For some, travel is more than just a leisure activity. Instead, it can be a chance to discover and explore new worlds. In the past, explorers sought to chart new territories on Earth. Nowadays, there are few parts of the world that remain unexplored, and explorers look beyond Earth to other planets and the mysteries of outer space.
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator and coloniser. For many years, he was credited with discovering America, although America was actually discovered by its indigenous population and the vikings were the first Europeans to reach its shores.
Watch the following video biography of Christopher Columbus’s life. www.biography.com/video/christopher-columbus-mini-
biography-6831683604 Understand
1. In what year was Columbus born? 2. What inspired Columbus to sail west in an effort to reach India? 3. Who gave Columbus the money for his voyage? 4. Name the three ships that Columbus set sail with. 5. After two months of sailing, where did Columbus reach? 6. What did Columbus force the indigenous people to do? 7. Why was Columbus arrested? 8. What did Christopher Columbus die believing?
Investigate
Work in small groups to research a famous explorer of your choice. Below are some suggestions.
Roald Amundsen Neil Armstrong Juan Garrido
Isabelle Eberhardt Captain James Cook Hernan Cortes
Use the following headings to guide your research: Year of birth Early life
Voyages/quests Discoveries
Create
Work in your groups to create a short video biography about the explorer you have researched. Come up with 10 questions for the class to answer after they have watched your video biography.
