Kristin Zaruba's Ancient World History
Units of Study
The Units of Study include: Archaeology, Early Humans, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Medieval Europe
Ambulatory vocabulary is used with images to enhance writing and conceptual understanding.
#1
Archaeology and Early Humans
These units are combined with an Archaeological Dig Research Project, including a student created "documentary", and a Burial Site Research Project, that incorporates fossils and artifacts to create an excavation site of early humans.
The pPersian Chart is introduced during this unit.
Hammurabi's first written set of laws.
Concept that those that own resources gain political power.
The pPersian Chart is introduced during this unit.
#2
Mesopotamia
From Gilgamesh, Babylon, the Hebrews, and Phoenicians, students will learn the ancient cultures of the Middle East.
In this unit, students will receive an interactive unit sheet with objectives, examples, and directions for their assignments.
Students are also introduced to the pPERSIAN chart as a note taking system and the Eight Themes of Civilization
Representing small factory, industry, and farm life, these wooden carvings were sealed in tombs. Images taken from the British Museum.
Students design their own social hierarchy pyramid in Google Draw, researching several before finalizing their own.
This coffin is made of wood, intricately carved and painted.
Representing small factory, industry, and farm life, these wooden carvings were sealed in tombs. Images taken from the British Museum.
#3
Ancient Egypt
The Pharaohs and architecture of ancient Egypt have captured the world's imagination.
In this unit, students study social systems and how they are represented through burial rituals, as well as maps of the Nile and how trade systems are navigated with a map building project.
With a digital storytelling format of their choosing, small groups research and present a particular theme of civilization using one of the famous monuments of Egypt to represent and explain it.
A student sketched this mask to represent her city-state.
Students type notes on a pPersian chart, separating them by the themes of civilization. Links and maps are then added for extra learning.
One of the Seventh Grade students brought in a hand-sewn costume she made.
A student sketched this mask to represent her city-state.
#4
Ancient Greece
In the study of the ancient Greek city-states, all of the ancient civiliaztions are interwoven, as is the future Macedonian state and the rise and fall of the Persians.
Students are divided into "city-states" and civilizations, competing against each other for points to ultimately win a pizza party which includes the introduction of hummus, various Greek olives, and pita.
Amazingly and quite on their own, students create and complete projects for these points, including a plethora of food!
This unit focuses on diplomacy, alliances, treaties and forms of governments, in its connection to the themes of civilization.