Curated OER
Mapping Perceptions
Students create and read maps. In this map skills lesson, students draw a map of their neighborhood, then use skills acquired during map-making to interpret a classmates map and a map of the Ming Dynasty.
Curated OER
King Tutankhamun: Was It Murder?
Students complete a WebQuest in which they research ancient Egypt and King Tutankhamun. They determine the difference between historical fact and interpretation before using their research to develop an essay or PowerPoint.
Curated OER
What Death Brings to Life - English Component
Learners are introduced to the characteristics of ancient Indian, Chinese and Aztec cultures. They consider what was valued by these cultures and compare the cultures' values to their own. They write an essay on their reflections.
Curated OER
Mesopotamia
Sixth graders describe the geography of Mesopotamia, explain the characteristics of Sumerian city-states, and identify the cultural practices of the ancient Sumerians. They then explain how empires formed in Mesopotamia.
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Dinosaur Bones (Barner)
Dig into some prehistoric vocabulary in Bob Barner's informative book Dinosaur Bones. This works best if you introduce the primitive words before reading the story. These are the focus terms in the text: ancient, climate, extinct,...
Curated OER
Trekking to Timbuktu: Restoring the Past
Students investigate the environmental factors that threaten Timbuktu. Students investigate what measures are being taken to restore their mosques, and the condition of their ancient manuscripts. Students discover information about the...
Curated OER
Let's Move It!
Students create a simple machine that includes a cart and lever system that could have been used to build the ancient pyramids. In this simple machine lesson, students learn about the wheel and the axle as simple machines that help...
Discovery Education
By the Foot: The History of Measurement
When is a foot not a foot? When you use the length of your own foot to measure distances, of course. To underscore the importance of standardized units of measurement, middle schoolers engage in a series of activities that ask them to...
Curated OER
Putting Back the Pieces
Seventh graders become museum conservators and undertake the hypothetical restoration of an ancient American work of art. Groups design a plan for reconstructing the work of art, outlining the steps they need to take and the materials...
Curated OER
Role of Masks in African Cultures
Students explore ancient tradition and craft of mask making, examine role or function of masks in African culture, create instruments, and participate in class projects.
Curated OER
Monumental Mysteries
Students investigate the Internet's role in preserving ancient monuments. They create an Internet scavenger hunt, a collection of Web sites and related questions about an ancient monument and how it reflects its culture.
Curated OER
The Great Lighthouse at Alexandria
Students read and research about Alexandria's Great Lighthouse. In this Greek architecture lesson, students create a timeline of events in Alexandria, and design a lighthouse. Students research lighthouses online and write a report.
Curated OER
Shapes and Shelters
Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of Ancient Egyptian culture and design meaningful objects. They are grouped in pairs and instructed to choose someone that they admire, either living or...
Curated OER
Seven Wonders of the World: The Colossus of Rhodes
Students discover one of the worlds wonders. In this world history lesson, students read about the sculpture of the Colossus of Rhodes. Students use the Internet to research multiple "wonders" including the Colossus of Rhodes, then they...
Curated OER
Seven Wonders of the World: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Learners discover the Hanging Gardens through archaeology. In this Near Eastern history lesson, students read the book, Ancient Iraq:Archaeology Unlocks the Secrets of Iraq's Past, by Beth Gruber, then create their own hanging garden.
Curated OER
Wheat: Ancient and Ageless
Sixth graders investigate the role of wheat in society. In this Social Studies lesson, 6th graders explore wheat production from ancient civilizations to modern times. Students describe wheat's importance in shaping culture.
Curated OER
Technology and Medicine
Students watch a video and continue with research of Ancient Rome and the quest for knowledge. They form expert groups to study one aspect of life in Ancient Rome and share with the rest of the class.
Curated OER
Protecting the Past: Give a Hoot, Don't Loot!
Students, in small groups, simulate an ancient civilization and the art they created, another group represents vandals, and the final group represents archaeologists who try to figure out what life was like for the "ancient peoples". ...
Curated OER
The Ancient Times
Students create a newspaper sharing stories of Cleopatra before her death. They use the internet to research information about her and the time in which she lived. They share their newspaper articles with others.
Curated OER
Ancient Americas
Seventh graders compare artifacts used by archaeologists to theorize the first inhabitants of the Americas migrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge.
Curated OER
Egyptian Diary Project
Seventh graders complete a journal activity in conjunction with a study of ancient Egypt. In this history and writing lesson plan, 7th graders write a journal entry based on the life of an ancient Egyptian pharoah they create.
Curated OER
Roman Gods and Goddesses
Students discuss Roman gods and goddess and give reasons the religion would be difficult to follow. In this Roman gods and goddesses lesson, students read the Legend of Romulus and Remus and complete a chart on all of the gods and...
Curated OER
Enduring Influence: Rome, Greece, and Byzantium
Students explore ancient cultures. In this ancient history lesson, students view programs that depict the ancient Roman, Greek, and Byzantine cultures. Students consider how archaeologists, geologists, and scientists have uncovered the...
Curated OER
Draw Like an Egyptian
Students craft their own Egyptian art. In this ancient Egyptian art instructional activity, students explore Egyptian art and create their own work following the 4 guidelines presented in the instructional activity.