| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | History |
| What topic | The Distant Past |
| What length (min) | 45 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 6 |
| Class size | 9 |
| What curriculum | SAVVAS World History: myWorld Interactive Early Ages Middle Grades |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 10 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Topic | 10 mins | Introduce the topic "The Distant Past" with a brief overview. Use visuals to engage students. Explain the objectives of the lesson. |
| 2 | Printable Card Distribution | 5 mins | Hand out printable cards to each student. Explain that they will fill these out during the lesson to summarize key points. |
| 3 | Group Discussion Activity | 15 mins | Divide the class into three groups of three students. Assign each group a specific ancient civilization to research using classroom materials. Students will fill out relevant sections of their cards during this time. |
| 4 | Physical Activity Break | 5 mins | Lead the class in a quick physical activity, such as a short stretch or a brief game, to re-energize them. |
| 5 | Whole-Class Discussion | 5 mins | Reconvene as a whole group and discuss the findings from the group activity. Teacher facilitates discussion, asks guiding questions, and encourages students to share insights from their cards. |
| 6 | Collection and Review | 5 mins | Collect the printed cards or randomly check the students' work to ensure they have filled them out and understood the material. Provide feedback on their understanding. |
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we are going to explore an exciting topic: The Distant Past. This lesson will take us back in time to understand life in ancient civilizations. We'll look at key historical figures, major events, and how these civilizations shaped the world we live in today.
Let's start with a brief overview of what we’ll be doing today. We will have a group discussion, engage in a physical activity to keep our energy up, and share our findings with each other as a class. By the end of our lesson, we should all have a good grasp of these important historical concepts. Are you ready?"
"Now, I’m going to hand out some printable cards for you to use during our lesson today. These cards are for taking notes on the key points we discuss. You'll fill them out as we go along. Make sure you have the information clearly summarized so you can refer back to it later.
Take one card, and when you receive it, go ahead and write your name at the top."
"Great! Let’s move on to our group activity. I'm going to divide you into three groups of three. Each group will be assigned a specific ancient civilization to research.
Group 1 will explore Ancient Egypt, Group 2 will look at Ancient Greece, and Group 3 will investigate Ancient China. Use the classroom materials—books, resources, and any available technology—to help you gather information.
While you research, make sure to fill out the relevant sections of your cards with important facts and details. You have 15 minutes, and I'll be here to help if you have any questions. Okay, let's get started!"
"That was fantastic teamwork, everyone! Now, let’s take a quick break to recharge. We’ll do a short stretch. Stand up, reach your arms high above your head… now bend to the side… and finally, let’s do a fun little game: 'Simon Says.'
Get ready! Simon says… touch your toes! Great job, everyone! I hope you feel a little more energized now."
“Alright, let’s come back together as a full class. I want each group to share what they discovered about their assigned civilization.
As you share, use your cards to guide your discussion. I’ll ask some questions to help us dive deeper into your findings. For example, what were some of the major events and figures you learned about? How did life in these civilizations differ from our lives today?
Let’s start with Group 1. What do you have for us from Ancient Egypt?"
"Thank you all for sharing such insightful information! It's great to see you engaging with these concepts. Now, I would like to collect your printable cards.
If you haven't filled them out completely, that's alright. I will quickly check your cards to see what you have done and provide feedback on your understanding.
Please remember that your cards should reflect your learning today. If you have any questions about what we covered or anything you want to explore further, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your hard work today!"
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A classroom with students} | - Introduction to the topic: The Distant Past |
| - Key historical figures and major events | ||
| - Overview of today's lesson activities | ||
| 2 | {Image: Printable note cards} | - Handing out printable cards for note-taking |
| - Write your name on the top of the card | ||
| 3 | {Image: Students working in groups} | - Group activity: Research on ancient civilizations |
| - Group assignments: Ancient Egypt, Greece, China | ||
| - Use classroom materials for research | ||
| 4 | {Image: Students stretching} | - Physical activity break |
| - Stretching exercises and "Simon Says" game | ||
| 5 | {Image: A group presenting} | - Whole-class discussion |
| - Each group presents findings | ||
| - Discussion guided by questions from the teacher | ||
| 6 | {Image: A teacher collecting cards} | - Collecting and reviewing printable cards |
| - Feedback on students' understanding | ||
| - Encouraging further exploration and questions | ||
| 7 | {Image: A timeline of ancient events} | - Summary of key historical events |
| - Importance of ancient civilizations in today’s world | ||
| 8 | {Image: Students engaging in discussion} | - Encouraging collaborative learning |
| - Importance of sharing knowledge | ||
| 9 | {Image: A world map highlighting ancient civilizations} | - Locations of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and China |
| - Significance of geography in understanding history | ||
| 10 | {Image: A thank you note} | - Thank you for participating! |
| - Reminder to reflect on today’s learning | ||
| - Invitation to ask questions or explore topics further |
| Question | Answer |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| What major contributions did Ancient Egypt make to civilization? | |
| Who was a key historical figure in Ancient Greece, and why are they important? | |
| How did the geography of Ancient China influence its civilization? | |
| What were the main belief systems of Ancient Egypt? | |
| Can you name one significant event from Ancient Greece and its impact? | |
| How did trade affect the development of Ancient civilizations? | |
| What differences can you identify between life in Ancient Egypt and today? | |
| Who were the philosophers of Ancient Greece and what were their ideas? | |
| How did the dynastic cycles in Ancient China affect its governance? | |
| What role did writing play in the preservation of Ancient civilizations? | |If you could travel back in time to visit one ancient civilization, which one would you choose and why? What specific event or figure would you want to learn about?
How do you think life in Ancient Egypt compared to life in Ancient China? Can you identify some key similarities and differences based on what we discussed?
Imagine you were a historian writing about Ancient Greece. What would be the most important lesson or theme you would want future generations to learn from this civilization?
How do you think the developments in ancient civilizations have influenced our modern society? Can you provide an example of something we still see today that originated from one of these civilizations?
During your research, what was the most surprising fact you learned about your assigned civilization? Why did it stand out to you?
Here's a list of simple physical exercises that can be incorporated into the lesson plan:
# Let's Get Moving!
Stand up tall, reach for the sky,
Touch your toes, give it a try!
Side to side, stretch out wide,
Feel the energy, let it glide.
March in place, one, two, three,
Lift your knees, just like me!
Swing your arms, nice and free,
Let's get energized, you’ll see!
Jump like a frog, hop high and low,
Dance like the wind, let your spirit flow!
Take a deep breath, in and out,
Feel the joy, that's what it's about!
Now it’s time, let’s have some fun,
Together moving, everyone!
With each exercise, our minds prepare,
For history lessons, we all will share!