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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Exploring the Early Americas: Columbus and the Taino

For Students 9th - 10th
An on-line exhibit displaying copies of Columbus' journals, other writings about his voyages and findings, as well as information and artifacts of the Taino, the Native Americans Columbus encountered on San Salvador.
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Lesson Plan
The Newberry Library

Newberry: Exploration and Encounter: Map 1: The World Columbus Knew in 1482

For Students K - 1st
Newberry Library presents historical map on the Age of Exploration with lesson plans for all ages k-12. Includes curator notes and a wealth of supplemental resource material.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: An Ongoing Voyage: Christopher Columbus: Man and Myth

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a larger exhibit from the Library of Congress, this site explores some of the motivations and expectations of Christopher Columbus as a result of his voyages.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: What Was Columbus Thinking

For Teachers 5th - 8th
These lesson plans guide students' thinking about the effects Columbus' journey to the New World had on Native Americans and uses primary sources such as excerpts from Columbus' diary and letters to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
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Website
Other

Ships of Discovery: Columbus's Lost Ships

For Students 5th - 8th
We all know about the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria, but what about the rest of Columbus' ships? He was a busy man after the initial discovery. This site is by a group of archaeologists who try to find historic underwater wrecks....
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Handout
Mariners' Museum and Park

Age of Exploration: Christopher Columbus: The Second Voyage

For Students 9th - 10th
A report of Christopher Columbus' second voyage to the New World. Find out what islands he visited in the Caribbean, and discover how successful he was in finding riches.
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Primary
Mariners' Museum and Park

Age of Exploration: Christopher Columbus: The Third Voyage

For Students 9th - 10th
Christopher Columbus' third voyage was disastrous for him. Find out what problems he had, and read a letter he wrote hoping for intercession with Ferdinand and Isabella to help him with his problems.
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Website
A&E Television

History.com: Columbus Day

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection includes a description of the life and work of Christopher Columbus, along with a discussion of why Columbus Day is a controversial holiday. Includes video.
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Primary
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Columbus and the Egg" by Barbara Radner

For Students 4th - 6th
This is a historical fiction story about Columbus, the explorer who came to the Americas from Spain in 1492. This is a story about what might have happened long ago when he was back in Spain. A specific purpose for reading and vocabulary...
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: 10 Things You May Not Know About Christopher Columbus

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out 10 things you may not know about the explorer who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 for example, Columbus didn't set out to prove the earth was round.
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: Christopher Columbus: How the Explorer's Legend Grew and Then Drew Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
Christopher Columbus has long been exalted as a heroic figure in American history: the first explorer to establish a European presence in the New World. Americans have celebrated his arrival as far back as 1792, the 300th anniversary of...
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Columbus's Three Voyages

For Students 9th - 10th
View one of the top treasures in the Library of Congress, the parchment on which is written the earliest description of Columbus's first three voyages to the New World.
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Unit Plan
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Christopher Columbus

For Students 3rd - 5th
Enchanted Learning offers a description of the life of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) and his travels. Contains a global map indicating his route.