History Quest 4: The Ancient East (Full Curriculum for Grades 4-6)

What was it like to live in ancient India, China, or Arabia? Why were so many other cultures interested in traveling to these places along the Silk Road? In this 9-week class, students learn about some of the important people and events from the ancient civilizations of China, India, & Arabia.  As we learn about them we'll ask ourselves:  What did these civilizations contribute to humanity? 

This class is for learners in grades 4-6.  It can be used as a STAND-ALONE CLASS for those students interested in ancient cultures or as as part of FULL-YEAR CURRICULUM when taken with Parts 1, 3 & 4 (see below for details).  I use the curriculum History Quest:  Early Times as a foundation for the material of the class.  It is an engaging curriculum that uses story-telling and hands-on activities to bring to life the story of humankind.  The most exciting part of teaching history is helping students realize the connection between the events of the past and themselves, knowing that everything led up to the way things are today, or understanding that people of long ago had the same fears and joys that we do today.  As we progress through the chapters, I supplement with interactive slideshows, engaging videos, and stories that help learners connect to the past.  I encourage them to ask questions, imagine, and wonder about things. Throughout the class they keep a notebook to keep track of questions they wonder about, things they’d like to learn more about, and interesting things they’ve noticed along the way.  I try to help them experience history as a historian does--building the story of humankind as they hear stories, look at evidence, and synthesize the knowledge of others. 

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CLASS STRUCTURE
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This class meets 3 days per week on the following schedule.  Before class, students will be assigned a chapter in the History Quest chapter book. 

DAY 1: Students discuss the assigned History Quest chapter.  Using an interactive slideshow we explore the civilization.  We look at maps, watch engaging videos, and share ideas about the civilization we're studying.  Finally we wrap up the class with a short story or chapter from a related historical fiction novel. 

DAY 2: We travel back in time on a "History Hop!" looking at a specific person or event from history.  Then we'll analyze some primary sources in my popular "Let's Be a Historian!" activities.  Students are assigned pages to browse in the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia.

DAY 3: On the last day students will share ideas from the homework assignment.  Then they'll do a hands-on activity, like cooking or art.  Finally, we'll wrap up the lesson with another short story or chapter.  

Students will be doing a research project on an ancient Greek or Roman person of their choice.  The project encourages student's to choose a person based on their own interests, making it a personalized and meaningful experience for everyone.  

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SPRING 2023
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WEEK 1 (Apr 10):  The Indus Valley Civilization
-History Hop to meet a city planner
-Make an Indus Valley Seal
-Read: Ramayana

WEEK 2 (Apr 17):  The Indus Valley
-History Hop to meet Ashoka the Great
-Make a Dish Fit for Ashoka
-Read: Ramayana

WEEK 3 (Apr 24): Ancient Africa: Kushites & Aksumites
-Read:  Ramayana
-History Hop to visit some African merchants
-Make a Mancala game
-Read: Ramayana

WEEK 4 (May 1): Ancient China
-History Hop to visit the Silk Mother
-Read: Ramayana
-Make an "ancient" Chinese book

WEEK 5 (May 8): Ancient China
-History Hop to visit a scholar
-Read: Chinese Children's Favorite Stories
-Paper-making

WEEK 6 (May 15): Byzantine Empire
-History Hop to visit a circus performer
-Eggshell Byzantine Mosaic
-Read: Tales from the Arabian Nights

WEEK 7 (May 22): Arabia
-History Hop to visit the Caliph
-Make Saleeg*
-Read: Tales from the Arabian Nights
*cooking should be done with adult supervision or outside of class

WEEK 8 (May 29): The Silk Route
-Read: Tales from the Arabian Nights
-Project Introduction: Plan a Silk Route Road Trip

WEEK 9 (June 5): Project Wrap-Up
-Read: Tales from the Arabian Nights
-Present Projects

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History Quest Full-Year Course
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This course is part of a 4-part series of classes.  There are NO PRE-REQUISITES for taking the class, meaning any student may take ANY CLASS, IN ANY ORDER, or even as a STAND-ALONE class.  However, when all classes are taken sequentially, it creates a full-year course, lasting 36 weeks.  

Part 1:  The Dawn of Civilization (pre-history through the first civilizations)- 9 weeks
Part 2:  Ancient Empires (ancient Mesopotamia, and ancient Americas)- 9 weeks
Part 3:  Ancient Greece & Rome (Greeks & Romans)- 9 weeks
Part 4 (THIS CLASS):  Ancient East (India, China, Arabia & the Silk Route)- 9 weeks

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Note About Historical Perspective
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History has many circumstances where we can question the perspective of the events.  For example, one group of people “conquers” another group, or a group of people form a religion around a certain set of beliefs. I make every effort to include multiple perspectives or ask questions that encourage students to think about different viewpoints.  I explain to students often that there are multiple ways to construct history, because there are so many people involved in any one part of it.  That’s what makes it so interesting!  Students are always free to ask questions and state opinions in a respectable way.  If controversial topics arise, my practice is to point out that not everyone believes the same thing, and it’s our job to try to see things from everyone’s point of view if we are to create a fair picture of what happened in the past.