Age group(s) / Subject(s)
5 to7 / History
Topic / Language Level
The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements / Beginner / Intermediate
Description of resource
¨ Christopher Columbus/Neil Armstrong picture cards
¨ Christopher Columbus/ Neil Armstrong stories
¨ Christopher Columbus/ Neil Armstrong word banks
¨ Christopher Columbus/ Neil Armstrong substitution tables
¨ Comparing Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus connect 4 game
¨ Comparing Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus table
¨ Comparing Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus book
¨ Q and A cards
¨ Speaking prompt
Preparation needed
You will need:
¨ For each group of 2 -3 learners
o One set of Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong picture cards and story cards
o One set of Q and A matching cards
¨ For each learner
o A4 copy of the table for each learner (or pair of learners)
o A4 copy of comparing book
o A4 copy of questions prompt
¨ A3 copies of word banks and substitution tables for modelling if required
¨ A4 copy of word banks and substitution tables for each targeted learner
¨ A4 copy of Christopher Columbus substitution table for each targeted learner
¨ Connect 4 board and cards
You will need to:
¨ Print and copy A3 and A4 sheets as required
¨ Print 2 to a page, laminate and cut up picture cards and story cards.
¨ Print Connect 4 game board and laminate.
¨ Print two sets of Connect 4 cards onto card. Laminate and cut out.
¨ Print Q and A cards onto card. Laminate and cut out.
¨ Print pages of comparing book back to back and staple together.
Curriculum objectives
¨ To learn about the lives of significant individuals from different periods of time.
¨ To compare the lives of significant individuals from different periods of time.
Language / literacy objectives
Functions / Structures
¨ Narrating / ¨ Neil Armstrong/Christopher Columbus was/went/walked/ made/sailed/brought back/found …
¨ Comparing / ¨ Neil Armstrong travelled in a space ship but Christopher Columbus traveled in a ship.
¨ Questioning / ¨ Who was….?
¨ Where did ...... go?
¨ What did …. bring back?
Vocabulary
Who, what, where, when, maps, sail, ships, turkeys, found, pineapples, natives, changed, crew, west, astronaut, test pilot, moon, space, lunar module, landed, first, step, leap, mankind
This resource could be used:
¨ whole class
¨ as differentiation within class
¨ one to one or small group
¨ independent learning
Ideas for using the resource
What to do
¨ Picture cards: Introduce new vocabulary using the picture cards. These can be used as flashcards for games such as a matching (pelmanism) or go fish game. The picture cards can also scaffold retelling the story of Christopher Columbus by providing visuals. Vocabulary could also be introduced using learners’ first languages.
¨ Story cards: Use the PowerPoint to tell the story of Christopher Columbus. Use freeze frames or role play for learners to act out parts of the story. Then use the story cards to provide visuals for learners to work in pairs to sequence the story.
¨ Word banks: Model writing part of the story of Christopher Columbus using a shared writing approach. Learners then work in pairs (or individually) to write the story of Christopher Columbus.
¨ Substitution tables: Using an A3 copy of the substitution table, model how to take words from each column to create a sentence. Model two to three sentences using a shared writing approach with learners contributing.
¨ Comparing Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus Connect 4 game: This game is for two learners or small teams. Learners/teams have the yellow or green cards. The first learner picks up a card. They determine if the card refers to Christopher Columbus or Neil Armstrong and place the card on the board. If a player is unable to place a token (e.g. if all the Neil Armstrong squares are covered), they lose their turn. The winner is the player/team who covers four squares in a straight line (horizontal, vertical or diagonal).
¨ Q and A cards: This is a collaborative activity where learners work in pairs to match the questions to the answers.
¨ Questions prompt: Choose two learners, one to be Christopher Columbus and the other to be Neil Armstrong for a hot seating activity. Use the headings in the graphic organiser to ask questions to model the activity, e.g. ‘What was your first job?’
¨ Model recording information in the table. Learners then work in pairs to complete it.
¨ Comparison book: Go through the pages of the book, modelling what learners will be expected to write. Provide learners with word banks to support their writing.
Other ideas for making the best use of this resource
¨ Learners could add more cards to the stories of Christopher Columbus and/or Neil Armstrong after hearing a book being read to them or watching a film.
¨ The comparison book could be altered so that learners draw the pictures or are provided with less of each sentence.
¨ Q and A cards: The answer cards could be discarded and the question cards could be used for a quiz show format.
¨ A comparison book using both learners’ first language and English could be produced.
Possible extension activities
¨ Learners could find out about another explorer/significant individual and compare them with Christopher Columbus and Neil Armstrong.