Christopher Columbus - History English conversation lesson

Christopher Columbus was not the first person to see the "New World" but he found the trade winds that make it possible to sail there.  This is a short article suitable for kids to get a background about this famous explorer. 

http://mrnussbaum.com/columbus/

Vocabulary
 exploration
 base
appealed
 to finance
denied
monumental efforts
 fruitless results
 hit the open seas
 arduous
restless
 encountered
 viceroy
legacy
 continent
commemorate
acquiring

Pronunciation: 
Christopher  - kris to fer
Genoa Je no ah
eventually e ven tu ly
Indies In des
Indonesia In do ne sha
finance fi nanse

acquiring a kw ar ing 
denied de nied
monumental mon u men tal
Isabella Iza bella


Questions 
What did you already know about Christopher Columbus? 
What country was Columbus born in? 
What was his early profession? 
Why did he want to find a way to the West Indies? 
Which king and queen finally gave him money to go on his trip? 
What island he he land on first? 
What are the names of the three ships that Columbus took with him on his voyage?
How many miles did the ships travel each day?  
What is funny about the crew's fears?
How long was the voyage? 
Where did he think he was?
Where was he actually?
Why did he name the peoples he found Indians? 
What title was he given? 




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher