Our partner in education; Egan Maritime Institute, of Nantucket our combined curriculum “Sea of Opportunities”
When our children are not attending classes they are usually home being constantly bombarded with rapid scene changing videos, hard driving music and video games that demand full attention and quick eye-hand coordination. The marketplace has indeed mastered the art of getting the attention of today’s children. Is it any wonder that keeping students focused in a classroom is a major challenge for any teacher?
Therefore, we must find alternate ways to supplement the in-class lessons and motivate our children to learn. In order to get their attention we must stimulate them, pique their curiosity and provide a venue for exploration. We must offer something better than their electronic virtual worlds and surround them with a captivating shroud of reality. Our answer is a 122-foot, fully rigged time machine.
Our time machine, the American Clipper Schooner Lynx, is more than just an authentic living history museum. It is a world unto itself. An open door to the past that invites the curiosity of our youth and gives them a genuine appreciation for the daily conveniences they all take for granted.
The Lynx lifestyle was the every day reality of the 1812 sailor. It was practically their entire world. The ship sustained their existence and provided them with a means to preserve this country’s freedom. It does not take long for the techno-child of today to realize that life was difficult back then and that fighting for freedom was no video game. The roar of just one of the Lynx cannons will punctuate that fact.
The interactive Lynx educational program enlightens, challenges and inspires the students to think, absorb, retain and work as a team. In addition, it provides teachers a solid medium to capture the child’s imagination, focus their attention and put the history lessons of this beautiful country’s defense into perspective.
Education Programs
Giving students the ability to explore, they become inspired to learn. The Lynx Education Program can be adapted to a wide variety of curricula and educational needs.
Teacher Information
After input from educators and teachers, the Lynx Education Program allows students a singular opportunity to expand their horizons.
It also lets teachers teach by example and gives them a way
to focus student attention.
Working side-by-side with teachers and school administrators, we offer a complete syllabus so that introduction into the LYNX program from their existing 5th and 8th grade American history course is seamless.The Lynx curriculum combines traditional maritime instruction with modern educational requirements.
5th – 8th Grade Educational Program
American history and our country’s ongoing defense of freedom come to life through Privateer Lynx‘s hands-on highly motivating, Standards-based education program. Lynx offers students many opportunities for enrichment with a strong interdisciplinary focus on history/social science and language arts. Educational programming consists of four one-hour lesson plans, teacher supplemental materials, and a dockside tour or sail aboard Privateer Lynx.
Dockside Curriculum:
Free 1 1/2 hour lesson
25 person minimum / 40 person maximum
Students will participate in a 1.5 hour lesson, on board the ship, in port, between the hours of 9:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm – 4:00 pm. Students will learn the skills of a sailor, hoist a sail, tour the ship, and experience the 19th century maritime history. All lessons are taught from the perspective of a privateer crew, focusing on the integral roles they played.
Sailing Curriculum:
$35.00 per person 2021/ 22this is free if you would like to sponsor please contact 978.479.2197
25 person minimum / 40 person maximum
Students will participate in a three-hour lesson (9:00am – 12:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm) at sea.Students will will join a watch, hoist the sails, steer the ship, sing shanteys, and become part of the privateer crew aboard Lynx.
Teacher Information
The three purposes of the Lynx Education Program are:
to teach historic maritime traditions of the young American nation;
to demonstrate seamanship skills and responsibilities; and
to experience sail training as a workshop for personal growth.
The first Lynx curriculum combines traditional maritime instruction with modern educational requirements. The second curriculum focuses on scientific techniques regarding water, weather and more. Lynx educators work closely with teachers and schools to develop pertinent scholastic strategies and appropriate lesson plans.The Lynx education programs meet the State of California Curriculum Standards and have been endorsed by the Orange County Department of Education. Lynx is an Officially Approved Venue for field trips buy the LAUSD in California and the Pinellas County Schools in Florida.
5th – 8th Grade Standards-Based Educational Program
Curriculum Outline
Curriculum Objective
Students will recognize the War of 1812 as a significant element of American heritage and as a turning point in the development of our national identity.
Preparatory Lesson
This activity is a word-search designed to introduce students to the new vocabulary of the curriculum. This lesson is supplemental; it can be assigned as independent work or it can be incorporated into a six-day program.
Lesson One
Students will watch a historical video about the war of 1812 while simultaneously completing a worksheet. The worksheet highlights material in the film that students will use in subsequent lessons. The teacher will introduce the lesson, and the War of 1812, and will lead the class in a worksheet review discussion at the end of the video. 5th Grade: History/Social Science Standards 5.7.6; 5.2.3; 8th Grade: History/Social Science 8.5.1
Lesson Two
In groups, using character profiles, students will read about a character of the era and will answer specific, reflective questions, in order to then “recreate” their character. Students will work collaboratively to draw the character in such a way that the picture includes components of both the individual and the political or socioeconomic group that they represent.Character portraits will be posted in the classroom. Students will present the character to the class during lesson five. 5th Grade: History/Social Science Standard 5.8; 8th Grade: History/Social Science 8.6, Language Arts, Reading 2.0, 3.3, Speaking 1.3, 2.1, 2.2
Lesson Three
In groups, students will read historical content about a battle, engagement or event of the War of 1812 and will form a 5-frame storyboard about the events of the battle. These storyboards will be posted in the classroom to be presented by the group to the rest of the class during lesson five. 5th Grade: History/Social Science Standards 5.7.6; 5.2.3; 8th Grade: History/Social Science 8.5, 8.6, Language Arts, Reading 2.0
Lesson Four
Students will join the ship either dockside or at sea. Students will meet characters of the era, learn about privateering during the War of 1812, and experience the daily life of a sailor. Students will retrace the events of the war, hoist the sails, and sing sea shanteys. All materials and lesson plans are provided – excluding transportation to and from the dock site. 5th Grade: History/Social Science Standard 5.3.6; 8th Grade: History/Social Science 8.5
Lesson Five
Students will present character pictures and storyboards to the rest of the class in a “gallery walk.” Students will then engage in reflective thinking as they assemble connections between political and social events. They will review the “Star Spangled Banner,” and its genesis in the War of 1812, before writing a reflective essay. 5th Grade: Language Arts Standard, Reading 3.0, Writing 1.0; 8th Grade: History/Social Science 8.5, 8.6, Language Arts, Reading 2.0, 3.0, 3.3, Writing 1.0, Listening & Speaking 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2
Science Curriculum
Elementary/High School Standards-Based Science Program
Curriculum Outline
Introduction to science program (10 min) Entire class together:
Brief overview of what we will be doing (examining water quality, sinking ships, and observing weather properties) Divide into 3 groups and send one group off with each instructor
Bow Station: Life Science: Water Quality & Food Chains (30 min)
Science Content Standards for California:
Life Science- Grade 4- 2a, 2b, 3b, 3c; Grade 6- 5a, 5b, 5e.
Investigation and Experimentation- Grade 5- 6h.
Observe marine wildlife (birds, mammals)
Discuss how these animals depend on plants and animals living in water (plankton, fish, etc)
Discuss food chains/webs
Number of plants & animals in the water depends on quality (“health”) of water:
Collect & observe plankton
Measure & Record temperature & clarity
Measure & Record water properties: nutrients (nitrate & phosphate), pH, dO
How these properties relate to organisms in the water:
Nutrients to phytoplankton, pH to phytoplankton & zooplankton, dO produced by phytoplankton, used by zooplankton
(& us as it enters the atmosphere)Amidships: Physical Science: Buoyancy, Ballast, & Ship Design (30 min)
Science Content Standards for California:
Investigation and Experimentation- Grade 4- 6a, 6b, 6c, 6dCompare hydrometer levels in fresh and salt water – discuss density & how relates to boats
Explore vessel’s ability to carry cargo in salt & fresh water:
Make boat out of tin foil
Put in salt/fresh water, record how many weights can hold before sinking
Put in fresh/salt water, record how many weights can hold before sinking Discuss observations
What it means for ships that hold more cargo in salt (ocean) than fresh (ports)
Discuss ballast and how important for shipping & different ballast types (stones, water)
Discuss what ship design held most cargo & how ship design important for crewQuarter Deck: Earth Science: Weather (30 min)
Science Content Standards for California:
Earth Science- Grade 5- 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4d, 4e; Grade 6- 4a, 4e.
Investigation and Experimentation- Grade 4- 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d; Grade 5- 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 7a, 7b, 7c.Discuss sayings about weather & how relates to clouds
Observe & record cloud cover & type with cloud chart
Discuss other things that are important for sailors to know about weather (wind, temp, humidity)
Measure & Record:
Determine wind direction with ship’s compass or hand-held for students
Determine air pressure with aneroid barometer
Determine wind speed with Beaufort Wind Scale chart
Determine temperature with thermometer
Determine humidity with sling psychrometer
Discuss what these readings might mean for weather tomorrowScience Program Wrap-Up (20 min) All group together again
Discuss what was observed & learned
Discuss what students can do to help keep the oceans, harbors & creeks healthyOfficial LAUSD Field Trip Site – Vendor # available upon request
For more information on Lynx tours, voyages, charters, sailing programs, job opportunities and merchandise email The Lynx Educational Foundation at: info@tallshiplynx.org or call 727-474-4727.
Therefore, we must find alternate ways to supplement the in-class lessons and motivate our children to learn. In order to get their attention we must stimulate them, pique their curiosity and provide a venue for exploration. We must offer something better than their electronic virtual worlds and surround them with a captivating shroud of reality. Our answer is a 122-foot, fully rigged time machine.
Working side-by-side with teachers and school administrators, we offer a complete syllabus so that introduction into the LYNX program from their existing 5th and 8th grade American history course is seamless.The Lynx curriculum combines traditional maritime instruction with modern educational requirements.