Following our studies of early Missouri Native American tribes and our exploration of Missouri’s early history, including the influence of European explorers, we have been learning about Christopher Columbus. Recently, we examined the impact of European explorers on Native American communities and vice versa. To illustrate differing perspectives, we looked at an image that can be interpreted as either a rabbit or a duck, emphasizing that history can be viewed through multiple lenses.
Students then listened to a read-aloud story about the arrival of European explorers in the Americas, contrasting this with a narrative from a Native American perspective. We discussed the complexity of this historical account, acknowledging that parts of it are quite sad.
The students showed great curiosity about the topic, asking insightful questions. As a follow-up, they will have the opportunity to write a journal entry from the perspective of either a European explorer or a Native American.
