A theme page about Columbus and whether he should be celebrated as the Discoverer of America, suitable for A2-B1 level students, year 5-9 in Sweden.
Relate Themes: Colonisation of North America 8-9, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Background
Why Do We Celebrate Columbus Day and Not Leif Erikson Day?https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/10/151011-columbus-day-leif-erikson-italian-americans-holiday-history/
Some consider Erikson to be the first European to reach America—and over a century ago, there was a push to recognize him over Columbus.
What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day and why should it replace Columbus Day? – Upworthyhttps://www.upworthy.com/what-is-indigenous-peoples-day-and-why-should-it-replace-columbus-day?c=ufb1
For all they’ve endured, Native Americans should be celebrated. (yr 6-8)
Watch Why Columbus Day Should Be Renamed Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Teen Vogue Video | CNE (1:44)https://www.teenvogue.com/video/watch/why-columbus-day-should-be-renamed-indigenous-peoples-dayCities around the country celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day. Here’s what you need to know about the holiday. (yr 8-9)
Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples Day – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/e90cBnicIykIn 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But in 2017, the tradition of honoring the famed Italian explorer may be sinking fast. (yr 8-9)
Warm-up
Christopher Columbus! A History Cartoon for School – YouTube (2:50)https://youtu.be/bSfGyKYegzwThe voyage of Christopher Columbus is the infamous ‘discovery of America’. Certainly, Columbus is a divisive figure (yr 5-6)Â
Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Columbian Exchange – YouTube (2:47)https://youtu.be/vl_ejoK0QVgThe history of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the west and the background to it. (yr 6-7)
Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day Gains National Approval – YouTube (3:05)https://youtu.be/pALfmhRxrvUHonoring navigator Christopher Columbus has long been considered by many as an affront to Native Americans. (yr 8-9)Â
Songs
In 1492… | Columbus Day Song For Children – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/V9q6HtcgWRAIn 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue He had 3 ships, he let from Spain He sailed through sunlight wind and rain… Lyrics below
Christopher Columbus: “This Land is My Land!” | SUNG HISTORY – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/vIDBwIEQOusIn 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue… and he’s still super proud of himself. (yr 5-7)
Christopher Columbus vs Captain Kirk. Epic Rap Battles of History – YouTubehttps://youtu.be/xBzoBgfm55wChristopher Columbus and Captain Kirk face off in this episode of Epic Rap Battles Of History. Who won? You decide. – With lyrics (yr 5-7)
Lesson Plan
Columbus Day Lessonhttp://www.elcivics.com/columbus-day-1.htmlColumbus Day is on October 12, but it is sometimes celebrated on the second Monday in October. (yr 6-8)
ESL Holiday Lessons: English Lesson on Columbus Dayhttp://www.eslholidaylessons.com/10/columbus_day.htmlESL Holiday Lessons: Free 14-Page lesson plan / worksheet on Columbus Day – Handouts, online activity and mp3. (yr 8-9)
Exploring the World Christopher Columbus and the New World – YouTube (14:16)https://youtu.be/VEwHNfJgo7kListening Comprehension, a true-false quiz starts after 12 min. Use before learning about Columbus! (yr 8-9)
Listening
Columbus Day: Some Love It, Others Not So Much (5:18)https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/columbus-day-controversy-some-love-it-others-not-so-much/2998679.htmlIn October 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in today’s Bahamas. Americans honor the event on the second Monday in October. But critics of Columbus Day say the holiday disrespects native people. Are they right? (yr 8-9)
Making of a Nation: Columbus and the New Worldhttps://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/columbus-new-world-leif-erickson/1506901.htmlWith 3 ships Columbus made Spain the greatest power in Europe – Find the audio to the right. (yr 8-9)
Reading
Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day Fast Facts – CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/14/us/columbus-day-fast-facts/index.htmlRead CNN’s Fast Facts about Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, which are celebrated on the second Monday in October. (yr 7-9)
Christopher Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day 2018 (2:26)https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/historical-figures/christopher-columbus/The Italian explorer shepherded in an age of exploration and exploitation. – Read the text on screen (yr 8-9)
Viewing
1492 (Columbus sighting land) – YouTube (3:51)https://youtu.be/o9W1G3Tn31AThe scene of the 1992 film “1492:Conquest of Paradise” when Columbus first sights the New World. (yr 5-9)
Christopher Columbus (History) – Binogi.com – YouTube (4:52)https://youtu.be/tW8gLxt0PisThe history of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the west and the background to it. (yr 6-7)
Children’s: History 1 – Christopher Columbus – YouTube (4:21)https://youtu.be/EZEEbQ3hWmU This children’s video teaches the story of the explorer Christopher Columbus. (yr 7-8)
Adam Ruins Everything – Christopher Columbus Was a Murderous Moron | truTV – YouTube (5:40)https://youtu.be/k8PQXiJiLOYTurns out Christopher Columbus wasn’t brave, he was just really bad at math. (yr 7-8)
The life story of Christopher Columbus – YouTube (12:42)https://youtu.be/zFDCpLK5Y3AGood guy or bad guy? Kids, make up your own minds with our short movie about this most famous of explorers. – Use the CC (Close Captions) (yr 7-8)
History of the Holidays: Columbus Day | History – YouTube (4:27)https://youtu.be/jiWVE4bxbKAHow Columbus Day came to be celebrated. – Narrated with pictures, maps and film clips (yr 8-9)
The REAL History Of Christopher Columbus – YouTube (3:33)https://youtu.be/5FBUEfdPDOQMonday, October 12th is Columbus Day, which we have celebrated in this country since the eighteenth century… and that’s probably long enough. (yr 8-9)
Vikings vs. Christopher Columbus | 3 Minute History – YouTube (3:48)https://youtu.be/fgAZyxe7rJsAbout the Viking explorer who beat Christopher Columbus by nearly 400 years (yr 8-9)
History vs. Christopher Columbus – Alex Gendler – YouTube (5:54)https://youtu.be/GD3dgiDreGcA funny animated court case against Columbus (yr 8-9) View full lesson
Columbus, de Gama, and Zheng He! 15th Century Mariners. Crash Course: World History #21 – YouTube (10:37)https://youtu.be/NjEGncridoQIn which John Green teaches you about the beginning of the so-called Age of Discovery. (yr 9)
The Columbus Controversy – YouTube (23:49)https://youtu.be/12LQsBclMosThe Columbus Controversy documentary was produced for classrooms and teacher education programs by American School Publishers, in 1992 (yr 9)
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE NEW WORLD – full movie EN – YouTube (1:19:48)https://youtu.be/h6n-LJneqSUCHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 1492 marked the quincentenary of Columbus’ discovery of America. – Full cartoon movie, no subtitles (yr 8-9)
Writing
How the Media Would Have Covered Columbus’s Discovery of the New Worldhttp://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/10/how-the-media-would-have-covered-columbus.htmlSlate, Drudge, the Post – Write a newspaper article about Columbus (or somebody else) finding a New World
Quiz
Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Columbian Exchange – YouTube (2:47)https://youtu.be/vl_ejoK0QVgColumbus Day is a US federal holiday that is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Text below. (yr 6-7)
Interactive
Christopher Columbus Quizhttp://www.softschools.com/quizzes/social_studies/christopher_columbus/quiz417.htmlFun Games – Social Studies – Check what you have learned about Columbus (yr 8-9)
Final Words
Columbusing: Discovering Things For White People – YouTube (2:43)https://youtu.be/BWeFHddWL1YProblematising the fact that Columbus did not in fact discover America. He “columbused” it. (yr 9)
CC
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You could add Leif Erikson Day since he sailed to North America a lot before Columbus. Or maybe you have it here already and I just didn’t find it among all the nice websites you’ve gathered together. https://www.google.com/amp/s/nationaltoday.com/leif-erikson-day/amp/
Thank you, Kaija, for the recommendation. I have added it to the Calendar, but unfortunately after this year’s date. Leif Erikson is mentioned in two of the links in Columbus Day, but you are quite right, he and his family would deserve a theme page for themselves. I will fix this for next year!
Outi