by Kristie Giles, Bridger Elementary
Students research explorers, participate in a explorer simulation and must persuade the rest of the class that their explorer(s) were really the first to discover the Americas.
Introduction
Did Columbus discover the Americas? or was it the Spanish? or maybe the Vikings? Many believe it was Columbus, but he didn't arrive in the Americas until 1492. Could someone else have beat him there?
Thursday, October 25, 1492
...I have set sail for Cuba. In speaking (gesturing, I do not understand their language) with the natives, I have guessed this Cuba to be filled with gold and spices. The natives also inform me that it is a very busy place where large ships and merchants are in constant trade. I am hoping to reach this land by sailing west-southwest. This land may be the island of Cipango, the island of which wondrous stories have been written. I believe I have seen this island on the globe and maps of the world...
Who wrote this quote? Were there maps of the Americas in 1492? Are there other things in this quote that seem mysterious? Would the writer of this quote want other people to read it? Who discovered the Americas?