Exploring the World: Maps and Photographs

Entering the Discovery Portal

 Let's start with a remarkably interesting fact! Did you know that the first aerial photograph was taken in 1858 by a Frenchman named Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, better known as Nadar? He took to the skies in a hot air balloon and captured an impressive image of Paris from above. This was revolutionary for the time, and since then the technology has only advanced, allowing us to explore the world digitally today through amazing tools like Google Earth.

Quizz:  Imagine how incredible it would be to be in Nadar's place, crossing the skies and mapping the world from above! What if you were aerial detectives in search of hidden treasures in our neighborhood? How would you use maps and photographs to find important places?

Exploring the Surface

 Maps and photographs are powerful tools for exploring and understanding the world around us. But what exactly are these tools, and how do they work? Let's discover together!

Maps are visual representations of space, showing the positioning of different places and features within an area. They can be viewed from a vertical perspective, as if we were looking from above, like a bird soaring high in the sky. This helps us see the overall layout of objects and places, such as streets, buildings, and parks. Meanwhile, oblique images are captured from an angle, as if we are taking a photo from the side, giving a more three-dimensional feel of the objects.

Nowadays, we use advanced technology, like Google Earth, which allows us to explore the world interactively and realistically, zooming in on details and navigating through different territories. With these tools, we can easily identify our school, our home, and other important locations in our daily lives. This ability to understand and interpret maps and photographs is essential, as it helps us locate places and make informed decisions about our space and community.

Understanding Views: Vertical and Oblique

 Imagine you are a bird flying over your school. From above, everything looks tiny and you can see the entire place. This is the vertical view, as if you were keeping an eye on a world map. You notice how the streets connect, where the buildings, parks, and even that soccer field where you play with your friends are! It's like a giant board game!

 Now imagine you are standing in front of your school, taking a selfie with your phone. The photo will showcase the school building from an angle that reveals its height and depth. This is the oblique view – slightly tilted, giving a better sense of how three-dimensional things really are. It's like looking at a puppet in a puppet theater, better understanding its features and the environment around it.

 Both the vertical and oblique views are essential for understanding spaces and locations. Using the vertical view helps to plan routes and perceive the organization of places, while the oblique view gives us more details about the appearance and dimensions of objects. Now, how about being the explorer and using both views to discover important places around you?

Proposed Activity: Photographer Explorer

 Take two photos of the front of your house or school: one from the roof (vertical view) and another from the sidewalk (oblique view). Compare the photos and note the differences in the arrangement of objects. Post both photos in the class WhatsApp group and comment on what you noticed as different in each image.

Google Earth: Navigating like a Pro

 Let's talk about a magical tool of our time: Google Earth! Imagine you have a spaceship (okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but it works). With it, you can explore any corner of the world without leaving your chair. It's like being the captain of an interplanetary expedition, with the difference that your journey is right here on Earth!

 Using Google Earth, you can zoom in to see the streets of your city and easily identify where your school, your house, parks, and even that ice cream shop on the corner are. Oh, and there's more! You can switch between the vertical and oblique views, meaning you can see everything from above or as if you're walking down the streets.

️ Google Earth allows you to explore amazing details of places. You can see everything from the busy avenues of São Paulo to the coral reefs in Australia! And the best part: you can mark important points you find, like a true explorer documenting your discoveries. Shall we embark on this digital journey?

Proposed Activity: Space Navigator

 Choose a place you've always wanted to visit on Google Earth. It could be the zoo, the city park, or the library. Explore the location and take photos from different angles (vertical and oblique). Write a brief report about what you found and post it in the class forum.

Digital Maps: Tools of the Future

 Your parents used giant, foldable maps to go anywhere. Now you just open a navigation app on your phone. Digital maps have made our lives easier in amazing ways. With a quick tap, you can see how to get to the mall, find the best route to your friends' houses, and even discover new tourist spots in the city!

️ But how do these digital maps work? They are constantly updated with satellite data, GPS, and information provided by users around the world (including you!). This allows digital maps not only to show locations but also to provide updated details, such as traffic, new establishments, and recently opened streets.

⏳ Before we relied so heavily on our beloved digital maps, imagine the confusion! Now, with all this technology, we can explore the world with more safety and precision. It's like having a tour guide in your pocket, always ready to help. So, how about using this advantage to explore something new today?

Proposed Activity: Digital Explorer

 Open the Maps app on your phone and select 'satellite' mode. Search for your home or school and explore the surrounding area. Identify at least three new places you didn't know about and share it in the class WhatsApp group, telling about your experience.

Photographs: Capturing the World

 Everyone loves taking photos, right? But what if these photos could tell stories about the place where you live? Photographs are an amazing way to capture moments and important locations, serving much more than just funny selfies with silly filters. They help us document and better understand our environment.

 When we take a picture of a place, we are not just capturing its current appearance, but also its story. In oblique photos, for example, we get more details about the shape and texture of objects. These images can show us how time has changed the landscape and how buildings have evolved – it's like a time capsule!

 A well-taken photograph can be worth more than a thousand words. And you can use your photographic skills to create your own map of your neighborhood, like putting together a sticker album, but in digital form. That way, you not only have fun but also learn more about the places where you live. Come on, adventure photographer!

Proposed Activity: Historian Photographer

 Use your camera or smartphone to take photos of three places you like in your neighborhood – a park, a snack bar, an interesting building. Edit the photos if you want and create a short story about each place. Post in the class forum your three photos and the story you created.

Creative Studio

️ In a map, we fly high, a bird gliding, Vertically we see everything, endless possibilities aside. Oblique are the angles, in selfies we capture, Dimension and depth, shapes to uncover.

 With Google Earth in hand, we travel the vast expanse, From the avenues at home to the reefs in advance. We explore with precision, our digital craft, From São Paulo to Australia, the journey is a gift.

️ Digital maps, tools of the future, Constantly updated, saving us from the suture. Guide our steps, lead to discovery, With a touch, revealing secrets, in perfect recovery.

✨ Adventure photographer, stories to tell, With captured images, time to preserve so well. We document our neighborhood, every corner and its moonlight, We learn and move forward, always ready to ignite.

Reflections

• How do vertical and oblique views help us better understand our space? Think about the different perspectives and how they influence our perception of places.
• In what ways have Google Earth and digital maps transformed our way of exploring the world? Reflect on the changes brought by technology and its applicability in everyday life.
• Why is it important to document places through photographs? Consider how images capture history and the evolution of locations around us.
• How can we use the information learned about maps and photographs to make informed decisions about our community? Think of practical examples where this knowledge can be useful.
• What new skills do we acquire by learning to use digital tools for spatial analysis? Assess how these competencies can be applied in different everyday and future situations.

Your Turn...

Reflection Journal

Write and share with your class three of your own reflections on the topic.

Systematize

Create a mind map on the topic studied and share it with your class.

Conclusion

️✨ Throughout this chapter, you dove into the fascinating universe of maps and photographs. You explored different views, navigated incredible digital tools like Google Earth, and captured the world around you with the eyes of a true explorer. This knowledge is fundamental to understanding our space and making informed decisions about our community. Now, get ready to put all this into practice in our active class!

 To prepare better, review your notes, organize the photos and maps you've collected, and think about how to explain your findings to your classmates. In the active class, you will have the opportunity to lead a project, use digital technologies, and share your insights. Pay attention to the details and bring all your creativity and curiosity! The world is ready to be explored – and you are our main geographical detective!