Show your students how to make a simple explorer's telescope. Cut brown construction paper into 3-inch strips and give one to each student. Show students how to roll the strip lengthwise to make a long tube and secure with glue. Next, wrap a 1-inch strip of black paper around one end of the telescope and glue to make a focusing lens. On the opposite end of the telescope, use a hole punch to cut two holes close to the top, one on each side. Cut a long piece of yarn, loop each end through one of the holes and tie to secure to make a neck strap. Give students paint and markers and invite them to decorate their telescopes.
Print out a map of the world on white paper. Give each student a map, markers and several dry beans. Ask students to color their map. Next, help students locate Spain and mark it with a dot. Next, locate San Salvador, in the Bahamas, where Columbus landed, and have students mark the spot. Encourage students to trace the route between Spain and San Salvador by gluing beans in between the two dots.
Help students recreate Columbus' three ships: The Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina. Draw the outline of the body of a ship on brown construction paper, and help students cut out three ship shapes. In addition, draw a sail on white paper and help students cut out three sails. Give each student a large piece of white paper, and show them how to glue the pieces of the ships together onto the paper. Next, provide paint and paint brushes and encourage students to paint an ocean scene around the ships. Provide markers and help students write the name of each ship on its hull.
When Columbus explored the new world, he recorded his discoveries. Help students make an explorer's diary like Columbus. Give students several pieces of paper and a small plastic bag. Take students outside for an exploring expedition, and encourage them to collect artifacts from their mission, such as interesting leaves, flowers, plants or rocks in their bag. In addition, ask students to draw what they see on their pieces of paper using pencils, markers or crayons. Once back inside the classroom, show students how to glue their artifacts to their paper. For rocks and other items that are not easily glued, place in a small clear plastic bag and staple the bag to the paper. Ask students to describe and label their artifacts and drawings. Once the pages are completed, ask students to make a cover page with the words "My Explorer Diary" and their name written on it. Bind the pages by stapling them together.