March 28, 2012

Christopher Columbus Day 7

1. Review:  read "The Second Voyage" on page 27 and "A Voyage Over and Another Begun" on page 29 of Hands on History Christopher Columbus by Mary Tucker.

2. Read: pages 52-end of the book Columbus by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire.

3. Discuss: An eclipse is the total or partial covering of the sun or moon by another planet, sun or moon. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so you can't see the sun for a short time; a lunar eclipse when the earth passes between the sun and the moon so you can't see the moon for a short time.
 
4. Comprehension Questions:
  • How did Columbus get the Indians to start bringing them food again? He told them that God was angry with them and was going to take away the moon, when really it was just an eclipse.
  • How long were Columbus and his men shipwrecked in Jamaica? A year
  • Columbus spent the rest of his life in Spain. Was he happy that he found a New Land or sad that he never found his way all the way around the earth to the East (Asia)? Disappointed that he never found the East
5. Map Skills: review with a globe the places that Columbus had come across in his journeys.
  • Genoa, Italy
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • San Salvador, The Bahamas
  • Spain
  • Haiti
  • Spain
  • Orinoco River, South America
  • Spain
  • Jamaica
  • Spain
Columbus Word Jumble
We used the Columbus Word Jumble to review some of the new words that we learned about in this unit study.

Columbus Poem
Read the poem "In 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue" or the book In 1492 by Jean Marzollo.
Columbus Poem
In 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

Columbus Word Search 
We used this Columbus Word Search as a fun way to review a few more words that we learned for this unit study.  Ask student what each of the words means after he finds them in the word search.
Columbus Word Search

4 comments:

What Darlin'? said...

Thanks so much for posting your Columbus Unit Study. I'm planning a shorter study for Columbus Day and am going to use lots of your ideas. I thank you!

I have the d'Aulaire book (which is what we're planning on using primarily). How important do you think the Mary Tucker book is? (We're not planning on doing the hands on stuff from the book. I'm wondering as far as the text as supplement to the d'Aulaire book.) Our library doesn't carry it and I'll have to buy it -- which I'll do happily if you think it really adds to the unit.

Again, thanks again!!

(It would be great if you added the blogger "gadget" to let folks search your blog by word. Just an idea (;

Great job and great luck on your blogging endeavors (:

Mama

Jessi Rose said...

The Mary Tucker book has great printables and projects. I like the added text and discussion topics, but I wouldn't say it's necessary to have a good Unit Study.

Thanks for the advice on the blogger gadget!

What Darlin'? said...

THanks Jessie Rose! Btw, have you read anywhere that it was the finding of an unusual plant and carved stick on the beach in Genoa that led young Columbus to believe Marco Polo's tales and start pondering circumnavigating the globe? I read that last night. I'm not sure if it's true...but thought I'd share the possibility (: Thanks again!

Jessi Rose said...

Nope, I haven't heard that story before!