We have read the book Columbus by Du’Aulaire and completed entries in his history journal on it. He learned about his life and how he secured funding to sail West. He learned the history of his voyages and why they thought they would land in Asia or India if they went West, because they didn’t know about the Americas yet.

Social Studies

• The child has learned about the life of Columbus and how he secured funding to sail West.
• He learned about the history of Columbus' voyages.
• The child understands why they believed they would land in Asia or India if they sailed West, as they did not know about the Americas yet.
• He has developed an understanding of historical exploration and the idea of discovering new lands.

For continued development, consider using maps and globes to show the route of Columbus' voyages. Encourage the child to engage in role-playing activities to imagine what it would have been like to be part of Columbus' crew. Additionally, consider finding age-appropriate videos or documentaries about exploration and the discovery of new lands to supplement the learning experience.

Book Recommendations

• Who Was Christopher Columbus? by Bonnie Bader: A simple biography that introduces young readers to Christopher Columbus and his famous voyages.
• Christopher Columbus (Rookie Biographies) by Mara Wilson: This book covers Columbus's life and his famous voyages in an easy-to-understand format for young readers.
• Christopher Columbus (First Biographies) by Lola M. Schaefer: This book provides an introduction to Christopher Columbus and his explorations, offering an engaging and educational reading experience for first-grade students.