Christopher Columbus, A Space Pioneer

Columbus Day is celebrated during October. The voyage of Christopher Columbus with his ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria is similar to our present-day space explorations because they were/are both exploring unfamiliar and unknown territory. Make that connection for the young children.

Explain that in the days of Columbus, most people believed that the world was flat, but that Columbus believed that it was round and set out to explore earth. He proved that the earth was not flat, and is credited with "discovering" America. He was brave, just as our present-day space pioneers are brave.

On a large sheet of chart paper, conduct a class survey. First, to the entire group, read, "Would you want to explore outer space?" Give them time to think about it. Then, during work time, have students come to you individually to explain their "yes" or "no" reason. Print it as they dictate it, so that they can see the relationship between their words and the print that is being written. Some students begin to understand that they, too, can put their words into print.

Excerpted from First Grade Teacher's Month-by-Month Activities.