Ancient Civilizations: Societies Then and Now: Unit Overview
An ancient civilization unit is a librarian’s dream! This unit offers endless possibilities for teaching text types – folk tales and mythology, to name a few – but also the history of written records. I’ve added some elements that should make this unit a kid- and teacher-pleaser, and I’ve never had any of my lessons overlap with the homeroom teacher efforts. I like to start the unit with fables from ancient Greece. Then, I pick up folktales. At the moment, my favorites are a circular tale from India and Anansi stories from Africa. Finally, I like to wrap up with the work of Johannes Gutenberg, a bit about early bookmaking, and illuminated letters. Dive in and get busy – your kids are going to love this unit!
Ancient Civilizations, Societies Then and Now #1: Aesop’s Fables
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will have an introduction to fables. They will learn what a fable is, characteristics of fables, and make a few notes and sketches so that they can retell the fables. Many kids have heard of, for example, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” but most… Read more
Ancient Civilizations, Societies Then and Now #2: The Drum, a Folktale from India
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn an ancient Indian folktale. They also practice story mapping, identify the story pattern, and write their own class folktale. It’s a fun, engaging, and interesting lesson for the children with a multicultural element. Lesson Plan: Suggested Grades: 2-3 Objective: To map an Indian… Read more
Ancient Civilizations, Societies Then and Now #3: Anansi Stories
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students are introduced to Anansi stories, trickster tales from Africa. The children learn quite a bit of new vocabulary as well as something of the colorful patterns common to the culture. They then use this new knowledge to build a word wall with Anansi-inspired spiders!… Read more
Ancient Civilizations, Societies Then and Now #4: Gutenberg and Bookmaking
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn about Johannes Gutenberg and the first books printed with movable type. They also have the chance to make a book using upcycled or recycled materials. In the next lesson, they will learn the ancient technique of making illuminated letters and begin to fill… Read more
Ancient Civilizations, Societies Then and Now #5: Illuminated Letters
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn how to make illuminated letters just as scribes and artists did in ancient times. Using handmade books from the last lesson, students will create an illuminated letter decorative cover and fill the book with unit vocabulary or a story based on their new… Read more