for children to be doing a mixture of art, history etc., but do feel free to choose the ones that interest your child the most, as they will learn the most when they are having fun!

Activities History

1. Watch a video to find out about Christopher Columbus on BBC bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhpchbk/articles/znchkmn

2. Read some of the events that happened to Christopher Columbus and put them in the order they happened.

3. Write a report about Christopher Columbus to explain all about him. You can use this writing frame to help you if you want.

Science North America is a huge continent. In the north, there is a country called Canada. It stretches right up to the Arctic, a polar region with lots of snow and ice. In the South, Mexico is a country near the equator. It is very hot and there are deserts. There isn’t as much rain as there is here in the UK. The Arctic in Canada:

Mexico near the equator:

1. Dressing up – your turn to be an explorer Get dressed or pack a bag to visit the Arctic in Canada. Get dressed or pack a bag to visit Mexico, near the Equator. What kinds of things will you need? What’s the same? What’s different? What kinds of materials have been used to make the clothes or objects you have

packed?

2. Animal sorting – where do they live? Arctic or Desert? How do you know? Video and game: desert habitat: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zx882hv/articles/zsqnfg8

Video and game: polar habitats https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zx882hv/articles/z3sr4wx

Draw and label 5 animals who live in the desert. Draw and label 5 animals who live in the arctic.

3. Choose an animal that lives in the Arctic. How is it adapted to live in the Arctic? Draw a picture and write words or sentences to explain how it can survive in such a cold place.

4. Choose an animal that lives in the desert. How is it adapted to live in the desert? Draw a picture and write words or sentences to explain how it can survive in such a hot place.

Geography

1. Use this world map or Google Maps (you could turn on satellite view) to find: Your house Slimbridge Primary School The continent Europe The continent North America The United States of America Canada Mexico The North Pole The South Pole The Equator

2. Using this picture or your own compass if you have one, put up North, East, South and West posters in a room in your house. Choose a starting point. Can you give directions from one place to another? Eg. Start in the kitchen. Take 2 steps north. 1 step east. 3 Steps south.

3. Go for a walk with your parent or carer. Write down or draw all of the different things you see (houses, schools, parks, roads, motorways, churches, rivers, car parks, woods…)

4. Imagine you are an explorer! Make a map using teabags to make it look old. Can you add any of the places you have learned about on the map? Can you use your map to choose a starting point and write directions?

Instructions: 1. Rip around the edges of the

paper 2. Use pencils to draw your map 3. Dip a teabag in warm water.

Squeeze it so it’s not too wet. Wipe it over your map to make it brown and old looking.

4. Leave it to dry.

PE I hope you’re all still having fun with Joe Wicks. There are all sorts of different exercise videos for kids coming out at the moment, so I hope there is something you enjoy. Here’s a great active game all about ships, just like the one Christopher Columbus sailed on.

Art and DT

Christopher Columbus travelled on a boat across the Atlantic Ocean to find America. When he was alive there were no aeroplanes or helicopters- they hadn’t been invented yet. How can explorers get around today? You can make some of your own transport. Paper aeroplanes and paper helicopters – you can name them and decorate them too!

Toy parachutes

This is a great project but very hands on! Adult help needed Choose your bravest toy to become an explorer. Make them a parachute so they can skydive from their paper aeroplane into undiscovered places (or from the window!).

Portrait – Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus lived over 500 years ago. There were no cameras or phones to take pictures on. We know what he looked like because someone painted a picture of him. This is called a portrait. Can you draw a portrait of Christopher Columbus using this painting as a guide? Can you draw a portrait of yourself or a family member (or even a pet!). You could use pencils or paints – get creative!