Lesson Plan: Columbus Day
Published on September 29, 2025
Columbus Day
CELEBRATE
📝 Overview
This lesson plan (LP) introduces students to the history and celebration of Columbus Day, encourages connections to important cultural figures, inspires exploration of new places, and culminates in a collaborative diary entry about an imaginary voyage. Students explore four essential questions:
- What is Columbus Day?
- Why do we celebrate Columbus Day?
- How can we honor influential historical figures, like Christopher Columbus?
- How can we document our experiences through artifacts?
🎯 Student Goals
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills
- strengthen collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills on the topic of exploration
- learn about Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day holiday tradition in the context of U.S. culture
- make connections between their local or regional culture and how Columbus has been honored in the United States
📖 Key Vocabulary
Below, you can find key vocabulary related to Columbus Day. You will find a glossary of definitions on pages 3 and 4 of the downloadable lesson plan.
- artifacts
- exhibits
- exploration
- explore
- explorer
- honor
- parade
- statue
- voyage
✅ Next Steps
🤔 1. Ask Questions
Before teaching this lesson, ask any remaining questions you have about the lesson plan content or techniques in the "Comments" section below. This is a great space to ask for clarifying information from the Access Team and other Access educators!
Before teaching this lesson, ask any remaining questions you have about the lesson plan content or techniques in the "Comments" section below. This is a great space to ask for clarifying information from the Access Team and other Access educators!
📷 2. Document Your Experience
While teaching this lesson, take photos and videos of students and their work. We encourage you to share compelling student photos, videos, artifacts, quotes, and relevant instructional resources in the Freedom 250 Interest Community!
While teaching this lesson, take photos and videos of students and their work. We encourage you to share compelling student photos, videos, artifacts, quotes, and relevant instructional resources in the Freedom 250 Interest Community!