The Controversies of Christopher Columbus - Indigenous People's Day Columbus Day

The lesson of Christopher Columbus with today's perspective of stating the pros and cons as well as reviewing the history of Columbus' voyages and contributions. This lesson ends on a positive note and what we can learn from not only Columbus but from other controversial explorers and men who may have performed misdeeds.

FOR THE SPANISH VERSION CLICK HERE

This lesson is NOT focused on one angle...that Columbus was a "bad" guy. All points will be covered and therefore this mini-lesson is appropriate for any classroom. It should be noted that the author of this lesson has indigenous blood in her DNA and is presenting this lesson from a non-confrontational viewpoint and factual account.

This lesson plan includes a PDF and is Easel ready with an Assessment that is self grading. Topic: The controversies of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón - as he was known in Castille (Spain) under the monarchy of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

There are various controversies that will be pointed out as this lesson details the events. It will examine the life and timeline of Christopher Columbus and his journeys to the new world. It is a great supplement for discussing the controversies, such as what his nationality was and it's impact on Italian-Americans and what his motivation may have been when he undertook his dangerous voyages. This PDF is presented professionally and without bias to what the various controversial point of views may exist in regards to the controversial Columbus and his character.

Respect will be given to the Indigenous People of the Caribbean (Taino), however it will not be an in depth synopsis in order to keep this lesson concise as there is much to cover. The fact that many people in the islands carry their DNA, including myself, in their cultural backgrounds adds to the controversary of Columbus. This includes people of the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and the US Virgin Islands. These Indigenous tribes are often overlooked in mainland North American history. At the time of this writing, the exclusion of the Caribbean Taino indians Columbus encountered continues to not be listed under the North American tribes. I am currently undertaking a project to change this including recently listing Taino Indians in Wikipedia under the listings of North American tribes. We must also have it known that the Caribbean Islands are part of North America.

This lesson plan details some of the major controversies of Columbus and his life from an objective point of view, seeking to understand the history of "what happened" that we may never understand. The instructor teaching history or social studies with this topic may present this from their own perspectives in conjunction with other lessons focusing on Columbus. This mini-lesson of Christopher Columbus is basic in content and straightforward. In the light of everything Columbus was, the contributions he made to the world and the controversy of the injustices that occurred by him and under his command as they relate to the Indigenous Peoples that he and his crew encountered when they landed in the islands of the North American Caribbean are not overlooked.

This Christopher Columbus Lesson includes:

- Point of View

- Opinion Writing Ideas

- Close Read

- Annotation

- Infer

- Predict

- Analyze

- Different Perspectives

Background of the creator of this lesson plan: Omnitent contributor. The creator has a Master's degree which includes literary, historical electives and linguistics courses at the university level. She has taught online classes of this genre to middle and high schoolers as well as other subjects. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has studied her ancestry which includes a high percentage of native Indigenous and African ancestry from the island of Puerto Rico, Canary Islands and Spain. She also has ancestry going back to the Spanish Armada, (the Colón, Sotomayor and Muñoz surnames) and enjoys creating lessons that she is passionate about.

This lesson on Christopher Columbus will be helpful in brief discussions and reading classes. It includes a number of brief quizzes in between the paragraphs for reading comprehension and as mentioned also includes a handy assessment that may be emailed to the student through Easel. The subject matter is controversial and therefore is presented in a historical manner and outline and thus should not be offensive to the reader or instructor as all points of views are covered towards the end of this lesson including what we can learn from the controversial Columbus.

Note: If there are any points that are not agreed upon by the instructor that is displayed in this lesson; that would be a great opportunity to bring more discussions to their students as to any other facts thay may have been inadvertently omitted. We are not to be held liable for any human errors. Keep in mind that this lesson is a brief outline only and not to be all encompassing regarding the history of Christopher Columbus.

• You may also purchase the Timeline of Christopher Columbus HERE to give to your students and for you to refer to as you teach the above lesson.

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