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A Lesson on Columbus and the Egg Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Lesson on Columbus and the Egg Grade: Grade 5
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Jessica Brewer
Lesson Length: 30 minutes or less
Keywords/Tags: Columbus
Lesson Description: This lesson is designed to occur after the students acquire basic biographical knowledge regarding Christopher Columbus. Having been exposed to informational text about Columbus will allow students the opportunity to directly compare types of text as well as apply critical thinking skills, use memory learning, and apply analytical and practical learning skills to practice. Students will also be prompted to respond to a real-world scenario in which critical thinking skills will be implemented to successfully respond.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6: Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

Columbus and the Egg

This is a story about Columbus. He was an explorer. He is the explorer who came to the Americas from Spain in 1492. This is a story about what might have happened long ago when he was back in Spain.

When Columbus came back from his trip to the Americas, many people praised him. He was made an admiral. That means he was a leader. People said what a great thing he had done. But not everyone 
liked him. Some were jealous of all the attention he got.

One day Columbus was at a party that a Spanish gentleman gave in his honor. People were saying, “What a great discovery you havemade.” Several persons were present who were jealous of the great 
admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable.

``You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas,'' they said, ``but what of that? We do not see why there should be so much said about it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast 
along the islands on the other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest thing in the world.''

Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the company: ``Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?''

One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had gone entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not be done.

Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble in making it stand upright.

``Gentlemen,'' said he, ``what is easier than to do this which you said was impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!'' 
 
     
     
 
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Explorer | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q1 The author in our story says "This is a story about Columbus. He was an explorer." What does the word "explorer" mean in this sentence?
A. a person who explores an unfamiliar area, an adventurer *
B. a person who is extremely reckless
C. a person with a religion other than Christianity
D. a person with great pride in self
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "explorer" correctly?
A. The man was an excellent explorer, he always provided his family with food.
B. From this point the explorer strictly followed the map he had been given. *
C. The explorer was incredibly curious as it pawed at the dirt.
D. She was quite the clown. She loved to explore and get a good laugh from everyone.
Word/Phrase: praised | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The author in our story says "When Columbus came back from his trip to the Americas, many people praised him." What does the word "praised" mean in this sentence?
A. to worship
B. to ridicule
C. to express respect and gratitude *
D. to feel passionately about
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "praised" correctly?
A. The new vacuum is incredible. It praised the carpet so thoroughly.
B. The doctor was praised nationally for his breakthrough in cancer research. *
C. The house we are selling was praised for $79,000.
D. He misbehaves often and is always praised for it.
Word/Phrase: conceited | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q3 The author in our story says "They were proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable." What does the word "conceited" mean in this sentence?
A. exceptionally happy
B. overly worrisome
C. excessively proud *
D. physically uncomfortable
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "conceited" correctly?
A. The gentleman was both helpful and conceited.
B. The performance was a success, everyone was perfectly conceited.
C. He was such a friendly fellow. Always conceited and curious about the world around him.
D. From all accounts he was a man of very disagreeable character, conceited and quarrelsome. *
Word/Phrase: discovery | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4 The author in our story says "“What a great discovery you have made.” What does the word "discovery" mean in this sentence?
A. to find something or someone in the course of a search *
B. to study thoroughly
C. of or relating to the planet
D. a religious conviction
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "discovery" correctly?
A. The discovery malfunctioning greatly upset the crew members.
B. She was incredibly upset when she left. I think she wanted to discovery.
C. After receiving help from a math tutor, Jason was exceptional at discovery.
D. The discovery of a second room in the attic had provided more hours of entertainment. *
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (30 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
  Topic Title Replies
Message Why were others trying to make Columbus feel uncomfortable?
The author of our story says "Several persons were present who were jealous of the great admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable." Explain why the gentlemen present desired to make the explorer uncomfortable. 
Sent on: Sep 19, 2015 by: Jessica Brewer		 0
Message What did the men mean by "strange lands beyond the seas"?
The gentlemen in our story ask say to Columbus, "You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas..." Explain what they mean by the phrase "strange lands beyond the sea"?
Sent on: Sep 19, 2015 by: Jessica Brewer		 0
Message Why were some jealous of the attention Columbus received?
The author of our story says "People said what a great thing he had done. But not everyone liked him. Some were jealous of all the attention he got." Besides receiving attention, describe other reasons people may not have liked him. Use complete sentences. 
Sent on: Sep 19, 2015 by: Jessica Brewer		 0
Message What does Columbus mean when he says anyone can do something after he is shown?
In our story, Columbus says, "It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it -- AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!'' Explain what Columbus means by this statement. 
Sent on: Sep 19, 2015 by: Jessica Brewer		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: The author of our story informs us that this story is "about what might have happened long ago when [Columbus] was back in Spain." You are to write and post here 250 words explaining the author's purpose in creating this work. 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a,
 
     

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