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Exploring Ancient Civilizations:

Part 2 - Monument Replicas

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Narey Zaragoza

June 29, 2024

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Notes for teachers

Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom using 7 - 8 class periods.
Students may work independently or in partners.

List of Materials

Cardboard, clay, styrofoam, paper mache, or other construction materials.
Measuring tools (rulers, protractors)
Computers/tablets and ancient civilization books for research.
Presentation tools (posters, slides, etc.)

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AZ Science Standards

6-8.E1U1.4: Develop a model to describe the motion of objects and interactions between objects and substances.

AZ ELA Standards

6-8.W.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
6-8.SL.4: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes.

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AZ Math Standards

6-8.RP.A.3: Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

AZ Engineering Standards

3-5.E1U1.1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
6-8.E1U2.5: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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Objective(s):

Today I will choose an ancient civilization and a specific monument to research.(e.g.,

Egypt, Greece, Rome, China etc…).

Today I will create scale models by using ratios and proportions.
Today I will sketch my monument and determine the materials needed.
Today I will use my plans to construct the replica of my chosen monument. I will use chosen/ provided materials to build accurate models.
Today I will encounter and solve engineering challenges, adjusting my plans as necessary.
Today I will write a narrative describing my monument’s historical and cultural significance, the construction process, and any challenges faced.
Today I will present my replica, explain the significance of my monument and the process I followed to construct it.

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Agenda (7 - 8 class periods)

Day 1: Introduction to ancient civilization monuments

Day 2 - 3: Planning and Designing the Replica

Day 4 - 5 - 6: Building the Replica

Day 7: Preparation - Writing Narrative

Day 8: Presentation

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Day 1: Introduction to ancient civilization monuments

Refer back to the informative maps from previous lessons and briefly have students discuss the geographic features that permitted such civilization progress within their settlement.
Now show some pictures of iconic monuments built by the members of those civilizations.
Inform students that within the next week, they will be researching, building a replica of an ancient civilization monument of choice and presenting their work. Continue using the list of ancient civilizations that you would like students to focus on(e.g., Egypt, Greece, Rome, China etc…).
Have students select a monument they prefer to research and replicate. (They can select the ancient civilization previously researched in part 1 or select a different civilization.) Allow research time where they look for the monument's history, cultural significance, and architectural details.

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Day 2 - 3: Planning and Designing the Replica

After students have been introduced/taught ratios and proportions, introduce to students scale and measurement. Model and have students practice using ratios and proportions to create scale models.
Inform students that they will sketch their monuments and determine the materials needed. They will create a plan that includes the monument’s dimensions, scale, and construction steps.

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Day 4 - 5 - 6: Building the Replica

Construction (60 - 90 minutes each day): Students will use their plans to construct the replicas of their chosen monuments. They will work with their partners or independently, using the provided/chosen materials to build accurate models.
During this time, they are encouraged to problem solve and provide support for each other as they encounter engineering challenges and adjust their plans/math work as needed.

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Day 7: Preparation - Writing Narrative

Students will write a narrative describing their monuments historical and cultural significance, the construction process, and any challenges faced.
Students will be encouraged to prepare visual aids for their presentation, such as posters or slides showing the research and construction stages.

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Day 8: Presentation

Students will present** their replicas, explaining the significance of their monument and the process they followed to construct it. They will use their visual aids to support their presentation.
If presenting to class will take too long but you would like for the rest of your class to benefit from everybodies research and process, student can self record their presentation and upload their recording to Flip. This will allow students to see other projects on their own time.

**This is an awesome opportunity to display grade level work for the whole school to enjoy. In previous years with similar projects, we have put aside about 1 hour and a half of the day (towards end of school day) to set up projects in main hallways or cafeteria. A schedule is set up, where different grade levels, staff and parents are invited to walk around, observe the work, and allows our students to present their hard work to various people.

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Assessment

Replica building process: collaboration, problem solving, plan adjustment (Science/Engineering Standards)
Presentation/written narrative: content, organization, clarity of communication, detailed (ELA Standards)
Replica: Ratio/proportion work, planning, replica accuracy (Math Standards)

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Differentiation

For students with special needs, provide simplified research materials and offer additional support during the use of ratios and proportions, providing materials/tools that will facilitate the building of the replica.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students experience virtual tours of iconic ancient civilization monuments.

Invite an archaeologist or historian to talk about the importance of preserving historical monuments.