Activity Overview

It is important to confront the history of Columbus and the devastating impact his conquests had on the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean. With this in mind, introduce students to both the positive effects of the Columbian exchange as well as the negative. Teachers can use primary source accounts (such as the writings of Bartolome de Las Casas, a Spanish priest on Columbus’ journeys, and Columbus’ own diary). History should be studied from different perspectives to produce an accurate account of events that occurred and their impact today. This will help students develop important critical thinking skills.

In this activity, students will create a poster that describes the life and accomplishments of Christopher Columbus and includes the impact he had on the Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. They should be encouraged to focus more on the latter half of his life and his interactions in the Caribbean rather than his early life.

You can find more poster templates to add to the assignment so students can have a variety to choose from, or they can start from scratch with the poster layout.

Template and Class Instructions


Due Date:

Objective: Research the life ofColumbus and his impact on the Caribbean people. Create a poster to show what you've learned.

Student Instructions:

  1. Using school resources, conduct research on Columbus and his four journeys to the Caribbean including his impact on the Indigenous people living there.
  2. Using one of the History Poster templates, create a poster that describes Columbus’ accomplishments as well as the negative impact he had on the people of the Caribbean.

Requirements: Include name, birth and death dates, impact on society, and any other information you think is important.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-6

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

More Storyboard That Activities

Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean

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