A Year of Middle School Ancient History: Quarter 2 (Lesson & Project Based)
This is the second session of a Full Year Project Based Middle School Ancient History course. In this session, students will discover Ancient Africa and Ancient Greece through visual lectures and hands on project based learning.
Amal J.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(75)
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
average 19 mins per video8 weeks
of teacher support2 hrs 29 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. The projects can be viewed as homework and there are optional homework assignments every week that include a worksheet to check comprehension and Nearpod activities.Grading
If a family would like grades, all assignments would need to be turned in to me, as well as projects, and missed assignments would impact the grade. We can also be flexible if parents want to communicate about grading policy.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 8
Beginner Level
This is the second quarter of a year long Project Based Middle School Ancient History course. In this session, students will discover Ancient Africa and Ancient Greece through visual lectures & hands on project based learning. I combine both comprehensive lessons using slides, images, lecture, and attached videos, as well as hands on projects to deepen learning and bring the topic of focus to life. With each lesson, a hands on project will be provided along with a mini lesson. Both the visual lecture and the project will be included in one video lesson. (This equals two live classes) In addition, my weekly lessons usually involve 4 posts: 1. A visual recorded lecture that includes both the lecture and the project 2. A selection of short educational videos to deepen learning 3. An optional homework assignment that checks comprehension and solidifies learning and can be turned in for a grade or can be used to turn in to charter schools along with the project. 4. A Nearpod Activity (No subscription needed) Projects: There are many projects that will ask learners to create a model of a historic structure. I will allow students to choose their medium, and options can include air dry clay, wood or plastic blocks, cardboard, craft board, or recycled materials, as well as Minecraft (if parents allow). If learners would like to use plastic building blocks but don't have a large collection, they can download online building software, which is free and allows students to build with endless pieces. I will send a link to that upon enrollment. Projects are mostly carried out in Maker style, meaning I give the students the freedom to decide how they want to create their project rather than offering step by step instructions. I find students feel more confident and less stressed this way and don't feel defeated when their projects don't turn out exactly how they are "supposed" to. Plus, I enjoy offering students time to use their inventiveness and problem solving skills. Only a few projects will be more similar to art projects, meaning I will offer step by step instructions, but even then, students will have the freedom to use the instructions or figure out their own style. The intention is always immersion in the learning, rather than a perfect result.
Learning Goals
Students will:
* Develop their appreciation for history
* Be able to begin seeing patterns in history
* Due to the visual quality of the lecture and the review in the form of comprehension sheet, projects, and Nearpod activities, retain what they learned
* Through lectures, worksheets, and projects, develop enough of an understanding and familiarity with the subjects covered that they can converse with family and friends about them.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Ancient Africa
Students will be introduced to Ancient Africa through a visual lecture. Then we will focus in on the geography of Africa and the project will be to create a 3-D dough map of Africa. 18 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Ancient Kush
We will explore Ancient Kush and the many achievements of the people of Ancient Kush. Then we will focus in on Kushite pottery and the project will involve creating a piece of pottery inspired by the style of Ancient Kushite pottery. 17 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
The Land of Punt, Aksum, and Numidia
We will explore the Ancient Land of Punt, Aksum, and Numidia. Then we will take a look at the amazing Aksumite Obelisks and learners will create their own. If students want to extend their project, they will return to the link of Ancient African Rock Art and create Rock Art. 17 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Intro to Greek Civilization
Learners will be introduced to Greek Civilization and geography. We will then focus on the geography of Greece and the project will involve creating a 3-D dough map of Ancient Greece. 23 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Learning Needs
This course provides constant notes on slides that appear as I speak to help visual learners and students with attention issues or learning differences stay focused.
Supply List
printable maps from classroom play-dough in colors of blue, green, yellow/brown (map colors) toothpicks, paper, glue stick (labels for dough maps) air dry clay for many projects (might want both grey and terra cotta - crayola makes an inexpensive version) cardboard possibly, plastic or wood blocks or an online building program (if learner chooses to use that) mosaic pieces- either real mosaics, foam mosaics, or learners can even tear up construction paper to create small pieces
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching both World History and American History to Middle Schoolers and Elementary aged kids for about 6 years now. History is my passion and I have traveled the world, visiting many ancient and neolithic sites, studying and working with local historians, and writing. I have worked with archivists and read hundreds of first hand accounts of war, famine, and every day experiences of the old ways of life from baking bread to making soap. It has also been my ongoing education to voraciously read history books, both of ancient history, and most importantly, newly written historical commentaries that look at and analyze our previously written histories with an intention to decolonize the way we view history. I have lived off and on oversees for the past 25 years in a country that is still currently under occupation, therefore I have a unique insight into the importance of telling history from different angles and an understanding of the importance of more than one story being expressed.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$22
weekly or $175 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 1 learner
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Ages: 11-14
