Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Christopher Columbus. Holiday House, 1991
Lexile Level 710L
Book Review:
Columbus is portrayed as brave and shows perseverance in this text. The text discusses his early life briefly, sharing that he became a sailor and was injured early on. After sharing that he worked in a map store, got married, and had a child the text shows how he and his brother continued to ask different Kings and Queens for permission for ships to travel. The book is very mater-of-fact about each detail, not giving many adjectives to describe his actions or personality. This does help it come across as a less biased portrayal. The text shares that “after years of waiting, the king and queen of Spain finally agreed to help him”, not sharing what changed their minds. Christopher is also shown as a leader, pushing his sailors to “Sail on” when they were scared and wanted to turn back. When he reaches San Salvador he is shown being kind to the natives, but still saying that he “named them”. One accuracy that is appreciated is when he returns to the island after his second trip he “found that the men who stayed behind after the first voyage had been cruel to the Indians” but then says that “The Indians had killed them all”.
Children may ask, ‘then how did he know that was the truth?’ among other things. Although some of the wording says he “found” lands, it later says that he “discovered the land which was later named America”, more falsities. The book, however, does mention that after several trips with no gold he was not considered a hero it does end with praise, “He had been a great sailor, able to find his way across unknown waters and back home again. He had found the New World.”
I think that this book has benefits, mostly coming from its very clear dates and sequence of events. There is also a listing of Important Dates at the end of the story which would be helpful to children. I would definitely not suggest that this be the sole book read aloud or given to a child. It could be a good jumping off point to start discussions. In a classroom a teacher could either list questions children asked during the reading or each child make their own list from which to start research. The teacher should also mention that this book is not recent and so it is a good reason to read other books for more information. The correct or more accurate portrayal would include important dates, important people he worked with, and accurate depictions of his character. I think it would also need to include WHY so many books don’t show the whole picture. Children could understand why some would want him to look like a hero but they also know that anyone who might be a hero in some ways always has their own flaws.
Learning Activity
Students will read this text and Follow the Dream: The Story of Christopher Columbus, by Peter Sis. The class will also watch videos about Christopher Columbus to understand his importance in history. The class will discuss how there are different understandings of his discovery of America, but that he also had a major impact on the Native Americans.
Students will listen and read along with both texts to look for effects that Christopher Columbus had on the Native Americans and the land that he “found”.
Students will work with a partner to write a two paragraph essay summarizing how Christopher Columbus affected the people and place that he came to. Students will work together to write each paragraph with a topic sentence, three details, and a concluding sentence.
Objectives
Students will follow grade level expectations for discussion with their classmates and partner. (Psychomotor)
Students will write a two paragraph essay in which they include a topic sentence and concluding sentence in each. (Cognitive)
Students will include at least three appropriate details to support their thinking in each paragraph. (Cognitive)
Goal
Students will form an understanding of the effects that CHristopher Columbus had on the place he came to and the people he interacted with. Students will gain experience working with a partner and participating in discussions.
Outcomes
Students will participate in classroom and partner discussions. Students will write a two paragraph essay summarizing the effect that Christopher Columbus had on the place he came to and the people he interacted with.
Standards
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
NYS Social Studies Standards
2.7 Cause-and-effect relationships help us recount events and understand historical development.
2.7a Cause-and-effect relationships help us to understand the changes in communities.
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