The Egyptians are known for their contributions to science and technology -- specifically dentistry, astronomy and the construction of the Pyramids. To teach students about these discoveries, provide a list of topics students will randomly select to study individually or in pairs. They will then use this information to create short presentations on their findings. Each group also should come up with three trivia questions that can be compiled into a short quiz for each student to take at the end of the lesson.
One area of ancient Rome most students enjoy learning about is the Colosseum. For this lesson, use a WebQuest, a question-based format that utilizes pre-selected Internet sites for gathering information. Give students roles such as senator, gladiator, trainer or farmer, and have them use the Internet to research the daily lives of their people. They’ll also uncover details about the Colosseum and general facts about life in Rome. Students will take notes on their findings, creating outlines of important information. Next, they’ll draw pictures of themselves in their assigned roles, also illustrating two items that would be important to them. Once the drawings are complete, they should be placed in the appropriate spots on a larger picture of the Colosseum in the classroom. The lesson concludes with brief, informal presentations on the students' discoveries about people in Rome and their roles in the Colosseum.
A lesson on Greek heroes and how they compare to contemporary heroes is an excellent way to teach students in depth about these ancient figures. For this activity, students will need background knowledge of several Greek heroes, and then, as a class, they can brainstorm modern-day icons. Create a list showing the heroic qualities of both ancient and modern heroes, comparing and contrasting the two. Students will then individually write short essays on which contemporary hero they think the ancient Greeks would most admire and why.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Mayas were running their own empire and making their own contributions to modern technology. An activity on ancient artifacts can help students learn more about this highly advanced culture and how it continues to impact the world. To do the lesson, prepare a list of Mayan artifacts -- weapons, calendars, jewelry -- for small groups of students to select from. Once they’ve made their selections, the groups can use the Internet or other reference materials to research their items. Next, they need to create three-dimensional representations of their items using materials of their choice. Afterward, these representations will be informally presented to the class by individual groups. Without naming their objects, presenting groups will answer questions from the other students so the artifacts can be identified.