Statues of Christopher Columbus

This activity is intended as wrap-up to a unit on the Age of Exploration or for use when studying monuments and memorials. For grades 4-8. Approximate time needed is 40 minutes.

To begin, ask students to define the terms monument and memorial. After discussing definitions, ask students if they can think of a monument or memorial in their town, city, county, or state.

• What does the monument memorialize?
• Why do we memorialize people through sculptures?

Tell students that they will be analyzing multiple statues and monuments across the United States to memorialize the explorer Christopher Columbus. Ask students to brainstorm qualities, characteristics, historical events, and other details that they associate with Christopher Columbus.

Present the activity to the entire class. Model careful analysis with one of the first images for students. Then divide the class into several groups. Assign each group to the remaining statues. Remind them to use the blue buttons at the bottom of the photographs to look at each one more closely and to click on “View Primary Source Details” to see additional images and background details about the statue.

For each statue, ask students to consider the following:

• What do you see?
• What do you think it represents?
• How does it physically or symbolically depict Christopher Columbus?
• What aspects and qualities does it appear to emphasize in its depiction?

Bring the class back together and ask students to report on individual statues as you list out the details. After discussing statues and monuments individually, ask students to note any major similarities and differences between the monuments.

Some of the similarities and differences they may notice include:

• Several of the statues include imagery of globes.
• One is a bust, one is a fountain, and two are life-size statues.
• Several of the statues depict Columbus pointing to the distance.

Direct students’ attention to the conclusion questions under “When You’re Done.” Discuss their thoughts.

• Do you think that all statues of Christopher Columbus should be removed? Do you think they they all should remain? Or should it be a case-by-case situation?
• Who should make the decision for statues to remain or be removed? How should these decisions be made?
• If you were to create a statue, monument, or memorial in that same place to replace a statue of Christopher Columbus, what would it be? Why?