Title: Key Information - The Colonial Era of the Galápagos Islands

Introduction:
The Galápagos Islands are located in the
Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles off the coast
of Ecuador.
In 1535, Spanish bishop Tomás de Berlanga
accidentally discovered the islands during his
voyage from Panama to Peru.
Background Information:
The Galápagos Islands were uninhabited by
humans in 1535.
The islands were home to unique and diverse
wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine
iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
The Discovery of the Galápagos Islands:
Bishop Berlanga and his crew were amazed
by the strange and unusual creatures they found on the islands.
These creatures would later become famous as the "Galápagos wildlife."
The Impact of Colonial Exploration:
The Galápagos Islands became a stopping point for explorers and pirates over time.
European sailors introduced non-native plants and animals to the islands, which had
both positive and negative effects on the local ecosystem.
Life in the Colonial Era:
Life for explorers and sailors who visited the Galápagos Islands during the Colonial Era
was challenging.
They had to rely on the islands for fresh water and food.
The isolation of the islands added to the difficulties they faced.
Conclusion:
The discovery of the Galápagos Islands in 1535 had a lasting impact on the islands'
ecosystem and history.
Discussion Questions:
Why were the Galápagos Islands significant during the Colonial Era?
What were some of the unique creatures discovered by Bishop Berlanga on the
islands?
How did the arrival of explorers impact the ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands?
What challenges do you think explorers and sailors faced during their visits to the
islands?
Homework Assignment (optional):
Write a paragraph describing what you would do if you were one of the first explorers
to arrive on the Galápagos Islands in 1535.

introduction to Bishop Tomás de Berlanga:

"Today, we're going to step back in time to the year 1535 and meet a special person
named Bishop Tomás de Berlanga. Imagine a world without smartphones, cars, or
airplanes – a world filled with mysteries and unknown places waiting to be discovered.
Who Was Bishop Tomás de Berlanga?
Bishop Tomás de Berlanga was not an ordinary explorer; he was actually a Spanish
bishop. Now, you might be wondering, what was a bishop doing exploring new lands?
Well, it all happened by accident!
The Accidental Explorer:
Bishop Berlanga was on a ship, sailing from Panama to Peru. You know, back then,
people didn't have GPS or maps like we do today, so sometimes they had to rely on
their instincts and the stars to guide them.
The Unexpected Discovery:
One day, as Bishop Berlanga and his crew were sailing, they got caught in calm, quiet
waters, and the wind stopped blowing. They didn't know where they were going, and
they were drifting for days. Can you imagine being stuck on a ship in the middle of
nowhere?
The Galápagos Islands:
Eventually, after days of drifting, they stumbled upon something amazing. They saw
strange and unknown islands in the distance. These islands would later be known as
the Galápagos Islands. But back then, no one had ever seen them before!
Unique Discoveries:
When they landed on these islands, Bishop Berlanga and his crew found something
incredible – animals and plants that were unlike anything they had ever seen. They
found giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and many other unique
creatures. It was like stepping into a whole new world!
Impact on History:
Bishop Berlanga's accidental discovery would have a big impact on the world. It led to
more explorers and sailors visiting the Galápagos Islands and learning about the
amazing wildlife and the islands' secrets.
So, today, we're going to learn about the Galápagos Islands during Bishop Berlanga's
time, and how this accidental discovery changed the course of history. Are you ready to
explore this fascinating journey with us?"
Discussion (5 minutes):
Ask the students if they have any questions about Bishop Berlanga and his accidental
discovery of the Galápagos Islands. Encourage them to share any thoughts or
curiosities they have about this historical event.
Exploration Activity (15 minutes): 2. Show pictures or illustrations of some of the
unique Galápagos wildlife that Bishop Berlanga and his crew encountered, such as
giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
Engage the students in a discussion about these animals. Ask questions like:
What do you find interesting or unique about these animals?
Why do you think they have such unusual names like "blue-footed boobies"?
How do you think these animals might have surprised Bishop Berlanga and his crew?
Interactive Mapping Activity (10 minutes): 4. Provide a map of the Galápagos Islands
and ask the students to mark the approximate location where Bishop Berlanga and his
crew made their accidental discovery.
Discuss how navigation was different in the 16th century compared to today, and why
it might have been easy to get lost at sea.
Impact of the Discovery (10 minutes): 6. Talk about the impact of Bishop Berlanga's
discovery on the Galápagos Islands. Mention that after the discovery, more explorers
and sailors visited the islands, which had both positive and negative effects on the
environment.
Ask the students to brainstorm ideas on how the arrival of new people and animals
might have affected the islands.
Storytelling Time (10 minutes): 8. Share a short, age-appropriate story or excerpt from
a book about Bishop Berlanga's accidental discovery and his experiences on the
Galápagos Islands.
Encourage the students to use their imagination to picture what life might have been
like for Bishop Berlanga and his crew during their unexpected adventure.
Questions and Discussion (5 minutes): 10. Open the floor for any questions or
comments the students might have about what they've learned so far. You can also ask
them to share any interesting facts or observations they've made during the lesson.
Homework Assignment (5 minutes, if desired): 11. Assign a simple homework task,
such as drawing a picture of one of the unique animals from the Galápagos Islands or
writing a short paragraph about what they find most fascinating about Bishop
Berlanga's discovery.
Conclusion (5 minutes): 12. Summarize the key points covered in the class, including
the accidental discovery of the Galápagos Islands by Bishop Berlanga and the impact of
this discovery on the islands and their wildlife.
Next Class Preview (2 minutes): 13. Give the students a brief preview of what they'll be
learning in the next class. For example, you could mention that you'll be exploring
more about the unique animals of the Galápagos Islands and their adaptations.
Thank You and Farewell (2 minutes): 14. Thank the students for their participation and
enthusiasm during the class. Encourage them to keep their curiosity alive and be ready
for the next exciting lesson about the Galápagos Islands.
Introduction (10 minutes):
Activity: "Locate the Galápagos"
Provide students with a world map or a globe and ask them to find the Galápagos
Islands. This hands-on activity helps them understand the islands' location in relation
to the rest of the world.
The Discovery (15 minutes):
Activity: "Discover the Islands"
Show pictures or illustrations of the Galápagos Islands and some of the unique wildlife.
Then, have a discussion where students take turns sharing what they find most
fascinating about each animal or feature. Encourage them to ask questions about what
they see.
Life in the Colonial Era (10 minutes):
Activity: "Sailor's Life Drawing"
Provide students with drawing materials and ask them to create a simple drawing or
comic strip depicting what life might have been like for sailors during the Colonial Era.
This activity encourages creative thinking and helps students visualize the historical
context.
Impact of Exploration (10 minutes):
Activity: "Positive or Negative Impact?"
Provide a list of introduced plants and animals, both positive (e.g., new sources of
food) and negative (e.g., invasive species), that explorers brought to the Galápagos
Islands. Divide students into pairs and have them discuss and debate the positive and
negative impacts of these introductions. Then, they can share their conclusions with
the class.
Exploration Activity (15 minutes):
Activity: "Mapping Adventure"
Divide students into pairs or small groups. Provide each group with a blank map of the
Galápagos Islands and a set of stickers or markers. Instruct them to mark the
approximate location where Bishop Berlanga and his crew made their accidental
discovery. This activity reinforces geography skills and historical context.
Impact of the Discovery (10 minutes):
Activity: "Ecosystem Dominoes"
Create a simplified food web or ecosystem diagram of the Galápagos Islands on the
whiteboard. Have students take turns removing an introduced species from the
ecosystem, explaining how it affects other species. This visual activity helps students
grasp the concept of ecological balance.
Storytelling Time (10 minutes):
Activity: "Imagine and Act"
Select a volunteer or take turns as a class acting out a short scene from a story about
Bishop Berlanga's discovery. This activity encourages creativity, empathy, and an
understanding of historical events through storytelling.
Questions and Discussion (5 minutes):
Activity: "Fact or Fiction Quiz"
Provide a list of statements related to Bishop Berlanga's discovery and the Galápagos
Islands. Some statements should be factual, while others could be fictional or
exaggerated. Ask students to identify whether each statement is "fact" or "fiction" and
explain their reasoning.
Homework Assignment (5 minutes, if desired):
Activity: "Creature Creations"
Assign students the task of drawing a fictional animal that they think could exist on the
Galápagos Islands. Encourage them to think about unique adaptations that the animal
might have to survive in such an environment.