Ceative Output for Studying History

We have been studying the Age of Exploration in History. Recently, we have been learning about Columbus’s seven year effort to convince various rulers of Europe to finance his proposal to sail west around the globe to find a sea route to The Indies (Asia). After repeatedly being turned down because the expedition was seen as dangerous, stupid and far too costly, Columbus convinces King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance him. The fifth graders in Gail’s class were given roles to enact this scene from history. Their task was to write a script; write their own lines in the context of the story. The students far exceeded expectations when Avi Duhan and the group he was working with decided to make it a musical. The next thing I knew, Soluna, Amalya and others made up “raps” to go with their lines. It was so charming and creative. If we only had a lot more time, the students could have made the whole skit a musical presentation. As it is, they were all great. So many good actors and writers in our class! I don’t think they will ever forget the pros and cons that the monarchs’ advisers had to debate. Tomorrow, they will be writing a letter of petition to the King and Queen as if they were Columbus. This activity not only ensures an interesting history lesson, but prepares our class for learning how to write persuasive essays and how to debate.