History G3-4 Wed. Class A (renew)

Description

All lessons in this thematic unit will include: Warm-up Question, Guided Reading, Vocabulary, Activity, and Assessment. Google Earth, Youtube and other platforms will be utilized to bring the students an interactive experience that assists them with the process of building English language skills while learning about the world history that helped form Europe and other ancient lands.

Lesson 1- Ancient Sumeria

This class will focus on the first recorded civilization that existed over in the Eastern Hemisphere. We will learn about the way of life for these first people and the way they developed a civilization built on a foundation of concepts like social structure, government, and writing. We will also focus on topics which helped them thrive, like art, religion and technology. This class will also be used to introduce the class to their project, which is due during Lesson 6 and includes the students choosing one of five civilizations we will cover up until Lesson 5.

Lesson 2- Empires of Mesopotamia

This lesson will cover the various empires that existed within Mesopotamia, including Akkadian, Babylonian and Assirian. These areas will be examined and compared to each other so we can differentiate between them and realize the traits they shared, as well as the things they did in isolation. After finding out that the land which was early Mesopotamia, is now modern-day Iraq, the region will be examined for the similarities and differences between these two time periods.

Lesson 3- Ancient Persia

The students, during this lesson, will begin to understand the magnitude of the biggest empires of the world. Persia will be examined from the beginning of its known time, starting with why it’s so difficult to retrieve records of their existence. The Persian empire will be appreciated for all of its qualities, such as art, sports, and their networks of roads. The religion of these ancient Iranians will also be examined to see how it might compare to what some religion’s believe today.

Lesson 4- Ancient Egypt and the Middle East

This lesson will be about the great civilization of Egypt by looking at the government and their pharaohs. We will examine how they built the pyramids, massive structures which still exist today. Students will also look at the social structure of this great society. The great Nile River will be discovered for all of its year-round benefits, still to this day. The Kingdom of Kush will be appreciated for its early interactions with Egypt, then again for their defeat of Egypt. The tools they created for farming efficiency will also be inspected.

Lesson 5- Ancient India

The students will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the geographic location of this civilization. We will also examine eight key features and their effects on the settlement of ancient India. It’s landscape will be seen for all of its beauty, but also it’s danger. The Gupta Empire will also be appreciated for their many great qualities, including universities, metalwork, painting and roads.

Lesson 6- Project Based Learning

This session will be dedicated to the presentations of the students, which were discussed during Lesson 1. The students will choose a civilization for which they will construct a diorama, illustrating the land features, the way of life for the people who existed there and at least three key features of its society in a pros vs. cons graphic organizer.

Lesson 7- Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism

These three religions will be surveyed and appreciated for the way they brought together and gave hope to many people across the earth. Judaism will be seen as the uniting force for all Jewish people who practice the faith. The origins of Hinduism and Buddhism will be addressed, as well as the nobel principles which lay the foundation for their workings. The structure of their beliefs will be discussed and analyzed as the students learn about the many layers and facets of these beliefs. 

Lesson 8- Ancient Greece

This vast region will be learned about, while the students study the city-states of Sparta and Athens. We will look at the governments of the many city-states within this empire, including the rise and fall of Alexander the Great’s empire. This empire will be examined for all of its key features, including medicine, architecture, sports, philosophy and theatre. 

Lesson 9- Ancient Rome

This lesson will cover the geography and early development of this great republic, including the influences it received from Greece. The social and political structure will also be explored for all of its detriment and benefits as we analyze the various expansions of the great empire, usually through conquest. The students will learn about the culture that made up Roman life as we discuss the origins of Christianity.

Lesson 10- Project Based Learning

The session will be dedicated to the students’ presentations for their designated religion. The students will be explaining the differences and similarities between these three beliefs. They can do this in one of three different ways, a Venn Diagram, a Pros vs. Cons graphic organizer, or an analysis of difference and similarities within a written essay.

About the Teacher

Joshua Bowman’s purpose in life is to provide children with opportunities and resources to enable them to grow academically and personally. A California native, Mr. Bowman began his career upon graduating Cum Laude from California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) with a BA in Liberal Studies and an MA in Education. He has taught all primary grade levels and is currently teaching 8th grade in Monterey County. His dedication to the principles of service, and individual maturity is reflected in his long-term association with a national leadership and mentoring organization. Mr. Bowman enjoys a fun and lively classroom setting in which he typically focuses on critical thinking analysis, discussion, and the expansion of vocabulary understanding and usage.