Columbus Day is just a couple weeks away and I’ve been busy collecting free resources and ideas to use in our homeschool. Columbus Day is not a holiday that we cover every year, but this year we’ll be spending a little time talking about Christopher Columbus and his role in history.
Honestly, I hesitated in sharing these resources since there is controversy surrounding this national holiday, but I think it provides a great opportunity to discuss worldview and perspective for my older students. Recognizing history does not necessarily mean we are celebrating it.
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In addition to what I’ve found online, we’ll be hitting the library and our own book collection to round out our Columbus unit study. Some of the books we’ve used before or will be using this year include:
Who Was Christopher Columbus? by Bonnie Bader
Columbus by Edgar & Ingri D’Aulaire
Pedro’s Journal by Pam Conrad
Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus? by Jean Fritz
The World of Columbus and Sons by Genevieve Foster
You Wouldn’t Want to Sail With Christopher Columbus!: Uncharted Waters You’d Rather Not Cross by Fiona MacDonald
This free resource unit has 25+ free Columbus resources to help you create your own free Columbus Day unit. We have students in a wide range of grades, so you will find a little something for everyone.
Copyright: bloomua / 123RF Stock Photo
Free Columbus Day Unit Study
Free Printables
Cynce’s Place – Columbus Day Worksheets & Copywork (33 pages)
Teacher Vision – Chart Columbus’ Voyages Lesson Plan
3 Dinosaurs – Christopher Columbus Printable Mini-Pack
Scholastic – Columbus: Man, Myth, and Legacy
In All You Do – Puzzle Activity Pack
Homeschool Journeys – Christopher Columbus Printables
Teachers Pay Teachers – Christopher Columbus Roll & Cover Math Games
123 Homeschool 4 Me – Columbus Day Writing Prompts & Coloring Sheets
Montessori Print Shop – Compass Rose Worksheets
Coloring from DLTK – Columbus Day Coloring Pages
Scholastic – Columbus’ Mistake Play
Copyright: igercelman / 123RF Stock Photo
Free Lapbooks & Notebooking Pages
Marine Corps Nomads – Christopher Columbus Lapbook & Notebook Printables
The Notebooking Fairy – Columbus Day Notebooking Pages
Free Unit Studies
Homeschool Share – Pedro’s Journal Unit Study
Learning With My Boys – Christopher Columbus Unit Study
Free eBooks & Audio
Homeschool Freebie of the Day – Stories of Christopher Columbus eBook (pdf)
Homeschool Freebie of the Day – You Are There: Columbus Discovers America mp3
Copyright: klim2011 / 123RF Stock Photo
Free Videos & Online Resources
YouTube – History of Columbus Day (History Channel Video – 4:28 min.)
National Geographic Kids – Christopher Columbus Video (3:07 min.)
U.S. History Images – Christopher Columbus Maps
Library of Congress – 1492: An Ongoing Voyage Online Exhibit
Free Crafts & Activities
Lasting Thumbprints – Bouyancy & Density Activity
Craft Project Ideas – Paper Tube Telescope
Spoonful – “New World” Map Activity
Oh Happy Day – Veggie Boats Snack
Noggins & Nonsense – DIY Ship in a Bottle
Paper Toys – Printable Santa Maria Paper Model
One Charming Party – Balloon Boat Race Game
Kids Activities Blog – How To Make A Compass
A Jones says
Thanks for posting this! It’s exactly what I was looking for.
Jo says
I’m glad it was helpful! 🙂
Blasko says
I enjoyed the report and suppose you have more such material?
If yes, so please post it because it is somewhat uncommon for me at the present moment, and
not for me personally, that is my opinion.
Darby Mccleery says
I was looking for up to date information on this subject for a few days.
Now I am satisfied because I have finally attained your article.