Discovering Columbus: Re-reading the Past

Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 6 pages.
How to engage students in a critical analysis of the textbook version of “discovery.”

Education, Imperialism, Individuals in US History, Native American

The People vs. Columbus, et al.

Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 8 pages.
Role play in the form of a trial to determine who is responsible for the death of millions of Tainos on the island of Hispaniola in the late 15th century.

Imperialism, Individuals in US History, Native American

The Color Line

Teaching Activity PDF. By Bill Bigelow. 6 pages.
A lesson on the countless colonial laws enacted to create division and inequality based on race. This helps students understand the origins of racism in the United States and who benefits.

African American, Laws & Citizen Rights, Native American, Racism & Racial Identity

Reading Between the Lines: An Art Contest Helps Students Imagine the Lives of Runaway Slaves

Teaching Activity PDF. By Thom Thacker and Michael A. Lord. 4 pages.
An art contest is used as the basis from which students can examine primary historical documents (advertisements for runaway slaves) to gain a deeper understanding of the institution of slavery in the North.

African American, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery

Reclaiming Hidden History: Students Create a Slavery Walking Tour in Manhattan

Teaching Activity PDF. By Alan Singer. 7 pages.
How a teacher and his students organized a tour of the hidden history of slavery in New York.

African American, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery

Columbus and Las Casas

Teaching Activity PDF. By Gayle Olson-Raymer. 15 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 1 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on Columbus’ arrival in the “New World,” and the contrasting accounts of Bartolome de Las Casas and Eduardo Galeano.

Individuals in US History, Native American

The First Slaves

Teaching Activity PDF. By Gayle Olson-Raymer. 15 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 2 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on early American slavery, resistance and rebellion.

Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery

Servitude and Rebellion

Teaching Activity PDF. By Gayle Olsen-Raymer. 15 pages.
Questions and teaching ideas for Chapter 3 of Voices of a People’s History of the United States on the role and dissent of indentured servants in American colonial history.

Democracy & Citizenship, Immigration, Labor, Social Class

Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years

Teaching Guide. By Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson. 1998. 192 pages.
Readings and lessons for pre-K to 12 students which counter the myth of Columbus and on contemporary issues of indigenous rights.

Individuals in US History, Native American

A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present

Book - Nonfiction. By Howard Zinn. 2005. 702 pages.
Howard Zinn’s groundbreaking work on U.S. history. This book details the lives and facts that are rarely included in textbooks — an indispensable teacher resource.