Ancient Adventure

  • Administrating the Adventure

    This is how our adventure into Ancient Times works.

    ACTIVITIES: Each week there will be four major activities presented to the students.  These activities will be listed on the chalkboard on the first day of the week.  They will then be rotated throughout the four groups (see PLANETS) of class; each group having one to four days to complete each activity.  These activities may require working as a group or an individual.  Either way, for most assignments the due date will be the Friday of that week of class.  This gives ample time for the completion of  activities.  Some assignments will require more than a week for completion.  Nonetheless, appropriate class time will be given in order to complete each assignment.  Extra time is always negotiable.  

    The activities will correlate with a central theme.   We do not study the ancients civilization by civilization.  We study themes such as: subsistence, specialization and trade, governance, political ideology, and others.  We analyze different ancient societies, and research how the ancients may have accomplished the great task of developing a civilization.  Knowledge of each theme will be used to create our very own theoretical civilizations.  Each theme can be easily related to the events of the modern world.  We learn history by studying how the ancients did history... and then we make our own history.

    PLANETS:  There are four groups that function in the class.  Each group, we call "planet," is comprised of three to six students.  The planet's cooperative environment allows each student to function as a member of a micro-society.  The majority of projects will require social competency.  For management purposes, (And because I'm a SW nerd.) each group is named after a STAR WARS planet:

    HOTH DAGOBAH TATOOINE GEONOSIS
    (Only a few of you will understand that 
    these are Outer Rim systems.)

    These planets are critical to our class adventure.  Students will be asked to create theoretical civilizations on each of their planets.  To do this, we equate each of our planets with an environment that exists on Earth.  This enables us to do actual research.  After we study a theme, we apply it to our planets.  For instance, as we learn how the ancients procured food, water, shelter, and clothing, we use an Earthly Equivalent to research how we could procure those same things for our planets.

    Earthly Equivalents

    HOTH = ARCTIC NORTH
    DAGOBAH = AMAZON RAIN FOREST
    TATOOINE = SAHARA DESERT
    GEONOSIS = AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

    (Lucky for us... people already learned how to live there.)


    THE DISTRIBUTOR: All planets have a student who functions as The Distributor.  The Distributor's main job is to assist the teacher in handing out materials and the like.  This cuts down on the flow of traffic and adds a bit of decorum to the classroom.  However, The Distributor may be asked to cover other duties, many of which require leadership skills.  The position of Distributor changes weekly.  Each student will have many chances to function as The Distributor.  This job is an integral part of everyday classroom operation, and provides each student with ample leadership oppurtunities. 

     
    HOMEWORK: The activity for each group is presented to the students on the beginning schoolday of the week.  Some activities will require extra time at home. Activities that require completion at home will be marked "HW."  Students would be wise to copy all assignments in their planners.  Therefore, they will know exactly what their responsibilities are for the week in case of absences.  And parents can monitor their student's work load from home.  Class activities will also be posted on this website.  

    Though homework may be rare due to the nature of the small group environment, there are always things that can be done at home:
    • Reading anything is always a good idea.  
    • Reviewing notes and worksheets.  
    • Explaining the relation between each of the four activities.  
    • Even watching the Discovery Channel to further understanding of Ancient Civilizations.

    INTERNET RESEARCH: Some activities will require research to be done on the computer.  No student will be penalized due to lack of internet service.  Accommodations will be made to ensure each student has an opportunity to engage technology.  Never hesitate to ask for extra computer time before, during, or after school.  

    The FORCE will be with you... always.


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