First Voyage of Columbus

Students read an informational passage describing Columbus’s first voyage aboard the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. The worksheet explains why Columbus believed he reached Asia, why he used the term “Indians,” and what actually happened when he arrived in the Bahamas. Multiple-choice questions check for understanding of ship names, misidentifications, and landing sites, while short-answer questions encourage deeper thinking about the voyage, crew experiences, and European reactions. This activity strengthens students’ historical analysis skills and understanding of early European exploration.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Social Studies – Exploration of the Americas

Reading – Identifying Key Details and Main Ideas

Historical Thinking – Evaluating Misconceptions and Cultural Interactions

Geography – Understanding Routes and Destinations of Exploration

This worksheet is part of our Columbus Day Worksheets collection.