Whose Columbus Story?
This lesson challenges learners to explore how historical events, like the arrival of Columbus in the Americas, can be understood and represented from multiple viewpoints. It emphasizes critical thinking about historical narratives and the importance of diverse perspectives. No advance preparation is needed.
The lesson goal is in this spark, your learner will define and recognize different historical perspectives, create representations of a historical event from contrasting viewpoints and discuss the importance of understanding multiple narratives in history.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction5 Min
- Ask: 'Can you think of a time you and someone else saw the same thing differently?'
- Move on when The student has shared an example of different perspectives and engaged with the idea.
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan8 Min
- Gather large paper and drawing supplies.
- Ask: 'What might go on a map from the European sailors' view?'
- Ask: 'What might Indigenous people living there draw on their map?'
- Move on when Materials are gathered, and the child has brainstormed initial ideas for each perspective.
Photo by Monstera Production on Pexels - 3
Discussion6 Min
- Ask: 'What does it mean to have a 'perspective' on something?'
- Explain 'historical perspective' using the analogy of a soccer game.
- Ask: 'Why is it important to hear all sides of a historical story?'
- Move on when Student can explain in their own words what a 'historical perspective' means and why it's important.
Photo by Almer Caagbay on Pexels - 4
Activity9 Min
- Draw the European perspective of Columbus's arrival.
- Draw the Indigenous perspective of the ships' arrival.
- Add symbols or a few words to each map.
- Move on when The child has completed drawings for both the European and Indigenous perspectives on their paper.
- 5
Summary2 Min
- Ask: 'What did you notice about seeing the event from two sides?'
- Ask: 'Why should we always ask 'Who is telling this story?' in history?'
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway about historical perspectives or the importance of multiple viewpoints.
Photo by olia danilevich on Pexels
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