Columbus Day Bulletin Board Ideas
Columbus Discovered America Lessons and Classroom Displays
Oct 5, 2009
The second Monday in October is known as Columbus Day, the date America celebrates its discovery. Create a great Columbus Day bulletin board with some Old World ideas that will illustrate the wonder of Columbus’ amazing discovery of the New World. Lay down the foundation, and let the kids contribute to the school bulletin board by engaging them in a Columbus Day lesson and craft. Try these Columbus Day bulletin board ideas this October.
Bulletin Board Design: The World is Round
Despite opposition, Columbus maintained his belief that the world was round. The bulletin board backdrop for the world is round theme would be a map showing the world with all seven continents. On the map, outline the route in pencil that Christopher Columbus and his sailing crew took in hopes of reaching the Indies. Teachers can demonstrate Columbus' plan to reach the Asian continent by sailing in the opposite direction.
Show the kids what obstacles were in Columbus’ way (the New World and the vastness of the journey). Then after the Columbus Day lesson plan, each child can be given a small paper ship and add details on it, such as sail designs, sailors, and portholes. Once complete, children can outline the path that Columbus sailed from Spain to San Salvador and the New World by taping or gluing their boats along the pencil outline.
Sail the Ocean Blue Display with Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria
During Columbus’ long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, his men were discouraged, tired, and hungry. Teachers can create a blue ocean with a large ship cross-section as the backdrop of this Columbus Day bulletin board idea. The Columbus Day lesson can focus on the journey and what it might have been like to live on the ships. Sailors had eat salted meat and sleep on deck because the supplies were packed below.
On the bulletin board display, kids can add various details, such as the types of supplies that were stored on board each ship (extra wood, sails, ropes, food), and the sparse food and sleeping quarters/arrangements the men had to endure.
Celebrate Columbus’ Great Discovery
Columbus reached land on October 12, 1492. However, it was not the land he thought it would be. Create a bulletin board background of the island where Christopher Columbus landed. The Columbus Day lesson can focus on what new discoveries were made in the New World: cotton, parrots, and food such as potatoes, peanuts, papayas, and avocados.
Add some details to the bulletin board design by creating palm trees, grass huts, and hammocks. Then have the children glue onto the bulletin board some of the New World items mentioned above and label them.
Christopher Columbus achieved greatness, a discovery that he was not even aware of during his lifetime. Young children will benefit by learning a little bit about the day Columbus discovered America and the man who made this country and its many dreams possible. Decorate a school bulletin board for Columbus Day this October and recreate the spirit of discovery with world maps, sailing ships, and details about the undiscovered country through the eyes of Columbus.
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