What Was Columbus Thinking?

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Most students recognize the name Christopher Columbus. They may be aware that his voyages ushered in the first period of sustained contact between Europeans and the Americas and its people. They may not know, however, why Columbus traveled to the New World or what happened to the native people he encountered. In this lesson, students read excerpts from Columbus's letters and journals, as well as recent considerations of his achievements. Students reflect on the motivations behind Columbus's explorations, his reactions to what he found and the consequences, intended and unintended, of his endeavor.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: EdSiteMent

Why Do We (Still) Celebrate Columbus Day?

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In this lesson, students will address misconceptions they likely have about Christopher Columbus and the colonization of what is now the United States. Students will watch a video to dispel some of the myths associated with Columbus and gain a better understanding of how Columbus Day became a national holiday. Students will then read interviews with Indigenous youth and identify the reasons that celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day matters to them. This lesson can be taught on Columbus Day or leading up to it.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Learning for Justice

Teaching About Columbus Day Mythbusters

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This blog post exploring the true facts of Columbus’s journey, the history of Columbus Day, and different sources for information.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Teaching history.org