Columbian Exchange Whole Group Simulation Activity

A Whole Group Activity To Help Students Understand The Devastating Impact The Columbian Exchange Had On Native American Populations

This simulation includes:

• Complete teacher's guide with directions for carrying out the activity with your class.
• Set of 6 printable cards (you will need to print these on cardstock and cut them out)
• Student Chart
• 3-2-1 Follow-up handout
• List of diseases Native Americans were exposed to during the Columbian Exchange

In this activity, students will receiver various food cards. Some cards also contain a number that will be used at the end. Students exchange cards with their classmates at the teacher's directions and record what they recieve in the trade, including any numbers on the cards. After they have finished exchanging in Round 3, you will display the Communicable Disease list. Students will look on their charts to see any numbers they encountered and will find that disease on the list. The goal is for students to understand that while Native Americans traded with Europeans, they unknowingly were exposed to deadly diseases that decimated the Native American population. Note: There's nothing in this activity that says anything bad happens to the students other than they were "exposed" to the diseases. This keeps it appropriate for different grade levels. I have provided both student handouts and the Communicable Disease List in a preview so that you can make sure it is appropriate for your students.

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Happy Teaching,

Kim