Hands-on History: Ancient Civilizations Activities – Teacher Resource Provides Fun Games and Simulations that Support Hands-On Learning (Social Studies Classroom Resource)
Hands-On History! Series
on Goodreads (27)
What’s inside...
Making learning fun and interactive builds excitement for your social studies students. This book includes game-formatted activities for the study of Ancient Civilizations such as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. These hands-on activities are aligned to state and national standards and support college and career readiness skills. The hands-on lessons foster engagement, teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. In addition to history-based lessons, this resource includes grading rubrics and ideas for assessment. The games in Hands-on History Activities will help you take an active approach to teaching while inspiring your students to make their own explorations of history. About Shell Education: Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What ancient civilization fascinated you the most and why?
Can you think of any inventions from these civilizations that we still use today?
How do you think people in ancient times communicated and navigated their world without modern technology?
If you could meet one historical figure from any of these civilizations, who would it be and what would you ask them?
What were some of the challenges people faced in ancient civilizations and how did they overcome them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by showing genuine interest in your child's favorite parts of the book. Ask them to explain what they learned about a specific civilization and its unique attributes. Encourage them to draw parallels between ancient times and the modern world, enhancing their understanding and retention. Use props, such as maps or replica artifacts, to make the discussion more interactive and engaging. Lastly, express enthusiasm about their discoveries and insights, inspiring them to continue learning about history with curiosity and excitement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Through various group activities and simulations within the book, children learn the importance of working together to achieve common goals, mirroring the cooperative societies of ancient civilizations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills to group projects in school or during team sports, learning to value each member's contribution and working cooperatively towards a shared objective.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and decision making
Explanation: The book encourages children to engage in problem-solving scenarios that were faced by ancient civilizations, promoting critical thinking skills.
Real-World Application: This helps children in real-life situations where they need to analyze information, weigh options, and make informed decisions, whether in academic settings or in everyday choices.
Example Lesson: Cultural awareness and appreciation
Explanation: By exploring the diverse cultures of ancient civilizations, children learn to appreciate the complexities of different societies and gain a broader worldview.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps foster a sense of respect and understanding for diverse cultures they encounter in their community and in global interactions, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Historical knowledge and context
Explanation: Activities in the book provide factual information about various ancient civilizations, helping children understand the historical context and developments of these societies.
Real-World Application: Children can utilize this knowledge in academic settings like school presentations or history classes, and gain a deeper understanding of how past events shape the present world.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The hands-on activities encourage children to use their creativity to recreate historical scenarios or solve age-old problems innovatively.
Real-World Application: This stimulates creative thinking which can be applied in creative writing, arts, and other fields requiring innovative and original thinking.