all about lighthouses - elm grove primary school, brighton...lamp gallery deck a lighthouse there...

A LighthouseThere are over 100 lighthouses around the UK.

All about Lighthouses

Photo courtesy of James Cull (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

History of Lighthouses• The first lighthouse

was built in Egypt over 2000 years ago.

• The first British lighthouse was built in Devon.

• The light used to come from lamps burning oil or candles.

• They now use electricity.

lantern room

lamp

What Is a Lighthouse?• A building that gives out light.

• It helps to keep boats safe.

gallery deck

Interesting Fact

The oldest working

lighthouse is in Spain.

lightning rod

visit twinkl.com of 10

Questions1. Tick the word which means the same as ‘away from harm’.

2. Where was the first British lighthouse built? Tick one.

3. How long ago was the first lighthouse built? Tick one.

4. Lighthouses use electricity. Tick one.

5. Tick one thing you would find in a lighthouse.


danger

safe

problem

false

true

100 years

1000 years

2000 years

Devon

Derby

London

lamp

boat

fish


Answers1. Tick the word which means the same as ‘away from harm’.

2. Where was the first British lighthouse built? Tick one.

3. How long ago was the first lighthouse built? Tick one.

4. Lighthouses use electricity. Tick one.

5. Tick one thing you would find in a lighthouse.


danger

safe

problem

false

true

100 years

1000 years

2000 years

Devon

Derby

London

lamp

boat

fish


History of LighthousesBefore the first lighthouse, boats were guided by fires on hilltops. The idea of a lighthouse came after these fires were raised upon platforms. The first lighthouse was built in Egypt over 2000 years ago and was called ‘The lighthouse of Alexandria’.

In Britain, the first lighthouse was built in Devon because the Eddystone Rocks were a hazard for boats and ships.

The light seen from a lighthouse now comes from electricity rather than burning oil or candles.


What is a Lighthouse?A lighthouse is a building that gives out light. It helps to keep boats and ships safe by warning them where land is.

In

teresting Fact

It took

12 years to

complete the

lighthouse in Egypt.lantern room

lamp

gallery deck

A LighthouseThere are over 100 lighthouses around the UK. Only some of these are still in use.

Lantern Room – A room with the lamp and lens in.

Lightning Rod – A copper rod which stops lightning causing too much damage.

Gallery Deck – A platform that circles the lighthouse just below the lantern room.

lightning rod


Questions1. Tick one. A lighthouse warns cars and trains.

2. Find and copy one other word which means the same as ‘danger’.

3. Tick one. In modern times, the light in a lighthouse comes from:

4. Complete the following sentence.

The first lighthouse was called .

5. How long did it take to complete the first lighthouse? Tick one.


12 weeks

12 years

12 days

oil

candles

electricity

true

false


Answers1. Tick one. A lighthouse warns cars and trains.

2. Find and copy one other word which means the same as ‘danger’.

hazard

3. Tick one. In modern times, the light in a lighthouse comes from:

4. Complete the following sentence.

The first lighthouse was called The Lighthouse of Alexandria.

5. How long did it take to complete the first lighthouse? Tick one.


12 weeks

12 years

12 days

oil

candles

electricity

true

false


History of LighthousesLighthouses have changed somewhat since they were first invented. The first warning system used fires on top of hills, which warned sailors of land. By raising the fires on platforms, they were more easily seen and this led to the invention of the lighthouse.

Initially, lighthouses were there only to warn of harbours rather than rocks or reefs underwater. The first known lighthouse was next to the island of Pharos, Egypt. It was eventually destroyed by an earthquake.

In Britain, the first lighthouse was built at the time when stronger and more weatherproof lighthouses were being invented. The Eddystone Rocks were a shipwreck hazard for those sailing through the English Channel and the first lighthouse there was an octagonal wooden structure. It was the first tower to be exposed to open sea. It has been rebuilt three times.


What Is a Lighthouse?A lighthouse is a building or structure which projects light to warn ships and boats. They highlight coastlines and reefs and can also assist with navigation. They are usually found on cliffs, at the entrance to a harbour and in the water on a raised stand.

Photo courtesy of Fæ (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

In

teresting Fact

Some countries still call a lighthouse a ‘Pharos’.


Lantern Room – A room at the top of the lighthouse housing a lamp and a lens. It has glass windows so the light can project out.

Lightning Rod – Lighthouses are often subjected to storms. A copper rod on the top of the structure aims to take the lightning straight to the ground, to avoid damage.

Gallery Deck – A platform that circles the lighthouse just below the lantern room. It allows the lighthouse keeper to clean the windows as well as enabling them to look out to sea.

Lamp – Where the light comes from. In the past, this may have been oil burning or a candle. Technological advances have provided electricity supplies to lighthouses.

Lighthouse Keeper – A lighthouse keeper was somebody who tended to the lighthouse, ensuring the light kept burning and the windows were cleaned. The last manned lighthouse in the UK was in 1998.


A LighthouseThere are over 100 lighthouses around the UK. Only some of these are still in use due to the expensive upkeep they require. Other navigational systems have also been invented meaning there is less purpose for a lighthouse. However, many seafarers still see a lighthouse as a symbol of hope.

lantern room

lamp

gallery deck

lightning rod


Questions1. Why do you think lighthouses are sometimes on a raised stand?

2. Find and copy another word which means sailor.

3. Why do you think some countries call a lighthouse a Pharos?

4. ‘The first lighthouse was an octagonal structure’. What does the word ‘octagonal’ mean in this sentence?

5. How are sea farers warned of danger?

5. In your opinion, why do some seafarers still view lighthouses as a symbol of hope?



Answers1. Why do you think lighthouses are sometimes on a raised stand?

I think lighthouses are sometimes on raised stands so the light is higher up and will travel further. It will then be seen more easily.

2. Find and copy another word which means sailor.

Seafarer

3. Why do you think some countries call a lighthouse a Pharos?

I think some countries call a lighthouse a Pharos because they are naming it after the place where the first lighthouse was.

4. ‘The first lighthouse was an octagonal structure’. What does the word ‘octagonal’ mean in this sentence?

The word octagonal means eight-sided.

5. How are sea farers warned of danger?

Lighthouses warn seafarers of danger by using a bright light.

5. In your opinion, why do some seafarers still view lighthouses as a symbol of hope?

Answers may vary. I think seafarers still view lighthouses as a symbol of hope because if they are in danger, they know they are close to land.



all about lighthouses - elm grove primary school, brighton...lamp gallery deck a lighthouse there...

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