Life in the Fish Pond

I found a lot of good resources in my quest for a good lesson plan about Columbus.Our goal was to provide accurate information that doesn't glorify Columbus as a noble hero. Since the girls are only 9, we didn't want to go too much into the oppression Columbus' arrival in the Americas brought upon Native Americans but give enough information to illustrate that it was not a positive event for them and that Columbus was not exactly an exemplary man.


Sharing links here for future homeschoolers who want to teach in the same manner :)

You will note the absence of cute little fingerplays and adorable crafts of the three ships. Fingerplays and craftiness mark celebratory and happy events in my mind.

The other thing that can be done in conjunction w/ the Columbus information is to also do a study of what typical life was like for the Native Americans before Columbus arrived and about the Taino culture,especially

Columbus Day-Native American perspective lesson plan- kid friendly (for 4th & 5th graders) biographical info and activity/discussion topics.Has a brief read-aloud skit that's cute...and informational.

Enchanted Learning's Columbus Page- Enchanted Learning always has some good stuff and most of the Columbus things are informational and not celebratory. (I have membership if anyone wants a password for printing worksheets)

Interactive Columbus biography- a nice interactive informational thing for kids. Provided more information than the text through clickable things in the pictures that give litle facts about life on the voyages and things that he gave as gifts to Native Americans. The one thing I didn't like? One page says,"At first the natives were happy to see Columbus" and then the next page...Columbus dies. Kind of anti-climactic LOL

Columbus wordsearch -interactive not printable

Columbus Navigation- biographical info and complete info about the voyages and the controversies concerning Columbus

Beyond Columbus:Teaching the lessons of 1492- really thorough lesson plan that covers the hstory.effects and cultural impact. With other links there too.

Should we celebrate Columbus Day? lesson plan -recommended for grades 6-8,9-12 but it's easily adapted for elementary,depending on the information provided as resources

The Round Earth and Columbus-some of this is a bit above my kids yet but still good...