Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)
- Understand the concept of Age of Discovery and the importance of this period in History.
- Identify the main nations involved in the Age of Discovery and their motivations.
- Analyze the impacts of the Age of Discovery on the formation and development of the modern world.
Secondary Objectives:
- Develop the ability to research and analyze historical sources.
- Promote group discussion and critical thinking on the topic.
- Encourage reflection on the importance of History for understanding the present.
In this stage, the teacher should clearly explain the lesson's Objectives, ensuring that students understand what is expected of them by the end of the session. It is important to emphasize that these Objectives are not only for theoretical learning but also for developing research, analysis, and critical thinking skills.
Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)
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Recalling previous content: The teacher should start the lesson by briefly reviewing previously studied content related to the lesson's topic. In this case, it may be useful to review the concept of feudalism and the social and economic organization of the Middle Ages, as these factors directly influenced the Age of Discovery. (2 - 3 minutes)
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Problem situation: Next, the teacher can propose two problem situations to arouse students' curiosity and prepare them for the content to be covered.
- The first situation could be: "Imagine you live in 15th-century Europe. What could motivate you to embark on a long sea voyage in search of new territories and riches?"
- The second situation could be: "How do you think the Age of Discovery impacted the lives of people living in the colonized territories?" (3 - 5 minutes)
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Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of the subject, explaining that the Age of Discovery was one of the most significant events in History, bringing radical changes to the world, such as the expansion of trade, the formation of colonial empires, and the beginning of globalization. Additionally, the teacher can mention that the maritime routes opened during this period are still used today. (2 - 3 minutes)
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Introduction to the topic: To capture students' attention and spark their interest in the topic, the teacher can share some curiosities or stories related to the Age of Discovery. Some suggestions are:
- The story of Christopher Columbus and his quest for a new route to the Indies, which led him to discover America.
- The competition between Portugal and Spain to find a maritime route to Asia, resulting in the Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing the New World between the two countries.
- The legend of El Dorado, the city of gold that Spanish explorers believed existed in South America and motivated them to explore the region. (3 - 5 minutes)
By the end of this stage, students should be engaged and motivated to learn more about the Age of Discovery, understanding its historical importance and the complex issues involved.
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
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Theory - What were the Age of Discovery? (8 - 10 minutes)
- The teacher should start by explaining that the Age of Discovery was a period of intense maritime exploration that took place between the 15th and 16th centuries, involving various European nations, mainly Portugal and Spain.
- Next, the main motivation for these voyages should be addressed: the search for new trade routes to the East, especially to the Indies, known as the "Land of Spices".
- The teacher should emphasize that, at the time, the spice trade was very profitable, but the overland route was dangerous and controlled by the Ottomans. This encouraged Europeans to seek an alternative maritime route.
- The teacher should explain that although the search for spices was the main reason, other factors also played a role, such as the expansion of Christianity, scientific curiosity, and the desire for personal glory and wealth.
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Theory - Main nations involved and their motivations (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher should then present the main nations involved in the Age of Discovery, focusing on Portugal, Spain, England, and France. The main motivations of each of these nations should be discussed.
- For Portugal, the main motivation was the search for a route to the Indies that bypassed the African continent. This led to the development of navigation technology, such as the astrolabe and the caravel.
- Spain also sought a route to the Indies but ended up discovering America. This led to the colonization and exploration of vast areas of the American continent.
- England and France, although they participated in the Age of Discovery, entered the competition later and focused more on the exploration of the New World.
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Theory - Impacts of the Age of Discovery (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher should address the impacts of the Age of Discovery, both for the European nations involved and for the explored territories.
- For the European nations, the Age of Discovery brought wealth and power, but also competition and conflict. It led to the development of capitalism and the beginning of globalization.
- For the explored territories, the consequences were mixed. On one hand, there was the destruction of cultures and the exploitation of resources. On the other hand, there was the introduction of new ideas, technologies, and products.
- The teacher should also discuss the issue of slavery, which was intensified during the Age of Discovery. It should be explained how slavery was justified at the time and how it affected the lives of people in the colonized territories.
By the end of this stage, students should have gained a good understanding of what the Age of Discovery was, who the main nations involved were and what their motives were, and what the impacts of these voyages were. The teacher should encourage students to ask questions and actively participate in the discussion.
Return (8 - 10 minutes)
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Connection with Theory (3 - 4 minutes)
- The teacher should start this stage by asking students to reflect on what they learned in the lesson. They should make connections between the theory presented and the problem situations discussed at the beginning of the lesson.
- The teacher can guide this reflection by asking questions like: "How do the motives of the European nations we discussed relate to the situations we proposed at the beginning of the lesson?" or "How could the impacts of the Age of Discovery we discussed have affected the lives of people in the colonized territories in the situations we proposed?"
- Students should have the opportunity to share their reflections with the class. The teacher should encourage all students to participate and respect their classmates' opinions.
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Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher should then suggest that students reflect individually on what they have learned. They should think about questions like: "What was the most important concept I learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?"
- The teacher can suggest that students write down their reflections in a notebook or on a piece of paper. This can help them organize their ideas and remember what they learned.
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Sharing Reflections (2 - 3 minutes)
- Finally, the teacher should give the opportunity for some students to share their reflections with the class. This can help solidify what was learned and clarify any remaining doubts.
- The teacher should encourage students to express their reflections respectfully and listen attentively to their classmates' reflections. This can help them develop critical thinking and empathy skills.
By the end of this stage, students should have had the opportunity to reflect on what they learned and how the acquired knowledge relates to the world around them. The teacher should encourage students to continue reflecting on the topic and to bring their questions and reflections to the next lessons.
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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Content Summary (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher should start the Conclusion by recalling the main points covered during the lesson. This includes the concept of the Age of Discovery, the main nations involved and their motivations, and the impacts of these voyages.
- The teacher can ask students to share what they remember about these points, encouraging active participation from the class.
- It is important for the teacher to make necessary corrections and clarify any doubts that may arise at this moment, ensuring that all students have understood the content.
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Connection between Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes)
- Next, the teacher should explain how the lesson connected the theory about the Age of Discovery with practice, through the discussions and analyses conducted.
- The teacher can also mention some applications of the acquired knowledge, such as understanding historical conflicts, analyzing current international relations, or even inspiring careers in History, Anthropology, or Social Sciences.
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Additional Materials (1 - 2 minutes)
- The teacher should suggest some additional materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Age of Discovery. These may include books, documentaries, websites, or museum visits.
- It is important for the teacher to briefly explain what each material covers and how it can complement what was learned in class.
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Importance of the Subject (1 minute)
- Finally, the teacher should summarize the importance of the Age of Discovery for History and the current world. It should be emphasized how this period influenced the formation of the modern world, through the expansion of trade, the colonization of new territories, and the beginning of globalization.
- The teacher can also highlight the importance of studying History for understanding the present, encouraging students to reflect on how past events continue to influence the world we live in.
By the end of this stage, students should have a clear understanding of the learned content, the connections between theory and practice, and the importance of the subject for History and the current world. The teacher should encourage students to continue exploring the topic and to bring their discoveries and reflections to the next lessons.