Columbus Day Unit Outline (October 13)

Jo - Friday, September 26, 2008, 3:09 pm
Categories: Holidays, Lesson Plans, Social Studies, Writing
Tags: Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day, fifth grade, fourth grade, history, imagination, October, outline, ships, sixth grade, theme, Web site, worksheet, Writing

I’m having my son write a book on Christopher Columbus for Columbus Day. The book will be in the shape of a person with Columbus’ head on top. (Photos to come!)

The list below are some of the questions he has to answer in his book. If he comes up with his own questions, he will get extra points added to his grade. Each “chapter” in his book will focus on a different part of Columbus’ life.

Who was Columbus?
Why is he famous?
Where did he live as a child?
What are some special things he did?
When did he begin his voyage?
Why did he begin his voyage?
Where did he get the money for his voyage?
What ships did he and his crew sail on?

Before he begins writing his book, he will complete “Charting a Course to Comprehension”, which is a prewriting activity in the shape of a ship.

He will also work on activities about Columbus in History Pockets: Explorers of North America, Grades 4-6 (p. 10-19) and use the information for his book.

Finally, my son will pretend that he is taking a voyage like Columbus and have to list things and people he would bring with him. (see worksheet)

I have found the following Web sites that will help my son; they are full of facts, games, and fun stuff about Christopher Columbus!