As a kid in school I loved when my teachers celebrated creativity in the classroom. In fact, when I reflect on my own education, the moments I remember the most were the creative ones. I vividly remember making salt maps of the state, book report mobiles, models, papier-mâché globes, interactive brochures, puppets, and dioramas. What about you? Are the instructional moments that you remember the most tied to creative activities? There's just something so powerful about hands-on learning with creative opportunities. Now, more than ever, in our assessment-focused world of education, it's time to infuse creativity into the classroom! Check out these fun ways to turn ancient history lessons into creative hands-on learning experiences! EARLY MAN During this project, students complete 5 different learning stations. Students complete their work on flame shapes that they can transform into a 3-D fire. Working both independently and with small groups, students learn about The Paleolithic Era, the Neolithic Era, the Great Migration, and elements of a civilization. (Learn more here.) ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA As students complete 6 learning stations about ancient Mesopotamia, they'll build a 3-D ziggurat. The stations focus on geography, religion, accomplishments, politics, economics, and society. The end result is a 3-D structure that students can display on their desks or around the classroom. (Learn more here.) ANCIENT EGYPT With this hands-on project, students learn all about ancient Egypt before turning their learning into an interactive sphinx. Students build flip-able parts of the sphinx poster while their progress through 6 different learning stations. The end result is a celebration of Egypt and their learning! (Learn more here.) ANCIENT CHINA Learning about ancient China is especially engaging with this fact hunt and doodle poster. Not only will students collect critical facts about the ancient civilization, they'll also display their learning with doodles that they create. The poster's extra-long size makes it unique and perfect to display in the classroom. (Learn more here.) ANCIENT INDIA If I have to pick a favorite hands-on World History project, this one might be it. During this project, students add information about ancient India to different layers of a lotus flower while progressing through 6 stations. When they're finished, they turn their learning into a 3-D lotus flower. The end result is a stunning collection of learning. (Learn more here.) ANCIENT GREECE This hands-on learning project includes 6 learning stations about ancient Greece. During the stations, students create an accordion-style book to showcase their learning. They'll assemble the foldable parts of the book to create a Parthenon accordion book. It's interactive and meaningful. (Learn more here.) ANCIENT ROME This ancient history project is especially fun. After completing 6 engaging learning stations about ancient Rome, students will turn their learning into a 3-D version of the Colosseum. And...to amp up the "fun factor" there are even 3 gladiator figures that students can design and display inside their Colosseum. (Learn more here.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These projects are the perfect combination of rigor and creativity. If you're looking for fun ways to mix up your Social Studies instruction, check out these hands-on units here: - Early Man - Ancient Mesopotamia - Ancient Egypt - Ancient China - Ancient India - Ancient Greece - Ancient Rome Thanks for stopping by! Mary Beth P.S. Save on the bundle for ALL of the resources HERE.
Looking for some engaging, high-quality history lessons? Then check out my favorite free US history lessons for middle school!
I randomly came up with this idea during the last week of school. One of my reading groups had finished their book and project before any of the other groups had finished. Instead of giving them a new book (there was only one week left), I quickly created this template and told them to pick an event in history and research it. I had one boy choose the Vikings, someone else chose the atomic bomb, a girl wanted the great depression, and another student picked the Korean war. I loved that everyone had such diverse topics. After they got started, I saw some great learning take place in my classroom! Because it's an inquiry-based activity, they generated their own questions. And because they got to choose their own topic, they were excited and felt ownership over the project. I plan on using this next year as a fun fast finisher activity. This list is something I quickly generated. {I know it is not all inclusive - if I left something off that you really want me to add on, please leave me a comment.} This would be fun to hang up somewhere in the back of the classroom so fast finishers can work on a project whenever they want. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HISTORY DETECTIVES! * * * * * Want to hear some GREAT news? I am leaving next week on an 8 day history trip to Virginia where I get to study at the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute! I also get to visit Jamestown and Yorktown. I'm so excited! I plan on posting lots of the things I learn, including pictures!
Have you considered using virtual field trips within your ancient civilizations study? Virtual field trips bring history to life, as students explore and take ownership of learning. These structured trips incorporate informational text, video, Google Earth 360 degree views, and critical thinking response questions.
Using primary sources to teach history can be challenging. Use these valuable tips to bring more primary sources into your teaching.
Learn a variety of strategies on how to make history class engaging for students. Check out in this blog post.
Homeschool middle school history and have a fabulous time with the amazing tips!
As a classroom teacher, you often get hit with that question – usually within the first week of school by a student who “Does Not Want To Be Here”… and truthfully, how do you answer
Check out these fun history board games for middle and high schoolers!
My husband is one of the best teachers I know. I can verify this because I hear, “MR. BIBLE IS MY FAVORITE TEACHER !!!” every time my own students figure out we are married. I could get jealous, but mostly I just get proud. That’s why I set out to surprise him with a world ... Read More about Middle School World History Classroom: Inspiration for a small and windowless classroom
When studying the Middle Ages in your homeschool, engage kids by adding some fun medieval activities for middle school to your lesson plans.
Middle school kids want to interact with history like with these hands-on projects from ancient & medieval history, colonial & pioneer America, and civil war.
Check out these five simple tips for engaging history lessons - tips and tricks for making your social studies units engaging!
Get your students thinking like a historian from the get-go with these tips and ideas for your first Social Studies lesson of the year.
Medieval period is a fascinating time to study, and these activities will bring it to life for tweens. From authentic recipes to knights and castles, there's something here for everyone.
Guide to using Social Studies Simulations to step away from the lecture podium and engage your students with hands-on history activities.
