Columbus Day is a holiday celebrating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The event is celebrated in many countries including the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Spain. Carefully watch and listen to the video from the History Channel.
Pretend you are Christopher Columbus. What would your mom and dad have to say about your voyage? Would they want you to go? Would they try to discourage you from embarking on your voyage? Select a parent’s point of view. Write a letter in rhyme including things they would say to convince you not to take the voyage. Post your letter in the comments section below.
Additional Resources:
- Christopher Columbus Board the Santa María and sail across the Atlantic.
- Brainpop: Columbus Day In this movie, you’ll learn about the explorer Christopher Columbus, who set out to prove that the world was round and not flat. You’ll find out where he landed on his voyages from the Old World to the New World. You’ll also learn how he forced native people into slavery and called them Indians because he believed he had landed in India. Did Columbus really discover America? username: woschaefer password: brainpop16
- Think you know everything there is to know about Christopher Columbus? Think again! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim will fill you in on some little-known details about this famous explorer. You’ll find out about Columbus’s early life, and how his work for European trading firms prepared him for his historic voyages.
Use the poem below to help you select rhyming words for your letter to your parents.
IN 1492
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue .
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain .
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way .
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go .
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored .
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep .
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand .
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew !
“Indians! Indians!” Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride .
But “India” the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot .
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice .
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he’d been told .
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain .
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright .
Poem taken from www.teachingheart.net/columbus.htm
