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With Columbus Day quickly approaching, why not dive into Christopher’s story by adding a few activities and lesson plans into your social studies routine? Learn more about his life and become part of his adventures with our favorite, engaging Columbus Day lesson plans for homeschoolers of all ages.
You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Christopher Columbus
Elementary Columbus Day Lesson Plans
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- Learn through literacy by reading Jean Fritz’ book, “Where do you think you’re going, Christopher Columbus?” Then analyze the man and his accomplishments together.
- Print out this printable book for early readers and explore the world of Christopher Columbus through the fun activities!
- Read and discover just what Columbus himself was thinking through this primary source analysis of Columbus’ letters.
- Put on a Reader’s Theater production where everyone has a part. But, who will be Columbus?
- Looking for unit or book plans? Enchanted Learning has some amazing lessons, printables, maps and activity books to get you started!
- Learn more about navigation and mapmaking, then complete this map activity page.
Middle and High School Columbus Day Lesson Plans
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- Start your Columbus Day lesson plans by checking out some videos from history.com or the in-depth Christopher Columbus series from Biography.com!
- Learn all about the tools that early navigators used to find (or not find!) new lands.
- Discover more about Columbus through examining artifacts found through excavation with the lessons from the Library of Congress exhibit 1492: An Ongoing Voyage.
- Dive into primary source documents to do an in-depth analysis of the Age of Exploration, including motives and the negative impact this era had upon Native Americans.
- Analyze the Columbus Doors and their significance. Then, create your own “door” telling your life or family story!
How are you going to celebrate Columbus Day with your homeschoolers? What are your favorite Columbus Day lesson plans? Tell us in a comment below!
