Write or download a script for a Columbus Day role play activity. Encourage whole class participation in the activity when possible. Students will create artistic hats or clothing from brown paper bags and markers to look the part while reading the script. For older age levels, have the students memorize their specific parts and perform for other classes within the school.
A teacher from another classroom may visit the students as Christopher Columbus and small groups of students must instruct the adult on the many uses of corn, whether currently or in 1492. Corn was one of the things that Christopher Columbus brought with him on the Mayflower to plant in the United States. Share a few bags of microwave popcorn at the finish of your Columbus Day activity.
Divide the class into two debate teams and encourage one team to act as Christopher Columbus and his crew of 90 men who sailed across the ocean and one team as the scientists who believed that making the trip would be fatal to the explorers. In the 15th century many still believed that the earth was flat and not spherical. Each team will debate points to create a discussion about the earth and its shape. Promote additional debates such as would you have participated in the exploration or not and whether the finding of the new world was a threat to Native American peoples already settled.
Each student will sculpt a sailing ship from clay resembling the Mayflower using artistic sculpting tools or pencils and wooden craft sticks. Allow the art to dry and encourage students to paint the masterpiece with colors resembling those on the actual ship. Using a world map, students will sail the path taken by Christopher Columbus with the boat.