Webeach year, christopher columbus seems to be resurrected and spark the never ending debate: Greatest explorer or indigenous destroyer? Webkerri traditionally followed her guided research into columbus’s exploits with a “tug of war” activity that simply asked students to take a stand on one of two sides:. Webjohn brown, was he a hero or a villain? In this lesson, students will employ their detective skills to examine the life, ideals, and actions of john brown, one of history's most.