Ancient Civilizations
WebQuest
Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Reflection | Extensions | Notes to Teacher
Imagine you are living in the ancient civilization of China, Egypt, or Mesopotamia. You have just been hired as a journalist by the local newspaper. It is your job to report on major news stories, daily life pieces, and various other newsworthy topics.
Your editor has just given you your first assignment as a reporter. You must write one story that includes one illustration (picture/sketch). Your story must be of superb quality so that the archeologists that find this newspaper many years in the future will be so impressed that they will describe your ancient civilization as astounding and remarkable.
You will work in a group of eight assigned to a specific ancient civilization; either China, Egypt, or Mesopotamia. In your group, you will brainstorm and divide the stories amongst you. The year span in these ancient civilizations is wide so make sure all of your stories are about events that happened around the same time. Feel free to help other members in your group with ideas but you will be responsible for your own story.
There must be at least one story on each of the following:
Government
Religion
Major Event
Your group must also pick at least 5 of the following to write on:
Fashion
New Invention
Food
Obituaries
Weather
Medicine
Entertainment
An additional Government
An additional Religion
An additional Major Event
A topic approved by the teacher
After each individual story is finished, the group will then compile the news stories into one newspaper using Microsoft Publisher. This newspaper will then be copied, distributed to the class, and presented during class time.
All of the information you will need for this assignment can be found on the resource page linked below. Be sure to efficiently use your time in class to be able to complete this project on time.
Click here to go to your list of resources
Grades will be determined by individual participation, your group product, and your newspaper presentation.
Click here to view your WebQuest rubrics
You now know what life was like in ancient civilizations. In a one page typed or neatly written paper, please write on a civilization other than your own.
1) What was one significant person that lived during this time and what did he/she do?
2) What was the predominate religion in this civilization?
3) What interesting fact did you learn about this civilization?
I know you learned a lot about ancient civilizations in the past two weeks and I hope you enjoyed this process.
On the same page as your conclusion, please describe what you contributed to the group and what other members of your group contributed to the overall product. In addition, answer the following:
1) Did your group work well together?
2) Did you use your time efficiently?
3) Was there anything about this project that you didn't like?
4) Is there anything you would have liked to change in the project?
You may wish to have your students compare and contrast the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia during a class discussion. For extra credit, you may want your students to research a civilization of their choosing and write a report on their findings.
The Arizona State Standards addressed in this WebQuest include:
1SS-E9. Describe the geographic, political, economic, and social characteristics of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China and their contributions to later civilizations, with emphasis on:
PO 2. the forms of government they created, including the theocracies in Egypt and the dynasties in China
PO 3. the religious traditions and how they shaped culture
PO 5. the cultural and scientific contributions, including writing systems, calendars, and building of monuments such as the Pyramids
The National Standards addressed in this WebQuest include:
NSS-WH Era 2: Early civilizations and the emergence of pastoral peoples (4000-1000 BC)
NSS-WH Era 3: Classical traditions, major religions, and giant empires (1000-300 BC)
This WebQuest is intended for the sixth grade level but it can be modified for fifth, seventh, or eighth grade. It can also be modified for a variety of learners.
Basic Skills~ These students will be required to conduct their research, but may choose to not create a newspaper.
Average Skills~ These students will be required to conduct their research and create a newspaper.
Advanced Skills~ These students will be required to complete all components listed in this WebQuest.
This WebQuest can also be modified for the individual learner.
This WebQuest should be taught along with a social studies unit on ancient civilizations. Students need access to computers with the Internet and Microsoft Publisher. Allow three class periods (45-60 minutes) for research, three class periods for writing their articles and creating their newspapers, and one class period for group presentations. Students may choose to work on this project outside of school as well. If you have any questions, e-mail me.