INTRODUCTION
The Relevance of the Topic
To not get lost! - Knowing about the cardinal points is like having a compass in your head. It is essential to understand how we locate ourselves on planet Earth and how to find places without getting lost. This knowledge is the basis of orientation, used by explorers, navigators, and even by us when we go to a new place.
Beyond the map! - The cardinal points are not just for reading maps; they are in the weather forecast, in the way we build our houses, and even in the directions we follow during a walk. All this shows how important it is to know the North, South, East, and West.
Contextualization
The world is a great adventure! - In Science, we explore the world around us. Understanding the cardinal points helps to better know the space where we live and how we relate to it. Like a compass that guides the pen to draw a circle, the cardinal points help us trace the path on the earth's surface.
The school treasure map - This topic fits into the curriculum as a tool for other subjects as well. In History, we learn about the great navigations; in Geography, we learn about the different countries and their locations; in Mathematics, we use the points to understand coordinates. The cardinal points are key pieces in various areas of knowledge, fundamental for intellectual growth.
A step towards great discoveries! - Knowing the cardinal points is like taking the first step on a journey of discoveries. With them, we can start to explore, ask, and understand the world in a way that will make each student a little explorer!
THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT
Components
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North (N):
- It is the cardinal point that shows the way to the geographic North Pole of the Earth.
- It is always at the top of maps and is where the compass needle points.
- It serves as a reference to find the other cardinal points.
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South (S):
- Points to the geographic South Pole, opposite to the North.
- When we know where the North is, we turn to the opposite side to find the South.
- Important for understanding the direction of air currents and the climate.
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East (E) or Orient:
- It is where the sun rises, also known as "east".
- It is to the right of the North, when facing it.
- Remember: the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
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West (W) or Occident:
- Where the sun sets, called "west".
- It is to the left of the North, following the same logic.
- Following the sun is a natural method to identify East and West.
Key Terms
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Cardinal Points:
- These are the four main directions that make up the compass rose.
- North, South, East, and West form the basis for location and navigation.
- Used worldwide to describe direction and position.
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Compass Rose:
- A figure that shows the cardinal, subcardinal, and collateral points.
- Helps to understand how the cardinal points relate to each other.
- In the past, it was used for navigation at sea.
Examples and Cases
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Using a Compass:
- A compass has a magnetic needle that always points to the North.
- When holding the compass, rotate until the "N" marking aligns with the needle.
- Now, you know where the North, South, East, and West are!
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Orient yourself by the Sun:
- If you are lost during the day, remember: the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
- In the morning, the sun will be more towards the East side, and in the afternoon, more towards the West side.
- This can help find your direction without a compass.
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Finding the South by the Southern Cross:
- In the southern hemisphere, we can find the south using the constellation of the Southern Cross.
- Look for a group of stars in the shape of a tilted cross.
- Draw an imaginary line from the longer axis of the cross downwards, and you will be pointing to the South.
DETAILED SUMMARY
Relevant Points
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Identification of the Cardinal Points:
- The North is the starting point to find the other cardinal points.
- The South is located in the opposite direction to the North.
- The East, also called Orient, is where the sun rises.
- The West, or Occident, is where the sun sets.
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Use of the Compass:
- The compass needle always points to the North.
- Positioning the compass correctly allows identifying all the cardinal points.
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Compass Rose:
- A tool that shows the relationship between the cardinal, subcardinal, and collateral points.
- It was essential for navigators of past centuries and is still useful today.
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Observation of the Sun:
- Observing the position of the sun at sunrise and sunset helps to identify the East and West.
- This orientation is useful when you do not have a compass at hand.
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Southern Cross Constellation:
- In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a reference to locate the South cardinal point at night.
Conclusions
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Foundations of Orientation:
- The cardinal points are the basis for orienting and locating ourselves in space.
- They are important tools for navigation and for understanding terrestrial geography.
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Practice and Observation:
- Practicing with a compass and observing the environment helps to solidify knowledge about the cardinal points.
- Learning to use the cardinal points develops autonomy and navigation skills.
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Interdisciplinarity:
- Knowledge about the cardinal points connects with various areas, such as Geography, History, and Sciences.
- This connection helps to understand the practical importance of the cardinal points in different contexts.
Exercises
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Treasure Hunt with Compass:
- Use a compass to follow a series of instructions that lead to the "treasure". For example: "Walk 10 steps to the North, then 20 steps to the East".
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Draw the Compass Rose:
- Ask to draw a compass rose in the notebook and mark the cardinal, subcardinal, and collateral points.
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Orient yourself by the Sun:
- During recess or an outdoor activity, ask students to inform where the East and West are by observing the position of the sun and later verify with a compass.
With these exercises, students will be able to experience in practice the theoretical knowledge acquired about the cardinal points, reinforcing their understanding and orientation skills.
