In this WebQuest, small groups of students will look at the life of Christopher Columbus, and will discover what he really did or did not do as an explorer and as a man. Teams will look at the historical evidence from many angles and form conclusions that will answer these four fundamental questions: "Who was Christopher Columbus?" "What kind of person did it take to be an explorer of the New World?" "How did Columbus directly affect the indigenous American population?" and "Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day?" They should be prepared to provide evidence and proof of their conclusion using several available sources on these pages and other approved sources.
The teacher will divide students into groups, preferably with five members. Each team will be made up of three historians, one cartographer and one rover (Special accommodations will be made for groups smaller or larger than five). The students' task is to work as a group and create a wiki page or pages with a map of Columbus' journeys and a historical analysis of Columbus' effect on the New World. The students should discover what kind of man Columbus was; what life was like before and after Columbus for Native Americans; and what it took to be an explorer of new worlds. All three of these angles are needed to provide a true picture of our subject matter.
Bonus question (3 pts.): Above is a famous lithograph of Columbus and his shipmates as they discovered land. Consider what you see in the painting; and consider what you know to be the truth. How accurate is this scene that is depicted in the picture? Explain your answer.Each Early Explorer historian will briefly discuss the role of explorers, what they had to do to succeed, what their roles were on journeys, etc.
Each completed blog should include:
A map of Columbus’ journeys
Each group will assign roles for each member. Work this out yourselves.
Each member will focus on his/her job. The Rover is free to move wherever he/she is needed the most.
Each Columbus historian will write a brief biography of Columbus.
Each Cartographer will create a map of Columbus’ journeys to the New World.
Each Native American historian will write a brief article on life in the New World before European explorers arrived.
Each Early Explorer historian will briefly discuss the role of explorers, what they had to do to succeed, what their roles were on journeys, etc.
Each completed blog should include:
A map of Columbus’ journeys
