This page contains the books and materials (plus reviews) used in our American history curriculum topic 9. In this topic of our history curriculum you will learn about Columbus, the year 1492 and more.

Books and Materials for Topic 9

Icon Key and Explanations

Columbus (Ingri & Edgar Parin D’Aulaire)

This is another beautiful D’Aulaire book. This is our favorite Columbus book.

Topic 9

OR

Where do You Think Your'e Going Christopher Columbus? (Jean Fritz) If you can't get the book above, this is a decent substitution. I didn't like the way everything was presented in it, but it does cover most of the details of Columbus' voyages in an adequate way. There is also a little information in this book about other explorers like Vasco de Gama, etc. If you can locate the video with this same title, you don't need the book. The video shows pictures right off the pages of the book and is narrated.

Topic 9

Pedro’s Journal (Pam Conrad) 80 pages

Topic 9

1492 (Piero Ventura) 90 pages *optional

This is a very information rich book…it may be “too much” or “too boring” for some. However, the historical vs. modern maps are worth looking at and the illustrations are very engaging. It may be a book that is more appropriate for an older sibling learning the same topic, or for those who really like to soak up facts (especially geography and history combined). Warning: there is nudity depicted on tribal people, but it is fairly indistinct. Avoid it, ignore it, or discuss how the native people did not share our concept of modesty (and why).
If you don't want to read this book, I recommend at least borrowing it from your local library to browse over the illustrations and maps with your child. This was actually one of my son's favorite books for this topic.

We have a study guide / book notes that go with this book.

Topic 9

Christopher Columbus [videorecording] / produced and directed by Issembert Productions, Inc.; director/producer, Yves Gérard Issembert

Topic 9

This Country of Ours Selections 2, 3, 4 and 5

*This is an optional read-aloud from a free online text. If you choose to read this, you can skip reading D'Aulaire's Columbus or Jean Fritz's book. The selections below are more than adequate informational-wise, but are lacking in illustrations which, for some children, are the necessary spark to get them "interested" in the subject at hand. Also, the text is written in an older "style". We think it makes for good "reading out-loud" material with explanations given as needed.

2. The Sea of Darkness and the Great Faith of Columbus
3. How Columbus Fared Forth on the Sea of Darkness and Came to Pleasant Lands Beyond
4. How Columbus Returned Home in Triumph
5.How America Was Named

Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? [videorecording] / produced for Weston Woods by King Productions.
This 35-minute video is based on the Jean Fritz book by the same title.
This video is available at UnitedStreaming.com (if you have a subscription -or you can get a 30 day free trial).

Topic 9

 History Pockets: Explorers of North America (Evan-Moor)
This History Pockets is suggested for grades 4-6, but I believe the activities are adaptable and appropriate for a 3^rd grader (which was the age of my son as he did this schedule). I do consider this particular history pockets “optional”. Take a look at it on the Evan-Moor site where you can browse through each and every page online and see if you’d like it or not. For this study I think the most “important” history pockets to be the Native Americans book and the Colonial America book (or the Pilgrims book as opposed to the Colonial book for a “younger” student). The Explorers book is NOT needed. I schedule it in for those of you who already might have it or just can't get enough History Pockets.

Topics 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 24

Plus previously mentioned on the page for Topic 1 books and materials:

The Story of the U.S.A. Book 1

Wee Sing America Book and CD

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