Activity Overview
In this activity, students will be able to represent the numerous outcomes of the Columbian Exchange on both North America and Europe. This activity will require students to research the goods, ideas, people, diseases, and animals that were exchanged between continents during the Age of Exploration. By using a T-Chart, students will compare the Exchange from the perspectives of both continents, and define the outcome of the exchanges, e.g. increased caloric intake, increased Native American mortality rates, advancement in agricultural methods.
Some examples of things students can examine are
- Turkeys
- Corn
- Tobacco
- Tomatoes
- Horses
- Coffee
- Sheep
- Infectious Disease
Extended Activity
Students should use the Frayer Model storyboard to research and argue the four most significant aspects of the Columbian Exchange. They should include both a description of the good, idea, disease, or food, and a summary of the impact it had.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart that examines the outcomes of the Columbian Exchange on both North America and Europe.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, identify the goods, ideas, people, diseases, and or animals transferred from the New World to the Old World.
- In the description box, describe the outcome or impact of that exchange.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- In the other column, do the same for things transferred from the Old World to the New World.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will be able to represent the numerous outcomes of the Columbian Exchange on both North America and Europe. This activity will require students to research the goods, ideas, people, diseases, and animals that were exchanged between continents during the Age of Exploration. By using a T-Chart, students will compare the Exchange from the perspectives of both continents, and define the outcome of the exchanges, e.g. increased caloric intake, increased Native American mortality rates, advancement in agricultural methods.
Some examples of things students can examine are
- Turkeys
- Corn
- Tobacco
- Tomatoes
- Horses
- Coffee
- Sheep
- Infectious Disease
Extended Activity
Students should use the Frayer Model storyboard to research and argue the four most significant aspects of the Columbian Exchange. They should include both a description of the good, idea, disease, or food, and a summary of the impact it had.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T Chart that examines the outcomes of the Columbian Exchange on both North America and Europe.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, identify the goods, ideas, people, diseases, and or animals transferred from the New World to the Old World.
- In the description box, describe the outcome or impact of that exchange.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- In the other column, do the same for things transferred from the Old World to the New World.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Impacts of the Columbian Exchange
Integrate primary sources to deepen understanding of the Columbian Exchange
Primary sources like explorers’ journals, indigenous accounts, or historical artwork help students visualize and analyze real perspectives from the Age of Exploration. Incorporating these resources encourages critical thinking and makes history more engaging and authentic.
Select age-appropriate primary sources for your classroom
Choose excerpts, images, or artifacts that align with your students’ reading levels and background knowledge. Preview material to ensure it’s suitable for grades 2–8, and pick sources that clearly show the effects of the Columbian Exchange on different groups.
Guide students in analyzing primary sources with focused questions
Ask students to observe, infer, and question: What do they see? Who created this source? What impact is shown? Prompt discussion about different perspectives and help students connect these sources to outcomes of the Columbian Exchange.
Incorporate findings from primary sources into the T-Chart activity
Encourage students to cite or illustrate what they learned from primary sources in the T-Chart descriptions. This makes their comparisons more evidence-based and helps them understand the real-world impact of the Columbian Exchange.
Facilitate a classroom discussion or reflection on different perspectives
Let students share their T-Charts and discoveries, highlighting how different groups experienced the Exchange. Encourage empathy and critical thinking by comparing views from both the New World and the Old World.
Frequently Asked Questions about Impacts of the Columbian Exchange
What was the Columbian Exchange and why is it important for students to learn about?
The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, people, culture, ideas, and diseases between the Americas and Europe after 1492. Learning about it helps students understand how global interactions shaped modern societies, agriculture, and populations.
How can I teach the impacts of the Columbian Exchange using a T-Chart?
To teach the impacts of the Columbian Exchange with a T-Chart, create two columns: one for goods, animals, and ideas moving from the New World to the Old World, and one for the opposite. Have students list exchanges in each column and summarize their outcomes, such as changes in diets or population effects.
What are some examples of items exchanged during the Columbian Exchange?
Examples include turkeys, corn, tobacco, and tomatoes going to Europe, and horses, sheep, coffee, and infectious diseases coming to the Americas. Each item had significant impacts on diets, economies, and societies.
What are the most significant positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange?
Positive impacts include increased caloric intake and improved agriculture. Negative impacts involved the spread of diseases like smallpox, leading to high mortality among Native Americans. Both sides experienced lasting cultural and economic changes.
How can students use the Frayer Model to analyze aspects of the Columbian Exchange?
Students can use the Frayer Model to research and argue the significance of goods, diseases, or ideas by describing them and summarizing their impacts. This helps deepen understanding by connecting definitions to real-world outcomes.
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