Overview:

This lesson allows students to look at how Colombus is portrayed in pictures.

Objectives:

1. Students will analyze pictures of Columbus and their captions.

2. Students will examine bias in media. 

Grade Level: 7-9

Time: 1 Day

Subjects: American History, Geography, Latin American History

Required Materials

1. A wide variety of sources with pictures of Christopher Columbus (teacher should pick pictures which portray Columbus in different ways i.e. heroic, adventurous, intelligent, cruel, etc.) 

2. Pictoral Analysis Questions on an overhead 

Optional Technologies:

Scan pictures into a powerpoint presentation and analyze the pictures without stations. This is an easier way to use pictures found on the internet. 

Prerequisites:

Students have completed the "Who is Christopher Columbus" lesson or a similar lesson. 

Suggested Procedure:

1. Teacher will set up room in stations - a different picture at each station. It  is helpful to number the stations. On the overhead are the Pictoral Analysis Questions.
2. Explain that the class will be looking at various pictures of Columbus and answering questions #1-4 about each picture (It is helpful to cover up question #5 until all the pictures have been examined by students).
3. Students travel around the room, looking at the pictures and answering the questions. When students have visited all stations, have them answer question #5 on their own.
4. Discuss student responses. Put pictures into categories that correspond with three biographies. Why does the picture fit there? What do some of the captions say? What information does this add to the picture? Does the caption help you to put the picture into one of the three categories? Which picture do you think is the true Columbus? Why? Refer back to discussion of how history is written and make connection to these pictures.
5. Explain to students that Columbus' actual appearance is a mystery - no one really knows what he looks like. Then discuss: What does this mean for authors or artists who have an opinion about Columbus? Why is this important?

s

Credits

Lindsay Gaida, Eden Prairie Central Middle School