Goal:

The students will think critically about difficulties with early sailing and, thus, develop an appreciation for history.

Resources/Materials:

1. A copy of "The Bounty" (1984).

2. Video equipment (VCR, TV)

Time:

This entire lesson should take approximately 1 hour to 1 and 1/2 hours. (Parts 1-2 should take about 10 to 20 minutes. Part 3 takes 30 minutes. Parts 4-5 should take 15 to 30 minutes. Part 6 should take 5 to 10 minutes.)

Procedure:

1. Introduce the movie clip by talking about its setting and what the students are to see. (The students will view the beginnings of a late 18th century attempt at rounding Cape Horn.)

2. Inform the students to look for historical problems with sailing, difficulties that Mr. Bowditch faced on his voyages and write them down.

3. Show the first 30 minutes of "The Bounty".

4. The students will discuss their findings of historical problems.

5. The students will discuss how ocean voyages are easier now due to scientific discoveries and inventions.

6. Conclude with a discussion about how history has helped to make our lives easier.

Assessment:

Each student will be asked to participate in the discussion after the film. Criteria for success: each student will note one difficulty in earlier sailing that they viewed from the film.

Curricular Strands & Major Concepts:

1. Social Studies - acknowledgment of how our history affects the present.

2. Language Arts - the uses of movies to educate.

3. Science - the discussion of inventions.

Possible Extensions:

1. Study the jobs of the crew of a ship.

2. Chart a map of their journeys.

3. Make a model of the ship.

Sailing into the 21st Century - developed by Angela Hammerlind, Renee Kust, & Kevin Feyen

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This page submitted by St. Norbert Ocean Voyagers Program