Create A Civilization: Pick The Location
So the idea of Creating A Civilization begins with picking a location on earth. (Does it have to be earth? I guess not! Could it be a fantasy world? Absolutely!)
Teach The Content
We always start with teaching students the real deal. Where did civilizations actually develop on earth? Why did they pick those places? What were the consequences of those choices?
I often jumped way too quickly to “create” without establishing a firm foundation. Students must know the material before they can climb up Bloom’s! Spend time on Remember and Understand before asking them to make their own version. Don’t be afraid to teach!
Cross Content Areas
The Create A Civilization project is naturally cross-curricular. And this “pick the location” unit is perfect for connecting with science content.
- We’re going to note what biome students have picked. What are the benefits of that biome?
- We’ll note what resources are available and break those resources into biotic and abiotic.
- What animals will be beneficial and which will be a danger or a nuisance.
- We’re going to consider food options and materials for shelter and tools.
- What forms of transportation are available if a civilization develops in this spot? Sailing? Horseback riding?
- Is it flat or hilly?
I want my students to have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of picking a particular spot on earth as the starting point of their civilization. And humans have settled in every darn biome available, so we can always look to history to see how people handled living in locations as diverse as icy tundras, sweaty jungles, steep mountains, and bone-dry deserts.
Keep It Simple
At this point, my students would simply jot ideas into a notebook. I gave each kid one of those writing composition books to use throughout the year. Once I just gave everyone a folded piece of pink construction paper to serve as a folder for loose paper. No need to over-complicate! We’re slowly building up to a grand end-of-year project.
Allow for sharing out, too! The more you let your students chat with each other about their ideas, the more interesting those ideas will get.