Columbus Day in the Classroom

     Talking about Columbus Day in the classroom can be a kind of tricky. The students already come in with an idea of who Christopher Columbus was and what they have been told. In the two articles I read for class they gave good examples and different ways of how to go about it in the classroom. One teacher used an example with the topic of the word discovery.  She explained what it meant how Columbus used that as an excuse for "discovering America". The teacher then gave them questions to talk/think about when reading other books about Christopher Columbus. I think that this was a good way to getting them thinking and questioning whats going on. In the other article I read it talked about how to approach talking about Native Americans and stereotypes. Many of these topics are very important to talk about even at an early age so the students can get a better understanding of what they are saying/how they are acting towards one another. I think before starting the lesson of Columbus it would be interesting to have them draw up an idea of who they think Christopher Columbus was and explain. This idea came from the article on stereotypes.
     When I have children of my own I would like to use some of the example of articles like the ones I've read to teach them about the real Christopher Columbus, not the glorified one. I think it will be helpful having a teaching background when it comes to this kind of topic when talking to my own kids. I would like to teach them about stealing and discrimination as well.

I found this picture when researching Christopher Columbus. If you notice it says "brave" and "hero" as a characteristic Columbus might have had. the children in this classroom were introduced to all of the things that Columbus really did. Everything is being sugar coated and hidden. Children at an early age should know the truth and the lessons that can come along with it.
     I think that all students should learn the truth about Columbus such a who he was as a person and all of the things he did such as stealing and taking over other peoples land. There are many different approaches, just find one that you find the most interesting! How would you go about it?

Resources:Columbus picture
The articles we read for class