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Early Humans
Learning About the Past
1.1 Experiencing the Challenge of Interpreting the Past
Create personal history collages and then act as historians to interpret events from the past.
1.2 Understanding Our Place in Human History
Sequence human history on a 12-month calendar and explore the concepts of timelines and chronology.
1.3 Investigating the Past: Assembling an Archeological Team
Appoint six archeological specialists to investigate three sites: Laetoli, Çatal Höyük, and Ur.
The Paleolithic Period: The Earliest Humans
2.1 Creating Puppet Shows of Origin Stories
Design and present puppet shows to demonstrate how various cultures explain human origins.
2.2 What Do We Know About Human Ancestors?
Assemble skulls of five hominids and arrange them on a spectrum of increasing capability and skill.
2.3 Understanding Why Paleolithic Art Was Created
Create original artwork reflecting the Paleolithic period and write an accompanying artist’s statement.
The Neolithic Period: The Development of Agricultural Societies
3.1 From Paleolithic to Neolithic: Identifying Changes in Daily Life
Explore how the development of agriculture affected daily life during the Neolithic period.
3.2 Neolithic Social Organization: Hierarchical or Egalitarian?
Juggle balls alone and then in concert with others to learn about two models of social organization.
The Emergence of Civilization at Sumer
4.1 Discovering How Sumerian City-States Emerged
Respond to four ancient Mesopotamia problems to explain the shift away from Neolithic farming villages.
4.2 Sumerian Achievements: Reflections of Civilization
Research 16 Sumerian achievements and discuss how Sumer exhibits the characteristics of civilization.
4.3 Tracing the Development of Cuneiform
Undergo the difficulty of communicating with written symbols to understand the four stages of cuneiform.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating a Character Collage of Early Human Achievements
Prepare a character collage showing how the achievements of early humans have affected modern life.
Ancient Egypt and the Near East
Overview of Ancient Egypt and the Near East
1.1 Mapping Physiographic Features of Egypt and the Near East
Map the major physiographic features of the region: the Nile, the Libyan Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Sinai Peninsula.
1.2 Understanding Geography’s Effect on Settlement in Three Regions
Investigate three regions in Egypt and the Near East and predict which types of civilizations developed in each area.
Mesopotamia: Land of Conflict
2.1 Examining the Code of Hammurabi
Decipher Hammurabi’s Code to learn the judicial concept of lex talionis (“an eye for an eye”).
2.2 Applying the Code of Hammurabi to Babylonian Court Cases
Organize six historical periods of Mesopotamian empires along a civilization timeline.
Ancient Egypt and Kush
3.1 A Riverboat Tour of Ancient Egyptian Monuments
Take a "riverboat tour" to learn about the accomplishments of six pharaohs, and then write a travel brochure.
3.2 Creating Illustrated Journals About Ancient Egyptian Daily Life
Assume the role of spies and create illustrated journals describing Egyptian society.
3.3 Trading Goods to Understand the Power of Kush
Assume the role of traders from Kush, Egypt, and Central Africa and trade tokens representing goods from each region.
The Ancient Israelites: In the Land of Canaan
4.1 Origins of Judaism: The History of the Ancient Israelites
Discuss a series of images depicting key events in the history of the ancient Israelites.
4.2 Responding to Challenges Faced by the Ancient Israelites
Respond to three key challenges faced by the ancient Israelites to understand the survival of Judaism.
Ancient Egypt and Kush
5.1 Connecting Past to Present
Sounds of the Past: Identify ancient instruments from the Near East and match them with their modern equivalents.
5.2 The Modern Synagogue: A Reflection of Jewish Traditions
Learn 16 elements of a synagogue to understand how they reflect traditions of the ancient Israelites.
Culminating Project
6.1 Creating a Mobile to Compare Ancient Civilizations
Create a mobile that shows the similarities and differences of the civilizations of ancient Egypt and the Near East.
Ancient India
The Beginnings of Indian Civilization
1.1 Predicting Areas of Early Settlement in India
Map physiographic features of the Indian subcontinent
to predict the best location for settlement.
1.2 Unlocking the Secrets of Mohenjo-Daro
Assume the role of archeologists to explore the site of the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro.
The Roots of Two Belief Systems: Hinduism and Buddhism
2.1 Creating a Mandala of Hindu Beliefs
Design a mandala that symbolizes the five basic Hindu beliefs.
2.2 Understanding Hindu Beliefs in the Ramayana
Compose an illustrated poem that summarizes the events portrayed in the classic Indian epic.
2.3 Discovering the Buddha’s Path to Enlightenment
Discuss a series of images depicting key events in the life of the Buddha.
The Struggle for Unification
3.1 Interpreting Ashoka’s Edicts
Create a billboard of the edicts to show how Ashoka’s leadership promoted unity in India.
Ancient China
Overview of Ancient China
1.1 Creating Annotated Relief Maps of Ancient China
Explore how geographic factors affected human settlement and culture in ancient times.
1.2 Creating Imperial Robes About China’s Legendary Emperors
Examine stories about four legendary emperors and then decorate imperial robes to reflect the rulers.
The Development of Early Chinese Civilization
2.1 Excavating a Shang Tomb
Assume the role of archeologists to excavate tomb artifacts from the Shang society.
2.2 Learning About Three Ways of Thought: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism
Apply ancient philosophies to modern situations and compare the classroom experience to history.
The First Chinese Empires
3.1 Examining the Reign of Qin Shi Huang Di
Prepare interactive presentations to teach classmates about key events in the reign of Qin Shi Huang Di.
3.2 Creating Minidramas About Daily Life in the Han Dynasty
Dramatize the lives of eight Han social groups, such as nobles, officials, and peasants.
3.3 The Silk Road: Examining Foreign Influences on Chinese Culture
Examine the influence of cultural artifacts introduced to China via the Silk Road.
Connecting Past to Present: Legacies of Ancient China
4.1 Encountering Ancient Traditions in Modern Chinese Family Life
Assume the role of travelers to China to learn about the practices of modern Chinese families.
4.2 Experiencing Tai Chi Movements
Perform tai chi and discuss how the ancient form of Chinese exercises reflects principles of Daoism.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating an Illustrated Accordion Book
About Ancient China Design an accordion book that explains factors that promoted and discouraged unity in ancient China.
Ancient Greece
Early Civilizations in the Aegean
1.1 Understanding Geography’s Effect on Settlement in Ancient Greece
Choose sites to settle in a simulated landscape of ancient Greece to determine geography’s affect on settlement and culture.
1.2 Crete and Mycenae: Identifying the Roots of Greek Civilization
Match and analyze Minoan and Mycenaean artifacts to explore the cultural influences of the Bronze Age.
1.3 Creating Dramatic Presentations of The Odyssey
Dramatize events from The Odyssey to explore the values of the early Greeks.
1.4 Tracing the Development of Democracy
Program a radio using the principles of four forms of government: monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy.
Greece During the Classical Period
2.1 Understanding the Persian Wars Through Visual Metaphors
Create five visual metaphors of the Persian Wars by annotating drawings of basketball games.
2.2 Touring Athens During the Golden Age
Take a “walking tour” of Athens to explore 10 aspects of daily life and create a scrapbook of the journey.
2.3 Greek Against Greek: Athens vs. Sparta
Experience how the rivalry between two cultures led to the Peloponnesian War.
The Spread of Greek Culture
3.1 Alexander the Great: Hero or Villain?
Create act-it-outs from multiple perspectives to explain the military career of Alexander the Great.
3.2 Creating Human Statues to Honor Significant Figuresin Ancient Greece
“Sculpt” human statues to represent the achievements of eight significant ancient Greek figures.
Connecting Past to Present: Legacies of Ancient Greece
4.1 Recognizing Ancient Greek Achievements in the Modern World
Investigate ancient Greek advancements in architecture, mathematics, and physics.
4.2 Discovering References to Greek Mythology in Popular Expressions
Match popular modern-day expressions with ancient Greek myths and artwork.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating a Dramatic Reading to Commemorate Ancient Greece
Present an original dramatic reading on the important aspects in the history of ancient Greece.
Ancient Rome
The Development of the Roman Republic
1.1 Discovering Etruscan and Greek Influences on Roman Civilization
Examine aspects of Etruscan and Greek culture to discover their influences on ancient Roman civilization.
1.2 Patricians and Plebeians: Experiencing a Struggle for Power
Assume the roles of patricians and plebeians to trace the rise of democracy in the Roman Republic.
1.3 Predicting the Outcomes of the Punic Wars Between Romeand Carthage
Explore five major events of the Punic Wars and discuss how victories led to dominant power.
1.4 Debating Whether Military Expansion Helped or Hurt Rome
Bring to life eight Roman historical figures and debate the topic of military expansion.
Life During the Roman Empire
2.1 Creating Columns to Evaluate Roman Emperors
Design columns for four notable Roman emperors to evaluate how well they ruled ancient Rome.
2.2 Writing a Travel Guide About Daily Life in Ancient Rome
Create an illustrated travel guide to help other "time travelers” prepare for a trip to ancient Rome.
The Spread of Christianity
3.1 The Beginnings of Christianity
Match biblical passages to period artwork to explore the rise of Christianity.
3.2 Comparing Early Christian and Ancient Roman Beliefs
Complete a dialogue between a Roman and a Christian to illustrate conflicting religious beliefs.
Connecting Past to Present: Legacies of Ancient Rome
4.1 Discovering the Influence of Latin on Modern English
Trace the Latin roots of modern English words and discuss the influence of ancient Roman language.
4.2 Recognizing Roman Engineering Achievements in the Modern World
Investigate how Roman engineering has been incorporated into aspects of modern life.
Culminating Project
5.1 Creating a Mosaic About Ancient Rome
Design a mosaic of paper tiles to explain their knowledge of ancient Rome.