Christopher Columbus Lapbook for Elementary Students

Use this Christopher Columbus lapbook with over ten activities and mini booklets to learn the true story about his life and journeys to America.

Not sure what a lapbook is? Find out here. 

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Library List for Your Columbus Lapbook

Columbus by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

Did You Know? The d’Aulaires traveled to Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean in order to research original source documents so they could write the most historically accurate book about Columbus.

Use these primary source maps to help with your research

For additional resources, including living books, about Columbus, check out the list on the Christopher Columbus Notebooking Pages.

Activities in the Columbus Lapbook

Early Life Lift the Flap Book – Answer the questions about Columbus’ birth and early life and use the map to locate where he was born.

Flat vs. Round World Meet in the Middle Book – Write about the various opinions held during Columbus’ youth concerning the shape of the world.

First Faraway Voyage Matchbook – Describe Columbus’ first voyage outside of the Mediterranean Sea.

Portugal Layered Book – Write about Columbus’ time in Portugal in this layered book.

Leif Ericson Notebooking Page – Write a mini report about Leif Ericson’s explorations and the impact they had on Christopher Columbus. You can staple this to the back of your lapbook.

Finding a Patron Fan Fold – Answer the questions in this fan-fold book about Columbus’ attempts to find someone to fund his journey west.

The Monks Oval Book – Inside this oval book, write about Columbus’ time with the monks.

Preparing for Departure Tri-Fold Flap Book – Answer the questions about Christopher Columbus’ preparations for his journey west.

The Journey & The Landing Booklets – Inside the booklet, write about the journey across the Atlantic Ocean and their landing on the first island.

Return Voyage Cross Fold Book – Answer the questions regarding what happened during their stops as well as the return voyage.

Accolades for Columbus Book – Describe Columbus’ treatment once he reached Spain.

Second Trip Quilt Book – Write about Columbus’ second trip west.

Columbus Notebooking Page – Write a mini report covering Columbus’ third trip west to the end of his life. You can staple this to the back of your lapbook.

If this is your first time completing a lapbook, read this first to learn how to fold your folders to create the lapbook base.

Download your copy of the Christopher Columbus LAPBOOK from the HHO Shop

More Christopher Columbus Resources