Introduction

Okay 5th Graders, let's explore!! We want to examine our standards under 5.2 to understand the mindset of explorers like Christopher Columbus. So, imagine you are Christopher Columbus, living in Spain in the 1400's AD. You have no idea that there is a huge unexplored region on the other side of the world. You long for the excitement of sailing the great oceans, and finding the many things you know are out there to find. You want to sail the unexplored territory of the wide open ocean because you know there must be many wonderful things to see. Let's follow in that epic journey and see what we can discover too!

Questions

1. Where did Christopher Columbus first land when he arrived in the New World?
   
   
2. Which of Columbus' three ships was the fastest when sailing?
   
   
3. What happened to The Santa Maria after it docked on Christmas Day?
   
   
4. Why did Christopher Columbus sail west?
   
   
5. What happened on October 10th, 34 days into the voyage, and why?
   
   

The Internet Resources

• Christopher Columbus' Landing in 1492
• Colombus' Three Ships
• Columbus' First Voyage
• Christopher Columbus and the History of the Food
• Christopher Columbus Information from the Maritime Museum

The Big Question

What was Christoper Columbus searching for when he left Palos, Spain in 1492, why did he go the way he went, and what did he find?