Outschool
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Log In

LIVE: Everything You Need To Know About Early Civilizations!

In this 8-week beginner course, students will explore how early civilizations (Egypt, China and Mesopotamia) had unique governments, economic systems, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices.
Rick Hudgel
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(23)
Class

What's included

8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hours
Mastery Evaluation
1-2 hours per week. Evidence of Mastery
Grading
Evidence of Mastery

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
In this 8-week course, we will explore the early river civilizations of Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia, focusing on their governments, economic systems, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices. The overarching goal is to help learners understand how these foundational elements shaped the ancient world and continue to influence modern societies in the Eastern Hemisphere.

What will be taught?
Learners will be introduced to the key cultural practices and innovations of these early civilizations, such as governance, religion, agriculture, technological advancements, economic systems, and social structures. We will emphasize how these developments provided the foundation for many aspects of today's global society.

What topics will you cover?
Throughout the course, we'll cover how these civilizations:
Formed governments to manage resources like irrigation and trade.
Developed religious systems to explain their environments and guide societal norms.
Used agriculture and technology to thrive in favorable geographic conditions.
Established economic and social hierarchies that laid the groundwork for urbanization.
Produced cultural legacies that remain influential in today's Eastern Hemisphere.

How is your class structured?
The course is structured as a blend of interactive learning activities and informative content delivery. Each week, a new facet of these civilizations will be explored through a variety of methods, ensuring students engage with the material in multiple ways. While there will be overarching themes tying the weeks together, the content will progress naturally from government to religion, agriculture, technology, and finally, economic and social systems.

How will you teach?
The class will be taught using a mix of lectures, multimedia resources, and active learning. I will use clear, concise explanations of each topic paired with relevant visuals, slides, and video clips to help illustrate key points. The lectures will be supplemented by interactive activities that encourage learners to actively engage with the material, such as group discussions, simulations, and creative projects.

What's your teaching style?
My teaching style is engaging, student-centered, and interactive. I believe in fostering curiosity by connecting ancient practices with modern-day relevance, ensuring the material feels accessible and exciting. I aim to create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions and contributing their thoughts. While I will provide the necessary foundational knowledge, I encourage learners to take part in critical thinking and collaborative learning.

How much will learners get to interact with you?
Learners will have multiple opportunities to interact with me and each other throughout the course. In each session, I will use a combination of:

Lectures to present core information.
Discussions to encourage active participation, where students can share ideas and ask questions about the civilizations.
Group activities and games such as role-playing ancient trade systems or simulating agricultural planning, which will deepen their understanding of the material.
Multimedia like slides and video clips to visually reinforce the content. The course will also include hands-on projects, such as constructing irrigation models or analyzing ancient legal codes, which I will facilitate and guide.
Overall, this course will be highly interactive, balancing traditional teaching with dynamic, collaborative learning experiences that help students grasp the enduring legacies of early civilizations.

Learning Goals

Compare the six cultural practices and products of the early civilizations.
Identify the enduring influences of the six cultural practices and products on cultures today.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with State-Specific Standards
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
From Soggy Fields to Scepters-Ancient Governments Explained!
 How ancient governments emerged to solve real-world challenges like irrigation and trade, forming the first city-states. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Unveiling Ancient Secrets: How Rivers Changed History!
 Explore how ancient rivers shaped civilizations in this engaging 45-minute class! Learn how the Nile, Yangtze, and more turned barren lands into thriving farms, powered trade, and protected societies. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Unraveling Ancient Mysteries-The Birth of Religion!
 Explore ancient civilizations like Egypt, India, China and Mesopotamia through engaging stories about their gods, rituals, and daily life. Our unique, fun approach makes history relatable and exciting for kids. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Unlocking Ancient Tech Secrets
 Explore ancient technology in a fun, engaging class that uncovers the innovations of early civilizations! From irrigation to roads and writing, students will discover how these ancient "tech tricks" shaped the world. 
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
This course can accommodate most learning needs using technological interventions.
Parental Guidance
As always, parents are welcome to view the materials and provide feedback to the instructor if necessary.
Supply List
Students should have writing utensils, paper, access to internet, etc. All content will be provided.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Ancient Egypt. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/topics/reference/ancient-egypt BBC. (2019, June 5). Ancient India. BBC Bitesize. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zxn3r82 Mark, J. J. (2018, September 19). Ancient Mesopotamia. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/ The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000). Chinese Religion and Philosophy. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/chrc/hd_chrc.htm Cartwright, M. (2020, September 13). Ancient China. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/china/
Joined August, 2024
5.0
23reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Bachelor's degree in Integrated Social Studies
Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration

Reviews

Live Group Course
Share

$16

weekly or $125 for 8 classes
1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-8 learners per class

About
Support
SafetyPrivacyCA PrivacyLearner PrivacyYour Privacy ChoicesTerms
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© 2024 Outschool