Center Focus

Political Debate about Celebration of Columbus Day

  1. This is an excellent activity for high school students. It could be done with younger students on more general basis.
  2. Your students will need to be familiar with some of the arguments regarding Columbus' "discovery" of America. They will need to do research as necessary to develop an opinion and counter arguments.
  3. At the center they will work with one other student in a "Firing Line"-style debate where they will argue a European vs. Latino or Native American viewpoint of the coming of Columbus. They may both have the same opinion, but one will need to argue each side. They can work together to develop the arguments.
  4. After students have had time to develop both sides of the argument in their center, randomly call 2 students to debate in front of the class. Make sure to give everyone a chance.