Teaching Tolerance
Why Do We (Still) Celebrate Columbus Day?
What are we really celebrating on Columbus Day? The resource explores the narrative behind Columbus Day and ways for people to change the perception. Scholars also review vocabulary terms associated with the topic and how attitudes have...
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 2: Paving the Way for Columbus
Students explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. In this geography skills instructional activity, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude...
Council for Economic Education
Why Didn't China Discover the New World?
Who was Zheng He and why haven't we heard of him? Scholars consider the question as they compare his vast expeditionary force to that of Christopher Columbus. Young historians then ponder the intersection of science, economics, and...
Curated OER
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD
Eighth graders study the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson plan, 8th graders analyze and compare primary and secondary sources. Students discuss as a class the accomplishments of Columbus.
Curated OER
Controversial Columbus
Seventh graders examine the controversial role of Christopher Columbus. In this Christopher Columbus lesson, 7th graders determine what Columbus was like and what his motivations were as they research print and Internet sources.
Curated OER
Introduction to the Caribbean
Students examine the history and culture of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. They conduct research on Christopher Columbus, create a quiz, watch a video about Cuba, and write an essay comparing and contrasting Puerto Rico...
Curated OER
Explorers Unit
Fifth graders complete a unit on early explorers. They develop a timeline, sing a Viking song, watch a video, compile a checklist of supplies needed for an expedition, participate in a scavenger hunt, write a letter from Christopher...
Curated OER
Columbus wants to find a shorter route to Asia
Eighth graders identify the reasons why Columbus wanted to find a shorter route to Asia. They make a timeline of the sequence of events surrounding his explorations. Students draw a map of the routes taken by early explorers around...
Curated OER
Explorers & Early America: Columbus' Journey to Find a Western Sea Route to Asia
Third graders study Columbus and the route he took when he was exploring. In this social science, 3rd graders examine maps, analyze them, compare them to each other, and understand where Columbus wanted to go versus where he actually...
Curated OER
Encouraging Answers
What is the celebration of Columbus Day really about? Older learners use inquiry-based methods to find out who Columbus really was and what motivated his journeys. They take on the roles of town officials who must consider whether or not...
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus Lesson Plans
Columbus Day lesson plans are great for teaching students about geography, history, and exploration.
Curated OER
Columbus' Perception of the New World
students investigate readings relating to the voyage of Columbus in 1492 and to make historical connections based on those readings. They form pairs to share insights and answer specific questions, and share information in a final class...
Curated OER
History Quiz #15
In this history quiz #15 learning exercise, students answer 20 questions, not interactively, about history, then scroll down to check their answers.
Common Core Sheets
Reading a Timeline
Sometimes the most important details of an informational text aren't within the text at all. Teach your class how to read timeline with a set of activities that prompts them to find specific dates and events on the timelines, as well as...
Curated OER
Culture Clash: New World Meets Old
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus. Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three piecesof...
Curated OER
New World Meets Old
Students demonstrate understanding of basic facts about Christopher Columbus and different theories regarding his background. They try to solve the mystery of Christopher Columbus' background and write an essay offering their own opinion.
Curated OER
Explore the Mathematics of the Explorers
Columbus and other explorers relied upon mathematical calculations using the Earth, stars, and ships speeds.
Curated OER
Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship!
Students listen to the book, Columbus Day, by Paul Showers and discuss the historical significance of Christopher Columbus. They create Columbus Day booklets, sing a Christopher Columbus song, and develop graphic organizers.
Curated OER
Voyage to the New World
Third graders investigate the history of North America by creating a map. For this world geography lesson, 3rd graders analyze the voyage Christopher Columbus took to arrive at the new world by creating a map of his achievement. ...
Curated OER
CyberHunt: Ahoy! Columbus
Students research Christopher Columbus. In this world history lesson, students complete a WebQuest by using suggested website links. Students click on each link and answer questions about Columbus based upon the website.
K20 LEARN
But What About Me?: Teaching Perspective In The Social Studies Classroom
How would the story of the discovery of America be different if indigenous people told it through their eyes? Individuals compare the conventional account of this moment in history to an account given by one of the native peoples. After...
Curated OER
How the Aztecs Influenced History
Study the Aztecs to help your learners discover the importance of understanding history.
Curated OER
Federal Holidays
Third graders complete various activities pertaining to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veteran's Day. They conduct research and complete writing and art activities on the...
Annenberg Foundation
Pre-Columbian America
What was life like in America before Christopher Columbus discovered the New World? Scholars investigate life in the Americas through the eyes of Native Americans in the first lesson of a 22-part series covering America's history. Using...