6th

Egyptian Pharaoh Research Project

Students are right back to work!  Teams chose a pharaoh to research and create a full-sized sarcophagus.  The four chosen pharaohs are Cleopatra, King Tut, Hatsheput and Khufu.

Multicultural Day Presentation:  The GEM Keepers Exhibit-Ancient Civilizations!

All of the hard work and dedication paid off!  The 6th graders did a phenomenal job.  I'm so proud of them!!  Many students put in recess time as well as time at home to finish!  Check out the pictures...

 

Gearing up for Multicultural Day!  January 29, 2020

Students are designing a display board to represent ancient civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, India, Rome).  They will be in full costume for our live museum and have prepared skits to share with the students.

  

Mesopotamian Artifacts with Ms. Keeler!

Mrs. Keeler (Reeds Road GEM teacher) came by to show the students the artifacts in the Mesopotamia loan box from Penn Museum.

Creating a Model of a Sumerian City-State

Early Civilizations Simulation:

Challenge:  Day 1:  Can you survive on your own as an early human?  Students had to collect water from the river.  They also could choose between hunting for food or farming.  Lastly, they had to make a suitable shelter.  At the end of 30 minutes, we had three survivors.  The students quickly realized how difficult life was like for early humans!

Challenge:  Day 2:  Can you survive as a small group of early humans?  Food, water and shelter were still critical for survival but now groups could help each other out.  All eight students survived!

 

The Beginnings of Human Society:  Cave Paintings

Students worked in "cave-like" conditions to create their own version of a cave painting.  They signed their pieces with a hand print.

 

Going Greek!

Sixth graders have been assigned a polis (Greek city-state)...Athens, Corinth or Sparta.  They are completing various tasks to earn hellaspoints.  Examples include designing a temple to honor a deity and the Greek Olympic games.

Terracotta Warriors:

Sixth graders created their own version of teractotta warriors.  The terracotta troops were created for the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang.  They were placed into his tomb to protect the ruler against any enemy for all of eternity.  

Ancient China Dynasties Artifact Simulation:

Students discovered the differences and similarities between 3 major Chinese Dynasties by exploring particular artifacts they created.

Sixth graders shared their Buddha picture books with a 3rd grade class...

                       
                                                                           

India Artifacts: Our visit to Reeds Road to see the loan box from the Penn Museum.  Thanks, Ms. Keeler!!

Egyptian Artifacts: 6th graders visited Reeds Road to see the loan box from the Penn Museum

 

Ancient Egypt Display for Multicultural Day...

Mummification...

After learning about the mummification process, students mummified a chicken.  We will change out the salt mixture every 8-10 days.  We won't get to fully see the results until January.

Ancient Egypt!

Students are learning everything from ancient Egyptian geography, pharaohs, social class and religion.  They are creating a social pyramid and will also be selecting a project of their choice they would like to complete.  

Mesopotamian Artifacts!

Today 6th grade GEM students had the oportunity to see artifacts from Mesopotamia thanks to the Penn Museum loan box.  Ms. Keeler was kind enough to host us.

Cuneiform:  The First Form of Written Language

It's all about Sumer!  Is Sumer a civilization?  Sixth graders are investigating this using the seven characteristics of a civilization.  This week they will also have the opportunity to use cuneiform to create a personalized clay tablet.

First Civilizations Simulation Activity

Students took part in a simulation that dealt with development of agriculture and how that changed daily life in the Neolithic Age.  They had to survive by getting water from the river, finding food and building a shelter.  At the end of Day one we had five survivors.  Here are some pictures of them in action...

6th Grade Cave Art!

After learning about prehistoric cave art, students created their own in a "cave-like" setting.  The final touch was signing it with their handprint.

 
 
 

Greek Olympics Awards Ceremony!

 

Greek Temple Challenge!

Each polis (city-state) had to create a temple to honor a god or goddess of their choice.  They were given approximately 35 minutes and the following materials to use:  construction paper, thumb tacks, paper clips, tape, pens and rubberbands.  Their creations are based of of a blueprint and will be judged using a rubric.

Going Greek!

Students had the opportunity to visit Reeds Road and see the Greek artifacts loan box.  Here are some of the artifacts they saw...












Terracotta Warriors!  After learning about the Qin Dynasty, students are creating their version of a terracotta warrior with model magic, Sharpies and paint.










Sixth graders are moving onto the ancient civilization of CHINA!  To kick off our new study, we headed over to Reeds Road to see Ms. Keeler and the China loan box artifacts.










March 1, 2018
Here are pictures of the students sharing their completed books with a 3rd grade class:

                          

                          
     
           
                         
           
                         

                         


February 22, 2018

After learning about Buddhism, students are turning the information into a picture book that depicts Buddha's life.  The completed books will be shared with third graders.


February 5, 2018

Today sixth graders participated in a simulation depicting the caste system.  They were all assigned a random social position (caste) in which there were certain tasks to complete.  The number of tasks was determined by your hierarchy.  Some of the tasks included milking the cow, making clothes, collecting water, separating wheat, taking care of a baby and cooking.  They will reflect on this ancient Indian system that is still used today.
















January 24, 2018

After learning about Ancient Egypt, sixth graders made a beautiful display for Multi-cultural Day!  They presented their projects to groups of students throughout the day and did a wonderful job.

December 19, 2017

Several 6th graders and one fifth grader spent a couple weeks during their recess time to create the holiday door.  The theme..."Tis the Season to Upcycle!"  Everything was created from recyclable materials.  Their hard work and creativity paid off!  We won FIRST place!!  A big thank you to...Aima, Hannah, Sarah, Haley, Jayla and 5th grader Reece!








Pyramid STEM challenge!  Students were only given wooden sticks/toothpicks and clay to create the tallest pyramid.  Let's just say, the majority of them didn't look much like pyramids.  We are trying again with mini marshmallows.













December 15, 2017

We were lucky enough to walk over to the Reeds Road GEM trailer yesterday to see some Egyptian artifacts from the Penn Museum loan box, thanks to Mrs. Keeler!

December 1, 2017

Our papyrus dried over night and the next step was to make the ink.  We used blackberries, vinegar and salt.  Students used cotton swabs to write their hieroglyphic messages.

November 30, 2017

Did you know the word "paper" is believed to come from the word "papyrus"?  Papyrus was first used around 4000 BCE and it changed the word by giving people an easy way to record information.  After students learned the importance of papyrus to the Egyptians, they actually made their own out of a flour and water mixture.














November 28, 2017

Sixth graders are hard at work learning about Egypt's social pyramid.  I am really impressed with their teamwork!

November 16, 2017

Students have been studying the ancient civilization of Egypt.  After learning about the mummification process they had the opportunity to mummify a cornish game hen. First, students dried the hen thoroughly.  They prepared a mixture of salt, baking soda and baking powder.  Then they used spices like nutmeg and cinnamon to coat the hen.  We will have to re-salt them in a couple weeks to ensure that they are drying out properly.  Stay tuned...

October 27, 2017
Sixth Graders had the opportunity to visit the GEM teacher at Reeds Road to see some Mesopotamian artifacts (a loan box from Penn Museum)!  From cuneiform and scribe tablets to oil lamps, they were able to see what life was like in ancient Sumer.

October 4, 2017
Students chose something meaningful to inscribe onto clay in cuneiform.  They are quickly realizing that our 26 letter alphabet is much more efficient way to write!









September 25, 2017

It's all about Sumer!  Is Sumer a civilization?  Sixth graders are investigating this using the seven characteristics of a civilization.  They will also have the opportunity to use cuneiform (the first form of writing) to create a personalized clay tablet.


September 15, 2017

For day two, students were able to work in groups to complete tasks and could earn extra incentives for learning how to invent a potter's wheel.  At the end of the session everyone was able to survive.

September 14, 2017

Students took part in a simulation that dealt with development of agriculture and how that changed daily life in the Neolithic Age.  They had to survive by getting water from the river, finding food and building a shelter.  At the end of Day one we had five survivors.  Here are some pictures of them in action...



 
 

April 6, 2017
Sixth grade GEM students were involved in a "side" project with Mr. Dunn....Sphero Battlebots! They had to design and create a battlebot that would be able to defend itself (armed with a bamboo skewer and push pin) in the ring.  The goal was for them to NOT get their attached balloon popped by another battlebot.  Here's how it went...

February 10, 2017
Was the caste system of ancient India fair?  Do we have castes in our own society?  Students explored the answers to these questions through a simulation activity where they had to deal with the hand they were dealt.   Students were randomly assigned a caste.  There were a handful of daily tasks to complete such as milking the cow, taking care of a baby, fetching water, cooking food, building a house and separating wheat.  If they were able to get all of their daily tasks accomplished, they could pursue noble learning and try to decode Sanskrit.  This would earn them the right to vote and create new laws for their society.  Here are some pictures of them in action..


 
 
 
 
 
 




February 7, 2017
Mrs. Keeler (Reeds Road GEM teacher) came by to show the students the artifacts in the Egypt loan box from Penn Museum.  There were a variety of artifacts including a canopic jar, scribe's tools and a sarcophagus!

            

January 17, 2017
Journey through India!  We are starting our next topic, Ancient India.  Students will begin by creating a blog to document their journey through India by posting pictures with captions relating to the geographical features of India (similar to Instagram).

December 5, 2016
What happens when you try to mummify a cornish game hen?  Well, we will see in a few weeks!

November 29, 2016
We are moving on to Unit 2...Ancient Egypt!

Movie:  Egypt-A Journey Down the Nile

November 1, 2016
It's all about Sumer!  Is Sumer a civilization?  Sixth graders are investigating this using the seven characteristics of a civilization.  This week they will also have the opportunity to use cuneiform to create a personalized clay tablet as well as design and make a model of a ziggurat.  Here are some pictures of them at work...

October 17, 2016
This week, 6th graders are in the computer lab for MINECRAFT!  This is a simulation of what early humans went through to try to survive.  There are various stages of the game in which students start out as hunters and gatherers and are slowly given tools and fire to help them survive.  Students are beginning to sympathize with the struggle the early humans faced.  A question is posted on Mr. Dunn's blog after each class so students have the opportunity to make connections between the game and the social studies topic.


Ancient Civilizations!  Sixth graders are knee deep in History Alive!  So far in chapter one, students learned about three very important social scientists (archaeologists, historian & geographers) who ask questions, study evidence and form hypothesis.  They examined prehistoric cave art and actually reenacted creating some of their own.  In very dim conditions, with only tea lights, students were under desks using chalk to design a cave art drawing.  Everyone was a mess but had a great time!

In chapter two, students learned about early humans (hominids) and what capabilities they had that helped them survive.  As a culminating activity, sixth graders created a Prezi about the five hominid groups and presented them to the class.


Next, we are on to the development of agriculture and how that changed daily life in the Neolithic Age.  Students took part in a simulation activity that helped them understand why early humans formed societies and the reasons for the geographic placements of them.  In order to survive, students individually had to find representations of food, shelter and water within a given time.  At the end, we had only 5 survivors.  They did the activity again in teams and everyone was able to survive which emphasized how humans were able to thrive more in groups.  Here are a few pictures..