Unit Plan
Student Achievement Partners

You've Been Lied To: The REAL Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Looking for resources that explore alternative perspectives of the Christopher Columbus story? Check out the images, videos, cartoons, primary source documents, and other texts in a packet designed to spark...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Was Columbus Thinking?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Why is Christopher Columbus one of the most studied figures in history? Upper graders will investigate why Christopher Columbus traveled to the New World and what happened to the native people he encountered. They read and discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Columbus: Hero or Villain?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions as the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Other Worlds: The Voyage of Columbus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners utilize Internet sites to explore and compare current ideas and opinions concerning the impact of christopher Columbus' famous voyage of 1492.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students read about the good and bad aspects of Christopher Columbus in Jean Fritz's book, "Where do you think you're going, Christopher Columbus?" They conduct and analyze a survey about common myths and create a pop-up book.
Lesson Plan
Minnesota Literacy Council

Introduction to Historical Thinking

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Christopher Columbus: hero or villain? Prepare class members for the debate with activities that asks them to think critically about how history is reported.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Act-It-Out Columbus Boat

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students investigate the trip Christopher Columbus took to the new world.  In this U.S. History lesson, students create a fictional ship from cardboard and construction paper simulating the ship Columbus used to get to the New...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus: Historical Perspective

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study Columbus Day in relation to who discovered Canada. They complete a KWL about Canada and discuss Columbus Day as an American holiday. After viewing a video, they read articles of Christopher Columbus and work in groups...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare historical interpretations. In this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research the controversy regarding Christopher Columbus's work as an explorer. Students use their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Controversial Columbus

For Teachers 7th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.  In this World History lesson, 8th graders analyze and compare primary and secondary sources.  Students discuss as a class the accomplishments of Columbus....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Caribbean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Columbus' Perception of the New World

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New World Meets Old

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CyberHunt: Ahoy! Columbus

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Federal Holidays

For Teachers 3rd
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Early History of Haiti

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders make list of places Columbus explored on his first journey to Americas, locate island of Hispaniola on map, examine groups of people who have inhabited island, complete blank map and key of Hispaniola, and research early...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Age of Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration activity, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding his adventure....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Navigating With Explorers

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners retrace the steps of European explorers to the New World and recreate the early exploration through online research and multimedia presentations. In this world history and technology lesson, students research early explorations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research European explorers.  For this world history lesson, 5th graders will compare eight European explorers and identify important factual information about each.  Students will be engaged through game-play and...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Land Ho! Early Exploration and Settlement of the Americas

For Teachers 1st
Students complete a unit to learn about early American exploration. In this Americas exploration lesson, students complete eight lessons of activities to learn about Columbus's discovery of the new world and the early exploration of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the exploration of the New World. They write a descriptive account of the first encounter between Europeans and Native Americans, analyze and label maps, plot Columbus's journey on a map, and write a chapter summary.
Unit Plan
Missouri Department of Elementary

Equine Science

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Did you know that horses have two sets of teeth?  There is much to learn about horses, of course, and those interested in equine science will learn much from a 10-lesson agricultural science course that covers not only equine dental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery Channels

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a New York Times article in order to explore issues about the celebration of Columbus Day. They, working in groups, research the legacy of exploration and colonization. They use the research to create a first person narrative.