I SAW IT FIRST!
A persuasive writing activity on who beat
Christopher Columbus to America
GRADES 3-5
I Saw it First:
A persuasive writing activity on who
beat Christopher Columbus to America
W.3.1, W.4.1, W.5.1
SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Multimedia, ELA Persuasive Writing
DESCRIPTION
Students watch a brief video from the History Channel that argues another group or
country’s claim to setting foot on American soil prior to Christopher Columbus’s famous
voyage in 1492. Then, students use the attached graphic organizer to list 3 main details
from the video and write a persuasive paragraph arguing their point of view.
Bonus: Includes a list of five Columbus Day themed CCSS writing prompts.
GRADE LEVELS
Grade 3-5
DURATION
45 minutes
ELA, MULTIMEDIA
OBJECTIVES
• Watch a selected video from The History Channel Website.
• Using a graphic organizer, list 3 facts from the video that a foreign vessel set foot
on American soil prior to 1492 when Christopher Columbus landed.
• Write a persuasive paragraph using facts from the graphic organizer.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
1. Computer / Tablet with Internet connection
2. The Columbus Controversy:
http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/columbus-controversy/videos
3. Graphic Organizer
ACTIVITY PLAN
1. Break students into 5 groups: Leif Eriksson, The Chinese, The Welsh, The
Polynesians, and The Irish. Each group will watch their corresponding video from
the History Channel’s Columbus Controversy Website (Scroll to the bottom of the
page to the other video clips. You may have to use the arrow to the right to find
each clip.)
2. Have students individually complete the graphic organizer. They may need to view
the clip again and pause it during viewing if necessary.
3. Students will use their graphic organizer to write a persuasive paragraph arguing
that Christopher Columbus was not the first foreigner to set foot on American soil.
ELA, MULTIMEDIA
The Columbus Controversy
Name:
Date:
Fact #1:
Who landed in
America before
Columbus?
Fact #3:
Fact #2:
Columbus Day Writing Prompts
CCSS Standards
Prompt
3rd
Grade
4th
Grade
5th
Grade
Columbus’s ships were called the Nina, Pinta, and
Santa Maria. What would you name your three
exploration ships? Why did you choose these names?
W.3.1.b
W.4.1.b
W5.1.b.
You have been on the Santa Maria for 3 months as a
deck hand. What is a typical day like?
W. 3.3.b.
W.4.3.b.
W.5.3.b.
Oh no – a group of Italians have landed on your
island! You are in a gathering of members of your
tribe who are looking for your opinion on how to
receive your new guests. What do you think you
should do?
W.3.1.a.
W.4.1.a.
W.5.1.a.
You are Christopher Columbus and your ships
haven’t moved for three days in the middle of the
Atlantic Ocean. Write an entry in your ship’s log
detailing how you will keep the crew motivated, and
if you should turn back to Europe or try to continue
on.
W.3.3.a.
W.4.3.a.
W.5.3.a.
You have stayed at the settlement of La Navidad
while Columbus returns to Europe. Write a letter to
your family to tell them about the West Indies.
Include a drawing of your new home.
W.3.2.a.
W.4.2.a.
W.5.2.a.
ELA, MULTIMEDIA