Fact or Opinion – Columbus

Unit 3: Chapter 4 - The Great Encounter

Bell ActivityReview

for your new counties test.

Where should your backpack be?

This is a no gum class. Please dispose of it properly!

Agenda

Take the Utah Counties Quiz #3 on the ipad.Finish the Chapter 3 test.Finish the Chapter 3 essay.Finish the Goshute video guide short essays and

turn it in.Finish any incomplete work.

If everything else is finished, read a book.

All of this needs to be finished in 20 minutes.

Bell ActivityTake out the paper titled “Christopher

Columbus – Fact or Opinion” from last FridayOpen the yellow folders to the blue paper

called “Columbus the Man” and read it in the first 6 minutes of class.

Think about what ‘claim’ the author is making about Columbus. What evidence (data, facts) does he use to support his claim?

Where should your backpack be?

This is a no gum class. Please dispose of it properly!

Bell ActivityPick up the new study guide. Write your name

on it.On a blank piece of lined paper write your name,

hour, and today’s date.Title it “Christopher Columbus – Fact or Opinion” Then write a 3-5 sentence response to the

following prompt:Who was Christopher Columbus?  What did he do?

Why is he considered an important historical figure?  What do you think of him? (Do you think he is a good guy? Bad guy?)

Where should your backpack be?

This is a no gum class. Please dispose of it properly!

What are we going to learn?

History Objective – We will identify the difference between facts and opinions then give our own opinions.

Behavior Objective – Courtesy and Respect: We will be respectful of each other’s opinions.

Language Objective – We will identify and discuss different opinions about Christopher Columbus.

Columbus,Hero or Villain?

In 1492, Columbus makes his first voyage, finding the Americas.

Today, some people question whether Columbus Day should be a holiday we celebrate or not.

To understand why, we will read two selections about Columbus.

Argument Papers

Claim: a statement or position (an opinion based on research and evidence); WHAT you want your reader to believe; often is found in the topic sentence or 1st paragraph

Data: evidence,  support, proof; (facts that can be proven with documents or artifacts)WHY the reader should believe your claim; usually found in the supportive sentences

Sources of Remembered History A primary

source is an original document that has to do with an event or subject of inquiry in history. It is a firsthand or eyewitness account of an event. Examples

DiaryPicturesMapsAnd so on…

Sources of Remembered History

A secondary source is any document that describes an event, person, place, or thing that was not created at the same time that it describes. Examples

Biography (What about an autobiography?)

History textbookDocumentary on

the History Channel

And so on…

Columbus ReadingDraw a line down the center of your

paper. On the left write:

Reading #1(blue) What is the claim (main

idea)? What are three facts the

author of this document wants you to know about Columbus? (data)

1.2.3.

On the right write: Reading #2 (green)

What is the claim (main idea)?

What are three facts the author of this document wants you to know about Columbus? (data)

1.2.3.

Columbus ReadingDraw a line down the center of your

paper.Reading #1(blue) What is the claim?

Data:1.

2.

3.

Reading #2(green): What is the claim?

Data:1.

2.

3.

Which of these papers is correct?

One of these essays gives a positive opinion about Columbus? What leads you to that conclusion? (What kinds of

words and evidence does the author use to describe Columbus and his actions?)

One of these essays gives a negative opinion about Columbus? What leads you to that conclusion? (What kinds of

words and evidence does the author use to describe Columbus and his actions?)

So which paper should we believe?

Which of these papers is correct?

So which paper should we believe?

Remember bias...

What do you think now?

Turn your paper over.Write a short paragraph (3-5

sentences) expressing your opinion about this topic:Should we celebrate Columbus Day at

Mount Logan?  Why or why not? Start with a claim about ColumbusList 2-3 data to support your argument. (You

can include information from the readings or your own personal knowledge)

Fact or Opinion

Let’s get a little more practice.

One the page titled “Fact or Opinion” follow the instructions to complete the activity.

Testimony of Witnesses

People’s memories are filled with biases: self-righteousness, pride, vanity, spinning tales, confusion and outright lies.