Discover Columbus

Was Christopher Columbus a hero, an explorer, or both?

YOU WILL DISCOVER IT IN THIS LEARNING BOX!

What will I have to do?: Let's Explore!

Welcome, young historians! Your mission is to step into the shoes of an explorer and uncover the story of Christopher Columbus.

Activity 1: The Big Idea!

Watch this short video: "Christopher Columbus for Kids"
In your notebook, create a KWL Chart:

K (What I KNOW): Write 2 things you already knew about Columbus.
W (What I WANT to Know): Write 2 questions you have.
L (What I LEARNED): You will fill this in after watching the video and other activities.

Activity 2: The Explorer's Toolkit

Can you find Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Bahamas on a world map?
Draw a simple picture of a caravel (Columbus's ship) in your notebook. Label its parts: sail, hull, flag. Why was this type of ship good for exploration?

Este fue el destino de La Niña, La Pinta y la Santa María, las tres carabelas que llegaron a América con Colón - AS.com

Activity 3: A Journey in a Suitcase

Imagine you are sailing with Columbus in 1492. You can only take 5 items in your suitcase. What would you pack to survive the long, unknown journey? Draw and label them in your notebook and explain your choices.

Activity 4: Create a Traveler's Scrapbook

Objective: To summarize the key events of Columbus's voyages from a first-person perspective.
You'll Need (in the box): A small blank notebook or pre-printed "journal" pages, replica "old" paper, pencils, tea bags (to stain the paper for an aged look), and a timeline of the voyages.

Instructions:

Age Your Paper (Optional): Crumple the paper and lightly brush it with a wet tea bag. Let it dry for an antique effect.
Become a Sailor: Imagine you are a crew member on one of the voyages. Create a entry for important dates:

August 3, 1492: "We set sail from Palos de la Frontera! The weather is fair, but some men are nervous."
October 12, 1492: "LAND HO! We have reached an island. The natives call it Guanahani; the Captain has named it San Salvador."
Illustrate: Draw maps, strange animals (like parrots), or the Taino people.

Bind Your Journal: Staple or tie your pages together to create a personal keepsake.

Language Focus: Journal, log, voyage, crew, land ho, encounter. "In my journal, I wrote about the things we discovered."

FINAL TASK: Create an Explorer's Logbook!

You are the official scribe on one of Columbus's ships! Your task is to create a logbook entry in your email for the day you first sight land (October 12, 1492).

Your logbook must include: