Who was Christopher Columbus

Introduction

Are you ready to be a historian? Do you like to keep a diary or a journal? Do you like to create with your hands?  Do you like to role play.  Well in this Webquest you will keep take on the role of Chrsitopher Columbus and you will tell us your story and how you went on to become famous the whole world through.  But first we must travel back in time and learn about the life of this explorer, sailor, and tailor. 

Task

Hi Chritopher Colubus.  Yes, you.  Today you are not my student.  Today you are Christopher Columbus!  It is 1492.  You have been pleading with the Spanish King and Queen for more than 7 years to support your idea to find a new route to India.  You have great talent  You have been making clothes and tradining it for spices and gold in  India.  Your travels by sea inspired you to seek a faster way to India.  You believed with all your heart that you could make the long voyage to India so much shorter.  Your country, Italy, did not believe in your idea and they would not support it.  You turned to the Spanish King and Queen for help.  We want to hear all about your vision, travels, and discoveries.  We want you to share with us your exciting life.  This is your chance to tel us your story.  

Process

Step 1.  Classroom discussion and teacher presentation

Make sure to take notes as we talk about Christopher Columbus and as we explore the history behind the explorer.  I will be using the following presentation if you wish to watch it again at home.

Animated Slide Show on Christopher Columbus  http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/book/

Step 2:  Start your own online research by completing 3-4 of the following links.  Show evidence of your work in your notebook or by showing me the online activiites you complete.  I will record the progress of each activity you choose to do.  You must call me over when you are ready for me to record your activity and evaluate your work.

Here are the links:

  1. Christopher Columbus Comprehension:http://mrnussbaum.com/readingcomp/columbusyoung/
  2. Christopher Columbus Timeline:  http://www.imahero.com/timelines/christopher_timeline.htm  View the timeline and create an illustrated vertical timeline.  List  a minimum of 6 different dates.
  3. Christopher Columbus Biography for Kids  http://mrnussbaum.com/columbus/  Prepare 6 Cornel Notes Questions based on this biography.
  4. Christopher Columb Cloze Reading http://mrnussbaum.com/columbuscloze
  5. Christopher Columbus Sentence Surgeons  http://mrnussbaum.com/christopher-columbus-sentence-surgeons/
  6. Map of Christopher Columbus’ Maiden Voyage:  http://mrnussbaum.com/christopher-columbus-route-map/  Write one paragraph describing the route Columbus took on his first voyage in 1492.
  7. Map of Christopher Columbus’ 4 voyages to the New World http://www.ilibrarian.net/history/christopher_columbus_voyages.gif  Write 2 paragraphs representing 2 voyages and explaining in detail the routes Columbus traveled during 2 different voyages.

Step 3:  Once you feel comfortable about the reserach you have done you may proceed to the following projects.  you will choose only ONE project.  

Product:  This is how you will show me and the class what you learned about Christopher Columbus

Choose 1 of the 3 Projects

Details

Include

Prepare a monologue

Using the first person singular present a monologue as if you were Christopher Columbus. 
  • year you were born
  • your profession
  • your struggle to get your idea funded and the reason behind your idea
  • your journey at a sea (the struggles).  How many days were you at sea?  How did you crew feel? When did you set out?  who went with you?  How many ships? When did you see land?  Who spotted the land? 
  • your first impressions when you landed in the New World

Construct a map of Columbus’ voyage

A.  You can draw a map using all the art materials in our Art Centter.

or 

B.  Sculpt a map out of Playdough.  Use popcorn kernels for the trail.  Bring in your own playdough and cardboard box measuring 12 x 24 (minimum)

Your map must have the following features:

1.  Label the continents

2. Label the bodies of water

3. Color Code the Voyage in 1492 and the 1493.  Use different colors and use a legend to explain each trail.

 You must be prepared to present your drawing or sculpture to the class.  You should be able to talk about:

1.  Why you wanted to embark on this voyage.

2.  The struggles you had

3.  The route you took in 1492 and where it led you.

Write a Diary as if you  were Chrsitopher Columbus

 You must have 5 entries:

Entires must include at least one of each of the following years:

!490

1492

1493
  • year you were born
  • your profession
  • your struggle to get your idea funded and the reason behind your idea
  • your journey at a sea (the struggles).  How many days were you at sea?  How did you crew feel?

your first impressions when you landed in the New World

 

 

 

Anchor Activities:

When your project is complete you can work on these extension activities to help you build on your knowledge of Chrstopher Columbus

Mad Lib Activity for Fun

http://mrnussbaum.com/columbuslib/

World Map Skill Builder

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/World_Continents.htm

Evaluation

Your presentations must include the following:


Project 1:  Monologue requirments

  • year you were born
  • your profession
  • your struggle to get your idea funded and the reason behind your idea
  • your journey at a sea (the struggles).  How many days were you at sea?  How did you crew feel?
  • your first impressions when you landed in the New World

Project 2:  Map Requirements

1.  Label the continents

2. Label the bodies of water

3. Color Code the Voyage in 1492 and the 1493.  Use different colors and use a legend to explain each trail.

 
  • Project 3:   Diary
  • year you were born
  • your profession
  • your struggle to get your idea funded and the reason behind your idea
  • your journey at a sea (the struggles).  How many days were you at sea?  How did you crew feel?
  • your first impressions when you landed in the New World

Conclusion

I hope that this project helped you have a clear picture of who Christopher Columbus was and how his voyage changed the history of the world.

I am looking forward to enjoying your projects and seeing your interpretation of the life of Christopher Columbus.

If you have a desire to do a different project such as a Power Point or a podcast, please see me and I will be happy to give you a choice on demonstarting your knowledge of Christopher Columbus through a different way.

Buen viaje!

Credits

I would like to thank Mr. Nussbaum a real school teacher who developed the websites where most of the links came from for the reserach you will do in this project.

For more information about him you can go to:  http://mrnussbaum.com/about/#mrn