Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Exploring Borderlands:christopher Columbus

What motivated Europeans to explore the New World, and what effects did their exploration have on Native American populations? The second installment of a 16-part American Passages series prompts pupils to watch a video and read several...

When Christopher Columbus landed, he found many things to comment on. Have your class read this letter that he wrote to Luis de Sant Angel in 1493. The text is split up into sections. Each section is paired with two to three...

This passage highlights the contemporary contributions to Chicano history and culture by Americo Paredes, through various mediums. Click on "Americo Paredes Activities" for related artifacts and activities.

This passage highlights passionate French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in his conquest for new lands in present day Canada and his establishment of France's North American capital of Quebec. Click the "Samuel de Champlain Activities"...

This resource features Gloria Anzaldua, a "hybrid" or Chicana author from Texas, who writes about the Chicano culture and draws particular attention to the women to empower them. Click on "Gloria Anzaldua Activities" to explore connected...

Intrepid explorer or ruthless exploiter? This is the perfect video to accompany the observation of Columbus Day in your class, as well as in considering whether Christopher Columbus should or should not be credited with...

This unit explores the documented perceptions of Native Americans, religious faiths, physical challenges of new lands and how the combination of immigrants and Native Americans shaped the New World. Click on "Activities" for related...

A Native American Paiute man known as Wovoka, after seeing a vision, started the Ghost Dance religion which had many songs to carry on its oral tradition. Click on the tab "Ghost Dance Songs Activities" to explore activities and photos.

Quaker and son of the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn's utopian dreams for America were compiled into a large collection highlighting his views of American ideals of politics. Click on "William Penn Activities" for related resources.

This resource features Native American activist, Bartolome de las Casas, one of the first Europeans to speak on cruelty directed towards the Native Americans. Click on "Bartolome de las Casas Activites" for related artifacts and activities.