Is Celebrating Columbus Day Still Appropriate in Your Middle School Social Studies Classroom?
Every October, social studies teachers across the country face the same question: Should I still teach about Columbus Day? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no—it’s about how we teach it. And in middle school, the answer is a thoughtful yes, because students are finally ready to engage with the full picture of Christopher Columbus's legacy.
Elementary Lessons vs. Middle School Reality
In elementary school, Columbus is often presented as a daring explorer who “discovered” America. The narrative is simplified for younger minds. But middle school students are older, more mature, and capable of critical thinking. They deserve a more nuanced and historically accurate understanding of what Columbus’s arrival meant—for Europeans and for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
By middle school, we are no longer just teaching “what happened,” but we’re helping students understand why it matters. Columbus’s voyages sparked an age of exploration, but also colonization, violence, exploitation, and systemic cultural erasure. That complexity shouldn’t be avoided—it should be explored responsibly.
Why Teaching Columbus Day Still Matters
It Gives Students Context:
Rather than erasing Columbus from the curriculum, we should use this opportunity to frame his voyages in the broader context of European imperialism and Indigenous resistance.It Teaches Critical Historical Thinking:
Students learn that history is not just about heroes and villains—it’s about perspective, impact, and legacy. They practice evaluating sources and comparing narratives, especially from Indigenous voices.It Sets the Stage for Future Learning:
Columbus's story connects directly to future topics like colonization, slavery, westward expansion, and civil rights. Giving students this foundation early allows them to see patterns and themes throughout American history.
How to Teach Columbus Day Thoughtfully
Start with Primary Sources: Use Columbus’s own journal entries and contrast them with Indigenous accounts.
Pose Essential Questions:
What makes someone a hero?
Who gets to write history?
What were the consequences of exploration?
Make Room for Debate and Reflection: Encourage respectful discussions about legacy and historical memory.
Connect to Modern Movements: Introduce Indigenous Peoples’ Day and how some communities are rethinking historical commemoration.
Final Thoughts
So yes, teaching about Columbus Day in middle school is still appropriate—but only when it’s done with accuracy, sensitivity, and depth. Our students deserve the whole story, and it’s our responsibility to prepare them for a future where they can think critically about the past.
📥 Want help planning your Columbus Day lesson? Download my free lesson planning template and subscribe to my mailing list for more content-rich resources for middle school social studies.