The Columbian Exchange
In this blended lesson supporting literacy skills, you will watch video dramatizations that tell the story of the Spanish explorers who arrived in the Americas with Columbus and introduced European, African, and Asian plants and animals to the Western Hemisphere. You will develop your literacy skills through a social studies focus on how the Columbian Exchange impacted life on both sides of the Atlantic. During this process, you will read informational text, learn and practice vocabulary words, and explore content through videos and interactive activities.
1. Download 1.04 Columbian Exchange Chart to complete as you navigate through the PBS lesson Columbian Exchange.
Login instructions
2. Go to Columbian Exchange presentation and complete the lesson and video segments. (Click "Launch" to begin the presentation.)
3. Go to "About This Activity" to find out more.
- Follow the directions for watching each video segment and reading primary source documents
- Complete the "Match It" drag and drop activity for vocabulary review
- Complete the "Arrange It" drag and drop activity on the Columbian Exchange
- Read the PDF text describing how plants and animals that were imported as part of the Exchange are now seen as native plants and animals in their new homes
- Click "View your notes" to view, copy and paste your notes to a word document or save your notes and results to a PDF for review and study later.
4. Submit your completed
1.04 Columbian Exchange Chart to the Dropbox.
Wait! We are not finished with the lesson yet!
5. Before you log out or leave the PBS Lesson on the Columbian Exchange read over Task #2 for directions on the "Final Assignment."
Columbian Exchange Essay In this lesson, you have learned about the Columbian Exchange and its impact on the world.
You will now write an essay that shares what you have learned and what you think about it.
You may use your notes.
Choose one of the topics below and write an essay.
Organize your response so that it includes at least three supporting details that you have learned from the reading passage, video, and other materials in this lesson.
Use at least three vocabulary words (or a form of the words) as part of your supporting details. For example, for the word jump, you could use jumps, jumped, or jumping.
Download the 1.04 Columbian Exchange Essay to type your essay in this word document.
Submit your completed 1.04 Columbian Exchange Essay to the Dropbox.
Essay Topics
1. The Atlantic Ocean once kept the Americas separated from the rest of the world. After Columbus, the ocean was like a highway connecting the Americas to Europe, Asia, and Africa. What was exchanged? How did the Columbian Exchange change life for people on these continents? Use at least three examples to support your ideas.
2. Describe some of the long-term effects of the Columbian Exchange. Explain which effects you consider positive and which you consider negative, and why. Use at least three examples to support your ideas.
Be sure to consult the
1.04 Columbian Exchange Essay Grading Rubric.
1.04 Notes Guide
Open the
1.04 Notes Guide.
Answer the 1.04 Notes Guide as you review the Lesson and watch the videos. At the end of the lesson, you will turn your completed file into the
1.04 Notes Guide Dropbox.
Complete the Unit 1 Test in the Quizzes area.
Task