Building Civilizations From Scratch

Over the course of three weeks, spanning from Thanksgiving to Winter Break, our Grade 5-6 students embarked on an exciting journey of creating their own imagined civilizations. This endeavor involved crafting detailed maps, informative blurbs, and formal essays.

 

To kickstart this project, we began by exploring the basic concept of what constitutes a civilization. We delved into the pivotal role of agriculture in shaping the course of civilizations, examined the locations of some of the world's oldest civilizations, and contemplated the meaning of the term "civilization" itself. We undertook brainstorming sessions and drew inspiration from the story of “Weslandia,” where a child developed his own civilization based on a staple crop grown in his backyard. 

 

As a result of our collective efforts, our class compiled a list of key components essential for a civilization. These components encompassed elements such as a staple crop, a central capital city, specialized professions, architectural marvels, governance structures, communication systems, artistic expressions, shared beliefs, and scientific pursuits. We noted that historians often disagree on what defines a civilization, often including the debate on whether a written language is a necessary qualifying element.

 

Beyond enhancing their exposure to essay writing and introducing basic mapping skills, this project laid the foundation for our upcoming exploration of ancient African civilizations, specifically focusing on Nubia and Egypt after the winter break. Furthermore, it will prepare our students for a deeper dive into the fascinating world of West African Kingdoms in the future.