Christopher Columbus, A Critical Analysis

We have been learning about Christopher Columbus in our classroom.  We read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendek with our first grade buddies and explored point of view.  We looked at different points of view regarding his arrival in Cuba and Hispaniola (now Haiti and Dominican Republic) by reading, comparing, and contrasting Encounter by Jane Yolen and Follow the Dream The Story of Christopher Columbus by Peter Sis.  We also read from Where do you Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? by Jean Fritz for more background information.  In addition, we read primary and secondary historical documents to analyze the treatment of the native people.  We will conclude our study with a trial for the mass genocide of the native people.  Ask your child about this mini-unit.  Who is to blame and why?