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Language Activities for Columbus Day
Once Upon the Santa Maria | To Celebrate or Not | What If? | |
Convincing
the Queen
Columbus made many appeals before he finally convinced Queen Isabella of
Spain to finance his first voyage. Put yourself in his place. What arguments
would you have used to sell a king or queen on financing such a venture?
Consider the time in history, the risks involved in sailing, and the uniqueness
of Columbus's dream. Prepare a four to five minute speech to "sell" the voyage,
and deliver it to your class or family.
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The Log
Book of ...
Walk into any library, and you'll find several biographies of Christopher
Columbus. How do biographers learn about Christopher Columbus and his voyages?
One primary source of information are the detailed log books Columbus kept
during each of his voyages. Not only do the log books record the progress
the sailors made each day, but they also record their actions along the way,
their attitudes, and their interactions with one another and the natives
they encountered along the way.
In many ways, the log books resembled a diary or a journal. In fact, some
historians have even referred to them as journals because Columbus shares
so many of his own thoughts and feelings. Take time to read selections from
these logs, then begin your own journal or diary. Write about what happens
each day, what others say about it, and how you feel about it.
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Once Upon
the Santa Maria
Back in 1492, children often jobs -- and sometimes dangerous jobs. It would
not have been uncommon for Columbus to have taken cabin boys as young as
11 or 12 along on his voyages. Imagine that you signed onto the crew of the
Santa Maria during that first voyage. Write about preparing for the voyage,
the journey itself, spotting land, and docking along the shores of San
Salvador.
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To Celebrate
or Not
Today, Columbus Day is among the most controversial holidays in the United
States. Some see Columbus as a hero, the courageous explorer whose discovery
led to the settlement of North and South America. Others see him as a villain,
a ruthless conqueror whose discovery led the the destruction of countless
Native American people and cultures.
Make a list of reasons people give for both celebrating and refusing to celebrate
Columbus day. Decide which side offers the most compelling arguments, then
prepare to refute the arguments the other side uses. Debate the issue as
a class.
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What
If?
What do you think life would have been like if Columbus hadn't discovered
the Americas? How do you think your life might have been influenced? Draw
a picture that reflects the difference, then explain your drawing to your
classmates.
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