Christopher Columbus KS1

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Columbus is best known for his famous first voyage across the Atlantic in 1492, when he set out with three ships, hoping to reach Asia. Instead, he landed in the Americas. However, he never actually believed he'd discovered a 'New World' and with each voyage he hoped to prove he had found a new trade route to China! This makes Columbus’s journey an interesting entry point into how exploration has dramatically changed our knowledge of the world around us over time.

Christopher Columbus Timeline

To build children's understanding of chronology and the passing of time, timelines are a great starting point as they are both visual and hands on! They also support the retelling of chronological narratives which helps develop children's historical vocabulary and oracy. A timeline activity linked to Columbus' first voage is included in the lesson pack, but here is a brief timeline of significant dates in the life of Christopher Columbus:

1451: Columbus is born in Genoa (modern-day Italy).

1492: He begins his first sea voyage with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

1492–1504: Columbus makes four voyages, exploring islands in the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America.

1506: Columbus dies, still believing he had reached Asia.

This timeline helps children see the progression of Columbus's adventures and understand that his exploration of the Americas was accidental—he was convinced he’d found Asia!

Christopher Columbus Resources and Teaching Ideas

Bring Christopher Columbus' journey to life with role-play, using the resources in the lesson pack to set up a classroom map to trace Columbus’s route and retell the story. Alternatively, you can use the resources from our Sea Voyages Then and Now lesson pack as a starting point for children to write a sea log or diary entry about their experience aboard Christopher Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria.

The Impact of Christoper Columbus and The Age of Exploration

Why is Christopher Columbus considered a 'significant individual' worthy of study today?

It helps us understand how exploration shaped our world:

There is no doubt that the voyages of Christopher Columbus brought about a period of rapid and complex social, economic and cultural change. For centuries, his voyages inspired others to explore the world, advancing navigation, our knowledge of the world and opening up trade and cultural connections across continents. It also demonstrates our human thirst for knowledge and discovery.

It helps us understand different perspectives:

Columbus's story allows children to see how one event can be viewed in multiple ways. To Europeans, his discovery meant new trade routes, resources and wealth. For the indigenous populations of the Caribbean islands and American it marked the beginning of a major upheaval, as their lands were colonised and their populations devastated by disease and conflict, leaving their societies forever altered. It is critical to understand this in order to decolonise the curriculum.

It helps us think critically about historical impact:

Columbus’s story encourages children to think about how one person’s actions can have large-scale effects, both positive and negative. It also encourages them to consider why history remembers certain people and the importance of viewing them critically.This opens up rich discussions about the multiple perspectives of historical events and about whose history is told through different historical sources.

This balanced approach gives children the skills to look at history thoughtfully, understand its impact and build empathy for all perspectives involved.

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian sailor, map-maker and explorer.