A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Columbian Exchanges Palomar College: "Columbian Exchanges" This well-organized overview of five of the most significant Columbian exchanges (defined and described by an anthropologist of Palomar College) addresses the "Essential Understandings" component of VUS.2 which refers to "the worldwide commercial expansion of agricultural products [that] were exchanged between the Americas and Europe." The Columbian Exchange was both biological and cultural. The exchanges mentioned in this resource have become increasingly significant as United States history becomes more commonly taught within a global perspective. Examining the exchanges and significance of these specific items makes it easier for students to frame their perspective of our nation's history in a less parochial fashion. Students could list and describe items they would include in a "Columbian Exchange," a term that should first be explained and discussed. The teacher could then share the list created by scholars, and students could compare and contrast the two lists. Students in groups or individually could research the impact of any one of the five "Columbian Exchange" items on this list, then could share their findings with the class in a brief presentation. Students could work with groups to identify the "6th most important item" of Columbian Exchange, and could create a visual aid and short report like those already created in this resource.

Columbian Exchanges
Palomar College: Columbian Exchanges

Description: This well-organized overview of five of the most significant Columbian exchanges (defined and described by an anthropologist of Palomar College) addresses the "Essential Understandings" component of VUS.2 which refers to "the worldwide commercial expansion of agricultural products [that] were exchanged between the Americas and Europe." The Columbian Exchange was both biological and cultural. The exchanges mentioned in this resource have become increasingly significant as United States history becomes more commonly taught within a global perspective. Examining the exchanges and significance of these specific items makes it easier for students to frame their perspective of our nation's history in a less parochial fashion.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

Students could list and describe items they would include in a "Columbian Exchange," a term that should first be explained and discussed. The teacher could then share the list created by scholars, and students could compare and contrast the two lists.

Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Students in groups or individually could research the impact of any one of the five "Columbian Exchange" items on this list, then could share their findings with the class in a brief presentation.
Students could work with groups to identify the "6th most important item" of Columbian Exchange, and could create a visual aid and short report like those already created in this resource.