A Differentiated Learning Opportunity
“Classroom Museum”
Monday, December 2, 2013
Dear Parents & Guardians,
As we continue learning about ancient civilizations and begin our Mesopotamia Unit,
students will be inspired to deepen their knowledge on specific interests. Oftentimes, students
become eager to research and create models or replicas of artifacts and share with classmates
what they have learned. Therefore, we will be creating a mini-museum here at school with
these recreations of artifacts and ancient civilization models. Each student will have the
opportunity to think and act like an archeologist & historian as they choose a specific topic to
research from the variety of ancient civilizations and time periods that will be studied this
year. These civilizations include: Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient
China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, The Middle Ages, and Renaissance. Students can also
elect to complete a project on an ancient civilization which isn’t a part of our direct studies this
year, such as Latin America (Mayan, Toltec, Aztec, Inca), Japan, Byzantine, Rapa Nui, the Celts,
or any other ancient peoples.
Students will need to choose a “project” from one of the above civilizations to share with
the class. Their mission will be to answer this Essential Question: Discover the secrets
behind your model or artifact. What do they reveal or teach us about that civilization?
An abstract will be written to explain the model/artifact. In some cases, their project will
review in greater depth the units we have already gone over; in other cases it will become a
source of curiosity for their peers in anticipation of the learning to come.
To accommodate all students’ schedules (those who request for something “fun” to do
over Winter Break and those who have busy family plans over break), this contract is being
distributed now, in order for you to decide together both the project selection and time table
for completion. On the next page you will find a list of possible topics. Please note that they can
choose anything from the entire page (working alone), or choose a project to do with a partner
or partners along with higher expectations. The partner does not have to be from the same
social studies class, but must be from the same academy. Collaboration should only be selected
if you are certain your child will be able to work with another student and that they have your
permission.
Please read this over with your child and indicate below what has been decided.
Completed form is due by Friday, December 6, 2013. Presentations will begin to take place in
early February 2014, but again your child may want to begin this project before or even during
Winter Break. Thanks for your continued support!
Mrs. Jones, Miss Albers, and Mrs. Whitney
Grade 6 Social Studies Teachers
Activities for One
Make / Create / Develop an Artifact or Model
All replicas/models must include an abstract (brief summary and analysis of the researched project), which includes NEW and INTERESTING information describing the project. The abstract
should also answer the Essential Question: Discover the secrets behind your model or artifact. What do they reveal or teach us about that civilization? Abstract must be typed and
sources must be cited. Students will present their project. Abstract is typically no longer than one page. This is displayed with your artifact.
1. Mesopotamian cuneiform, Sumerian
language, or Phoenician alphabet in clay
2. Mesopotamian Farming tools
3. Wheel and axel from Sumer
4. Mesopotamian reliefs, mosaics
5. Mesopotamian lyre
6. Assyrian chariot etc.
7. Ancient Persian jewelry
8. Model of Hammurabi Code
9. Egyptian weaponry
10. Egyptian pull-horse (toy)
11. Egyptian outfit/costume/clothing from
pharaoh to laborer
12. Red (Lower), White(Upper), or Combined
(United) crown
13. A short story in hieroglyphs
14. A wall-size timeline info & graphics on any
of the 3 civ.
15. A wall Frieze
16. A reed boat
17. An Egyptian Doll
18. Make paper (papyrus) & write a short
message in hieroglyphs or number equations
19. A pair of Egyptian sandals
20. An Egyptian Harp
21. An Egyptian Sistrum
22. Egyptian clay pottery
23. A scribe’s pen case
24. An Egyptian Shield
25. An Egyptian battleaxe
26. Anubis
27. An Egyptian Wig
28. Egyptian headdress
29. An Egyptian collar
30. Egyptian Snake Game
31. Egyptian water clock
32. A Scarab Seal
33. Make 6 fish charms
34. A corn husk ball
35. Paper Mache mummy
36. A beaded collar
37. Sandpaper pyramid
38. A paddle doll
39. King Tut’s headdress
40. A set of 4 large canopic jars
41. Report on Monsoons with Diagram
42. Stone seals from Mohenjo Daro
43. Buddha statue and report
44. Army on Elephants – India
45. Stupa – Buddhist monument
46. Buddha statues around the world
47. Drawing of the Silk Road
48. Foot binding report and drawing
49. Report on Fireworks
50. Chinese writing
51. Chinese New Year’s
52. Chinese Kimono or clothing
53. Chinese weaponry
54. Chinese Paper making
55. Chinese Kite
56. Chinese compass
57. Chinese abacus
58. Chinese coins
59. Japanese Origami
60. Japanese weapons /armor
61. Montezuma’s headdress
62. Aztec, Mayan or Incan food
63. Aztec, Mayan or Incan clothing
64. Aztec, M. or Incan weaponry or tools
65. Thaloc serpent Model
66. Ancient Greece Artwork – replicas of
famous statues etc.
67. Clay Seals
68. Greek or Roman clothing styles
69. Greek or Roman makeup and jewelry
70. Greek or Roman weapons
71. Rapa Nui Sculpture
72. Replica of any artist’s work – such as
paintings, drawings, sculptures (Renaissance
or other time periods)
YOGI (Your Own Great Idea!)
Activities for Partners
Make/Create/Develop one of the following:
1. Hanging Gardens Model
2. Storytelling of Phoenician
“monsters” with maps of
routes.
3. Ancient Board Game Senet
4. A Ziggarat
5. A large Pyramid
6. A Rosetta Stone
7. A shaduf
8. A model of a Sphinx
9. A pectoral
10. An Egyptian Home
11. A loom
12. A tomb painting
13. An Egyptian wooden boat
with a sail
14. An Egyptian Chariot
15. An Egyptian mummy case
16. An Egyptian newspaper
17. Canopic chest and funeral
barge
18. Mummify an apple/orange
and explain process
19. A mural of hieroglyphs
20. Explanation of the caste
system with diagram/ poster
21. Geography of Ancient India
(diorama or relief map)
22. Chinese Terra Cotta
Warriors Chamber
23. Buddha statues
24. Chinese scrolls and writing
25. Chinese musical
instruments
26. Chinese Dragon
27. Japanese Garden
28. Parthenon
29. Other Greek Temple
30. Greek Art – urns etc.
31. Olympics (discus etc)
32. Trojan Horse
33. Greek Ships
34. Tsunami /Crete/Minoans
35. Roman Aqueduct
36. Roman Road System
37. Roman Baths
38. Gods and goddesses of
Hinduism – statues and
explanations
39. Gods and goddesses of
Mesopotamia
40. Gods and goddesses of
Mayan Civilization
41. Gods and goddesses of
Aztecs Civilization
42. Gods and goddesses of
Ancient Greece
43. Gods and goddesses of
Ancient Rome
44. Make a model of the Mayan
Calendar
45. Incan number system
46. Quipus
47. Chinampa Model
48. Aztec or Mayan Temples
49. Stalae
50. Mummies
51. Stonehenge
52. Armor of the Middle Ages
53. World Religions: Symbols
and what they mean
54. Something from the first
list– but going further or
making it larger. Be ready to
explain how you will use
double the effort to create a
fascinating project.
55. YOGI (Your Own Great Idea!)
Activities for Groups
Models
(3-4)
1. A soul house model
2. A large landscape of the
pyramids at Giza or in
Latin America.
3. A large landscape of
Ancient Egypt/The Nile
4. An Egyptian Villa
5. An Egyptian doll house
6. A landscape of a farming
community
7. A model of King Tut’s
tomb/chamber
8. A model of Alexandria
before the Tsunami
9. A large landscape of
Mohenjo-Daro
10. A model of the Great Wall
of China
11. Create the Forbidden City
12. Model of Terra Cotta
Burial
13. A model of an Aztec or
Mayan city, such as
Tenochtitlan.
14. A model of the elaborate
Incan road systems and
bridges.
15. Conquistador battle scene.
16. Acropolis
17. Roman City with
aqueducts, baths, etc.
18. Domed Architecture
19. Hadrian’s Wall
20. Castle
21. Cathedral
22. Model of social pyramid
of any civilization
23. YOGI (Your Own Great
Idea!)
My Differentiated Learning
Proposal and Contract
Date Collected: _____
Student’s Name________________________
He/she will be working: (Circle One)
Alone
Class Period _______
OR
Partner(s) Name(s)
________________________
________________________
________________________
With a Partner(s)
SS Class Period
____________
____________
____________
To be Completed: (Circle one)
During Winter Break
Civilization
After Winter Break
Project
Both during & after Winter Break
Materials & Ideas
st
1 choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
4th choice
5th choice
“I understand that it is my responsibility to fulfill the research requirements and expectations of the
project. I understand that I will receive more information and direction from the teacher. I also
understand that I if I work with a partner (or partners) that I must do work equivalent to the effort
required for an individual project. Therefore, the more people involved in the project, the greater the
expectation. I agree to do “my fair share”. I understand that I must wait for teacher approval before
beginning this project. I understand the project is due January 31, 2014.
Student Signature ___________________________________________
Parent Signature ____________________________________________