Objectives (5 - 10 minutes)

1. Introduce the concept of cardinal points (north, south, east, and west) and their importance in spatial orientation.
2. Teach students how to identify the cardinal points in a simple representation of a compass rose.
3. Develop students' ability to use cardinal points to orient themselves in different everyday situations, such as outdoor games or on a school map.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Stimulate students' curiosity and interest in science and the world around them.
2. Promote interaction and teamwork among students through practical and playful activities.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Content review: The teacher should start by quickly reviewing with the students the concepts of right and left, which were addressed in previous classes. For this, simple activities can be proposed, such as asking students to point to the right or left, or to move to these sides in the classroom.

2. Problem situations: The teacher can then propose two situations that involve the need to orient oneself in space:

   • First situation: 'Imagine we are playing hide and seek in the park. How can we orient ourselves to find our friends who are hiding?'
   • Second situation: 'Now, let's imagine we are on a school field trip and need to find the bathroom or our classroom. How can we orient ourselves in the school hallway?'

3. Contextualization: Next, the teacher can explain that there are ways to orient oneself in space, even if there are no signs or signals. They can show the students a compass and explain that it helps us find the cardinal points. The teacher can also mention that in the past, people used the stars and the sun to orient themselves.

4. Curiosity: To spark students' interest, the teacher can share two curiosities about the cardinal points:

   • First curiosity: 'Did you know that the cardinal points were created by the ancient Romans? They observed that the sun always rose from one side and set on the other, and used this information to orient themselves.'
   • Second curiosity: 'What if I told you that, even without a compass, we can find the north? We will learn that later in the lesson!'

With this introduction, students will be ready to learn more about the cardinal points and how they can help us in spatial orientation.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

In this stage, the teacher should propose practical and playful activities to help students understand the cardinal points. The following suggestions are just ideas, and the teacher can choose one or more according to the available time and the dynamics of the class.

Activity 1: Building a Compass Rose

1. The teacher distributes to each group of students (which should be formed beforehand) a piece of cardboard, a pen, a ruler, and a small nail or sewing pin.
2. They should draw a large circle on the cardboard and, in its center, fix the nail or pin.
3. Then, the teacher guides the class to divide the circle into four equal parts, representing the cardinal points (north, south, east, and west). The north point should always point upwards.
4. Next, they should draw a diagonal line in each of the four parts, representing the collateral points (northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest).

Activity 2: Treasure Hunt

1. The teacher should hide small objects around the classroom or the external area, if possible, such as a park or a courtyard.
2. Each group of students receives a 'treasure map' (which is a simple drawing of the classroom or the external space) and a toy compass.
3. They use the compass to orient themselves and find the hidden objects.
4. The first group to find all the objects wins.

Activity 3: The Direction Game

1. The teacher draws a large compass rose on the floor with adhesive tape.
2. The students are divided into two teams. Each team receives a toy compass.
3. The teacher says a cardinal point, and the goal of the game is for the students, using the compass, to find the correct direction and run to step on the right point of the compass rose.
4. The team that reaches the correct point first earns a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

In these activities, students will have the opportunity to manipulate concrete materials, interact with each other, and at the same time, learn about the cardinal points in a practical and fun way. Additionally, they will be developing observation skills, motor coordination, and teamwork.

Return (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Group discussion (5 - 7 minutes): The teacher gathers all students in the large group and asks each group to present what they discovered during the activities. They should explain how they built the compass rose, how they used the compass to orient themselves, or how they did in the treasure hunt. The teacher should encourage students to share their experiences, difficulties, and discoveries, reinforcing the idea that everyone has something important to contribute.

2. Connection to theory (3 - 5 minutes): After the presentations, the teacher should revisit the theoretical concepts discussed at the beginning of the lesson and make the connection with the practical activities. For example, they can ask how building the compass rose helped students better understand the cardinal points, or how the compass was useful in the treasure hunt. The teacher should emphasize that theory is important to understand the world around us, but practice is what truly helps us learn.

3. Individual reflection (2 - 3 minutes): To conclude the lesson, the teacher suggests that students reflect for a minute on what they have learned. They can ask two simple questions to guide this reflection:

   • First question: 'How can you use what you learned today in your lives?'
   • Second question: 'What did you like most about today's lesson and why?'

4. Teacher feedback (1 minute): The teacher then asks some students to share their answers, reinforcing the positive points that were mentioned. For example, they can praise the creativity of a group in building the compass rose, or the orientation skills of another group in the treasure hunt. Positive feedback is important to motivate students and reinforce the idea that they are capable of learning and excelling in different areas.

This return moment is essential to consolidate learning, promote reflection and self-assessment of students, and for the teacher to verify if the lesson objectives were achieved. Additionally, it helps to create an environment of respect, appreciation, and trust, which are essential for meaningful learning.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Lesson Summary (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should summarize the main points covered during the lesson. They can start by recalling the importance of orienting ourselves in space and how the cardinal points help us in this task. Then, they can recap the practical activities carried out, highlighting what students learned from each of them. Finally, they can reinforce the idea that theory and practice are complementary and that together they help us better understand the world around us.

2. Theory and Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should explain how the lesson connected the theory of cardinal points with the practice of the activities carried out. They can mention, for example, how building the compass rose allowed students to visually see the position of the cardinal points concretely, or how the treasure hunt and the direction game applied the concepts in a playful and fun way. The teacher should emphasize that theory is important, but it is in practice that we truly learn.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher can suggest some extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the subject. They can recommend, for example, educational websites with interactive games about cardinal points, curiosity books about nature and space, or documentaries that address the topic. The teacher should remind students that learning is not limited to the classroom and that they can and should explore the world around them to learn more and more.

4. Importance of the Subject (1 minute): To conclude, the teacher should briefly explain the importance of what was learned. They can mention that cardinal points are fundamental for orienting ourselves in space, whether in a game of hide and seek or on a school field trip. Additionally, they can highlight that understanding the cardinal points helps us better understand the world and respect nature, as they are directly linked to the movements of the Earth and the position of the sun in the sky.

The conclusion is an important moment to consolidate what was learned, reinforce the connection between theory and practice, and awaken in students curiosity and the desire to learn more. Additionally, it helps make learning more meaningful and relevant to students' lives, which is essential for their intellectual and social development.