Christopher Columbus
A WebQuest
by
Mr. Steven McCarthy
Reading Memorial High School
Introduction
Christopher Columbus was an ambitious and
talented navigator. His daring and long-distance
voyage across the Atlantic to America in 1492 is
celebrated in the United States today. Columbus
Day is a controversial celebration, however. His
discovery resulted in the slaughter, exploitation,
and enslavement of the native inhabitants (the
Taino). Do you think the United States should
celebrate Columbus Day?
Task
Persuasive Letter Writing Assignment
Write a persuasive letter to the
President of the United States
expressing your point-of-view. The
goal of your letter is to convince the
President that your opinion is informed,
reasonable, and should be considered.
Process
1. Read the primary and secondary sources listed in the “Resources”
section of this WebQuest. They will guide you in critically
evaluating whether or not the United States should celebrate
Columbus Day.
2. As you read through the multiple sources, gather the pros and cons
concerning the celebration of Columbus Day. Organize this
information into a two-column table. I have provided a two-column
table for you to use while taking notes. The final two-column
table must be typed.
3. Then analyze your two-column table, take a position (either pro or
con), and focus on your three strongest reasons.
4. Finally, write a persuasive letter to the President of the United
States expressing your opinion (see Persuasive Letter Guidelines).
Resources (Pro)
Secondary Sources
“Columbus Day: A Time to Celebrate”
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_columbus
“Why We Should Celebrate Columbus Day”
http://www.osia.org/public/pdf/Celebrate_Col_Day.pdf
Primary Sources
“By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation”
http://www.osia.org/public/pdf/Columbus_Day_06.pdf
“Celebrate! Holidays in the U.S.A.”
http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/Columbus.html
Resources (Con)
Secondary Sources
“A Faithful Response to the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of Christopher Columbus”
http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/faithful.html
“An Open Letter from the American Indian Movement of Colorado and our Allies”
http://www.indians.org/welker/byecolum.htm
“Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress” (excerpted from a People’s History of the United
States by Howard Zinn)
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/Columbus_PeoplesHx.html
“A Message from the United Confederation of Taino People: Why Celebrate Columbus Day?
Please Share & Help Educate”
http://www.uctp.org/Message1.htm
Evaluation
PERSUASIVE LETTER RUBRIC (30 Points)
Paragraph 1: (Opinion clearly stated in opening paragraph)
0 1
Paragraph 2: (Reason #1 clearly explained with evidence from sources)
0 1 2 3 4
Paragraph 3: (Reason #2 clearly explained with evidence from sources)
0 1 2 3 4
Paragraph 4: (Reason #3 clearly explained with evidence from sources)
0 1 2 3 4
Paragraph 5: (Refute the strongest counter-arguments with evidence from sources)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Paragraph 6: (Position repeated / request for action)
0 1
Proper format of letter (Modified block format, spacing, font, font size)
0 1 2 3 4
Two-column table of pros and cons
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have critically examined a
controversial question of historical significance,
analyzed various primary and secondary sources, and
expressed your point-of-view through persuasive letter
writing. Because of your hard work and excellent
research skills, the President of the United States has
agreed to read your letter and consider your perspective!
Keep up the good work!