Looking for an engaging and rigorous Ancient Civilization Activities and Social Studies Curriculum that covers The Stone Age / Archaeology, Early Humans, Archaeology, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Israel, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome, and is both suitable for 6th grade and Grade 4 Ontario curriculum? Look no further than the Ancient Civilizations and World History Complete Curriculum, available in print and digital formats.
This comprehensive curriculum resource contains over 1500 pages and slides of material, including 58 individual units and products organized into 9 bundles, making it a complete cross-curricular resource for educators teaching 6th grade or Grade 4 Ontario curriculum. In addition to the 8 individual units included in each bundle, the resource also features a bonus Ancient Civilizations Lapbook Project, Pacing Guide, and Curriculum Binders to help teachers stay organized and on track.
The Ancient Civilizations and World History Complete Curriculum has everything you need to engage and challenge your students while meeting curriculum requirements.
★UPDATE 2/22 Now includes 200 Bell Ringers - Daily Warm Ups for Every Day of the Year
★UPDATE 1/22 Editable Lesson Planning Templates & Curriculum Maps Included for All Units
★UPDATE 10/20 8 Digital & Print Board Games for Review now included!
★UPDATE 6/20 DIGITAL Interactive Notebooks and Interactive Google Slides are also included!
★UPDATE 7/19 - Curriculum now includes The Stone Age | Early Humans | Archaeology Resources!
**2/23 Sample PACING GUIDES now also included, along with binder resources to organize all your entire curriculum!
The Ancient Civilizations Curriculum contains the following 9 Bundles:
(Editable Google Docs & Print)
- (Digital Google Slides & Print)
-Reading Passage Bundle (TpT Digital Activity Google Classroom & Print Versions)
-Interactive Notebook Bundle (Digital Google Slides & Print Versions)
-Interactive PowerPoint Bundle (PPT & Google Slides Versions)
-STEM / STEAM Challenges Bundle (TpT Digital Activity Google & Print Versions)
-Google Classroom Projects Bundle (Google Slides)
-Board Games for Review (Digital & Print)
(Editable PPT & PDF)
Check out the aligned bundles and their descriptions below! EVERYTHING is included in this resource
Here is a more in-depth look at each of the Interactive Notebook units:
The Stone Age Unit
The Stone Age, Paleolithic Period, Mesolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Hominids, hom*o Habilis, hom*o Erectus, hom*o Sapiens, Hunter-gatherer Lifestyle and Societies, Archaeology, Archaeologists, The Leakey Family, Lucy, Donald Johanson, the Turkana Boy, Domestication, Agriculture, Climate Change
Ancient Mesopotamia Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: Sumer, Sumerian life, city-states, ziggurats, cuneiform, Hammurabi's Code, the Epic of Gilgamesh, fertile crescent, theocracy, nomadic life, Sumerian hierarchy, and more.
Ancient Egypt Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: Mummification, Egyptian Society and Hierarchy, Pharaohs, the invasion of the Hyksos, the Old, Middle, & New Kingdom, Nile River, Hieroglyphics, Hieratic Script (shortened version), Pyramids of Giza, Bureaucracy, Vizier, War-Chariots, Menes, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Tutankhamen, Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, Ramses III, Akhenaten, Red Lands, Black Lands
Ancient Israel Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: monotheism, the ten lost tribes, Israelites, nomads, prophets, Hebrews, Judaism, the First Temple, The Torah, Moses, Yahweh, King Solomon, wisdom, King David, Abraham, The Promised Land
Ancient India Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: Harappan Period, Indus Valley Civilization, Hinduism, Rajas, Aryans, Sanskirt, Aryans, the Caste System, Varnas, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras, the Untouchables, Ganesha, Other Gods & Goddesses, Reincarnation, Monsoon, Karma, Dharma, Buddhism, Hinduism, Nirvana, The Pillar, The Stupa, The Rock Chamber, Siddhartha Gautama, and more
Ancient China Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: dynasties, aristocracy, oracle bones, bureaucracy, bronze casting, bronze age, golden age, philosophers, Mandate of Heaven, taotie mask, emperors, Terracotta Army, Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, warlords, Analects, The Great Wall, Huang River Valley, Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, Confucius, Laozi, The Great Wall, The Silk Road
Ancient Greece Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: Minoan & Mycenaean Civilizations, The Dark Ages, Homer, Epic Poetry, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Greek Mythology & Religion, Olympics, Olympia, Theatre, Tragedies, Comedies, Polis (City-States), Athenians, Spartans, The Peloponnesian War, Socratic Method, Greek Philosophers, Democracy, Oligarchy, Geography of Greece, and more.
Ancient Rome Unit
Topics covered in this unit include: Etruscan and Greek Influence of Rome, The Roman Republic, Roman Social Hierarchy, Twelve Tables, Law of Nations, Triumvirates, Dictators & Julius Caesar, The Punic Wars (First, Second, Third), Roman Law (and its influence on law today), The Collapse of Roman Republic, The Roman Empire, Roman Architecture & Other Contributions, Gladiators & Entertainment, The Spread of Christianity, The Decline & Fall of Rome (and all the theories why it collapsed)
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Ancient Civilization STEM & STEAM Challenges Bundle!
Cross-curricular challenges for students who are studying Ancient Civilizations!
The STEM Challenges include:
The Stone Age STEM Challenges
-Hunter-Gatherer Challenge
Using a list of supplies, students must design a basket or carrying device that can hold as much weight as possible...
******Information page and more instructions are found in the resource
-The Archaeologist's Tool Kit Challenge
Using a list of supplies, students must create 3 tools that would be useful for an archaeologist...
Ancient Mesopotamia STEM Challenges
-Ziggurat Marble Run Challenge
Using a list of supplies, students must design a Ziggurat structure that contains a marble run track. The goal of the stem challenge is to create a design that has the longest properly-functioning marble run track. The marble run can travel up, down, around, or inside the Ziggurat structure. (more instructions are given in the resource)
-Cuneiform Coding Challenge
Students must decide on symbols that represent each letter of the alphabet. They must create an answer key of their symbols that correlate with the letters A-Z. Using a sharp pencil as a stylus, students will carve their symbols into their tablet, creating a coded message.
Ancient Egypt STEM Challenges
-Mummified Apples in Caponic Jars Challenge!
Using a list of supplies, students must first design four canopic jars.
Using 4 slices of apple, students must test different mixtures using salt, baking soda, vinegar, and sugar. Out of the 4 slices, they must have a control group (no ingredients used on the apple) to measure the mummification process.
-Toothpick Pyramid Challenge Using a list of supplies, students must design either a freestanding square or rectangular pyramid. The goal of the challenge is to design the tallest pyramid in the shortest amount of time.
Ancient Israel STEM Challenges
-Masada Challenge
Using a list of supplies, students must engineer a model of Masada. Their model must contain the Western and Eastern Palaces. They can be as creative as they would like in their design, but it must have three levels.
Ancient India STEM Challenges
-Ancient Irrigation System Challenge!
Because of monsoons in the Indus Valley Civilization, the ancient people of India had to figure out a way to save the water for the remainder of the year for their crops. In this challenge, students must design a model of an ancient irrigation system by selecting one (using a page in the resource). They must use their knowledge of simple machines by incorporating either a lever or pulley system in their design.
-Protect the Stupa from a Monsoon Challenge!
Students must protect a stupa from flooding due to a monsoon. Materials must be added around the fence to protect water from entering the stupa.
Ancient China STEM Challenges
-The Great Wall of China Zipline!
Using a list of supplies, students must engineer a model of the Great Wall of China. The list of supplies are not required in this challenge, they are just suggestions on what they can use. Their wall must have at least two guard towers. ****More instructions are found in the resource
-Ancient Instruments: Erhu and Ruan Challenge!
Using a list of supplies and an information page, students must design either an erhu or ruan instrument. The instrument must be able to produce sound and the strings must produce a variety of pitches. ******More instructions are found in the resource
Ancient Greece STEM Challenges
-Chariot Challenge!
Using a list of supplies, students must engineer a model of a chariot. The chariot must have functioning wheels where the contraption can be pulled around while the wheels spin. They have one hour to complete this challenge. ******Information page and more instructions are found in the resource
-Catapult Challenge!
Students must design a catapult. Students can decide to create a cross-bow style catapult or a stone-hurling catapult.
Ancient Rome STEM Challenges
-Roman Aqueduct Challenge!
Using a list of supplies, students must create an aqueduct that can transport water from one location to another.
-Roman Roads Maze Run!
Using a list of supplies, students must design a shoe-box marble maze that is inspired from the roads that the Romans engineered. The design must contain at least 6 tunnels and a bridge.
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Ancient Civilizations Reading Passages Bundle!
Unit 1: The Stone Age Reading Passages
1.)The Earliest Humans and the Stone Age
-Overview of the Stone Age timeline: Three Phases - Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age)
Keywords: Stone Age, Paleolithic Period, Mesolithic Period, Neolithic Period, hom*o Habilis (handy man), hom*o Erectus (upright man), hom*o Sapiens (intelligent man)
2.)Archaeology and Important Findings
-Overview of Archaeology and the role of an archaeologist.
-Discoveries of artifacts (human-made objects) and fossils (human teeth, skull, and bones) and the discovery of how prehistoric people live.
-Louis and Mary Leakey
-1974 – Discovery of Lucy in Africa
-1978 – Laetoili site in Tanzania, hominid footprints preserved in volcanic ash
-1984 – Richard Leakey finds a nearly complete skeleton of a hom*o erectus boy
3.)The Tools and Artifacts of the Stone Age
-Brief overview of how the early humans learned to make and control fire, as well as other important tools and discoveries. New technology and tools allowed for more control over their environment.
-The use of fire
-The use of wooden spears
-Prehistoric clothing created with fur, leaves, leather, or grass approx 200,000 BC
-sewing needles approx.. 30,000BC (made of tiny bones and ivory)
-Early humans also created hunting bows, drills, axes, awls (pierces holes in wood and leather)
- Utilized and experimented with bone, ivory, antler, and stone.
4.)Hunters, Gatherers, and Early Societies
-Overview of lifestyle – hunter and gatherers were nomads. In their nomadic lifestyle, they migrated and followed animals to hunt.
They lived in small bands (20-50 people, including children), made up of several families.
Keywords: hunters, gatherers, small bands, migration
5.)Climate Change, Domestication of Animals, and Agriculture
-Overview of how global warming/climate change melted the ice glaciers, allowing early humans to move to new areas.
-Overview of domestication of animals
Approx. 8000-9000 BC – learned to domesticate animals and grow plants, modifying their environment to address their needs
Sheep and goats 9000BC – raised them for clothes and food
-milk and meat products as well as clothing and shelter with skin. Used bones for weapons, needles, and other tools
-Overview of Agriculture
-Irrigation – African farmers along the Nile were the first to use irrigation, built canals
Keywords: domestication, global warming, climate change, settlements, slash-and-burn agriculture, agricultural revolution, agriculture
Unit 2: Ancient Mesopotamia
Topics covered in this resource include:
1.) Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent
Keywords:nomad, fertile crescent, hunter-gatherer
2.) Sumerian Life
Keywords:ziggurat, empire, city-states, polytheistic
3.) The Code of Hammurabi
Keywords:Theocracy, stele
4.) Cuneiform
-when and how it was first used
-tools and materials needed for writing
-how it changed society
Keywords:cuneiform, tablet, reed, stylus
5.) The Epic of Gilgamesh
-earliest form of literature
- description of independent stories that make a combined epic
-overview of the stories
-who is Gilgamesh? Was he a living person or a fictional character? (According to scholars, he probably was real. The legends that are in the Epic of Gilgamesh are greatly exaggerated and fictional, but a man named Gilgamesh may have existed.)
Keywords:immortality, epic, heroic
Unit 3: Ancient Egypt
Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:
1.) The Two Lands of Ancient Egypt
-covers the layout of Ancient Egypt (Upper and Lower Egypt)
-flow of the Nile River
-black lands (fertile soil) and red lands (barren soil)
Keywords:Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Nile River, Black Lands, Red Lands
2.) Society & Social Structure of Ancient Egypt
-covers the social hierarchy (Pharaoh, Viziers/Priests/Nobles, Scribes, Merchants/Craftspeople, and Peasants/Servants)
-description of daily life and society
-influential pharaohs like Menes, Hatshepsut, and Ramses II
Keywords:Pharaoh, bureaucracy, vizier
3.) The Three Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt
-Ancient Egypt is divided into the three time periods (the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom)
-significant events highlighted that occurred in each period. (Pyramids of Giza built during the beginning of the Old Kingdom)
Keywords:Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, dynasty, Pyramids of Giza
4.) Mummification
-description of the process in detail
Keywords: Ka, amulets, canopic jars
5.) Hieroglyphics & Hieratic Script
-description of each writing style and their differences
-the tools used to write
-description of how the Rosetta Stone assisted with the translation of hieroglyphics
Power Words: hieratic script, hieroglyphics, Rosetta Stone
Unit 4: Ancient Israel
Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:
1.) The History of Ancient Israel
-description of 1,200 BC, when the Israelites first came to Canaan
-How the Israelities established their nation - Solomon later becomes King and builds the First Temple in Jerusalem
-after the death of King Solomon – kingdom splits into the northern and southern kingdoms
Power Words: Monotheism, prophets, nomad, Hebrews, Judaism
2.) Migrating to Egypt & The Enslavement of the Israelites
- describes how the drought caused the Israelites to migrate after an extreme scarcity of food
-describes the enslavement in Egypt by a pharaoh until Moses frees them
3.) History of Judaism
-description of how it developed among ancient Hebrews, that eventually became a world religion
-describes how it later influenced Christian and Islamic religions of today
Keywords: First Temple, The Torah
4.) The Wisdom of King Solomon
-description of his reign over Israel during their Golden Age
-how he composed songs and proverbs
-great achievements, such as building the temple in Jerusalem
Keywords to include: The First Temple
5.) The Promised Land
-description of the land of Canaan
-area was rich in natural resources
Unit 5: Ancient India
1.) The Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India
-Describes lifestyle, society, and inventions (drainage system, iron plow, and Sanskrit writing system)
-Describes how the winter and summer monsoons (seasonal winds) impacted their farming
-(also known as Harappan Civilization or Period)
-Describes the four major varnas (social categories) in Aryan society role in economy and daily life, also building around a river valley similar to Ancient Mesopotamia’s Fertile Crescent)
Keywords: Sanskrit, Aryans, monsoon
2.) The Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama
-Describes his upbringing (born a prince) and his awareness of the pain of others compared to his privileged existence.
-His quest for enlightenment (sitting under the bodhi tree and meditation) becoming awakened
-What he learned and his teachings
-interesting/fun facts
Power Words: Buddhism, Bodhi tree (fig tree)
3.) Caste System In Ancient India
-Description of the four major varnas (social categories) in Aryan society
(Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras) and what their daily lives consisted of
-Describes Jati (how Caste is determined by birth)
-Describes who the Untouchables were
Power Words: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras, Caste System, Untouchables
4.) Hinduism and Buddhism: A Comparison
-Describes the important components of Hinduism (karma, reincarnation, dharma, gods & goddesses)
-Describes the important concepts of Buddhism
-Compares and contrasts the two religions
Keywords: reincarnation, karma, dharma, nirvana
5.) Advancements in Ancient India
-Contributions to astronomy
- Documents the occurrences of eclipses, the Earth’s circumference, and even theories about gravitational pull.
-Building of religious structures, pillars, stupas, and rock chambers
Keywords: pillar, stupa, rock chamber, gravitational pull, astronomy
Unit 5: Ancient China
Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:
1.) Ancient China Civilization: Dynasties & History
-Contains overview of Ancient China's history and description of dynasties.
-Xia Dynasty - describes how little information was recorded during this time period
-Shang Dynasty -describes the Bronze Age and first recorded history
-Golden Age description during the Zhou Dynasty - philosophers and great thinkers such as Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius
-Qin Dynasty, describes political period and Legalism
Keywords: Legalism, Golden Age, Bronze Age, Huang River Valley, Dynasties
2.) The Bronze Age of Ancient China
-describes when it began and the types of materials used to create tools, weapons, decorative items, etc. that were created.
-description of spiritual beliefs and focus during this time – communicating with oracle bones / taotie masks to ward off evil spirits.
bronze casting, oracle bones, taotie masks
3.) The Great Wall of China
-describes how it was designed to stop northern invaders (Mongols) from invading
-describes structure and length, facts
-describes how it was successful in keeping invaders out but many workers died while creating the wall
-compares to other past and present “walls” in society
Great Wall, laborer, watch tower, beacon towers, and fortresses
4.) The Silk Road
-describes the routes and how traders used it
-Chinese merchants exported silk, spices, tea, and other goods
-describes the hazards that traders faced along the way (dangers of robbers, bad weather, illness, lack of water)
-How goods were transported (in caravans)
-The cultural impact that the Silk Road had to Ancient China (New religions were discovered: Buddhism movements ) New technologies and other useful information discussed and traded
caravan, silk, Zhang Qian
5.) Ancient and Contemporary Philosophies: Confucianism and Daoism
Describes Confucius and his beliefs and values (education and self-improvement)
-reinforcedThe Mandate of Heavenbelief
-Describes his bookThe Analectsand some of his famous quotes
-Describes Daoism and the teachings of Laozi
-Famous sayings ofLaozifrom Tao Te Ching
-Compares and contrasts the two philosophies
The Analects, The Mandate of Heaven, Daoism, Confucius, Confucianism
Unit 6: Ancient Greece
Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:
1.) The Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations of Ancient Greece
-Describes timelines, locations, and a brief overview of history of the two civilizations
Minoan Civilization (2700-1450 BC) on the Island of Crete
-Bronze Age Civilization
Mycenaean Civilization (1600-1100 BC) monarchies built on hills
-Comparison to past civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China)
-Describes Ancient Greece landscape – located on three bodies of water (Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Aegean Sea)
Keywords: Minoan, Mycenaean, monarchies, Bronze Age Civilization
2.) The Dark AgesDescribes daily life during the Dark Ages – Economy and society falling apart after the Bronze Age.
-Describes what might have caused the collapse
-Describes why historians referred to this period as the Dark Ages
3.) Ancient Greek Olympics
-Describes how it was a series of athletic competitions among city-states.
-held every four years, known as an “Olympiad”
-describes the Ancient Greek Olympic sports (chariot racing, discus, javelin, etc.)
-provides a comparison with present day Olympics
Keywords: Olympiad, Olympic Games, chariot
4.) Daily Life in Athens
-Describes daily life and structure of society for Athenians and City-States (Polis)
-Describes Athenian Government in 500 BC
-Describes political ideas and forward ways of thinking
Keywords: Polis, democracy, Athenian Assembly, oligarchy, democracy
5.) Spartan Warriors and the Peloponnesian War
-Physical fitness seen as highly important
-Forward thinking in some aspects – Spartan women were educated and had rights of owning property.
Unit 7: Ancient Rome
Quick overview of topics covered in this resource include:
1.) The Roman Republic & Daily Life
-Built on seven hills - Latins first came 1,000 BC, Rome was founded in 753 BC and became a Republic in 509 BC
-describes influences (Greeks and Etruscans)
-excelled with military and rose to power
-describes how they were able to maintain control and rule Italy
Keywords: Republic, Confederation, Triumvirate (during collapse)
2.) The Social Hierarchy of Ancient Rome
-Describes the hierarchy (Senators, Nobles & Patricians, Plebeians, Freedmen, and Slaves), including the two chief executive officers in Roman Republic (Consuls, Praetors)
Keywords: plebeians, consuls, praetors
3.) Roman Law and Its Influences
-Overview of system of government and laws
-describes how their ideas about laws and government influences our legal system today.
Keywords: Twelve Tables, Law of Nations, Roman Constitution, checks and balances
4.) The Punic Wars
-Overview of the First, Second, and Third Punic Wars
-Describes Hannibal Barca of Carthage and what made him an effective leader (great military strategist of all time, crossing of the Alps, the creativity of using war elephants)
Keywords: Punic Wars
5.) The Roman Empire -Describes how it was a period of great growth, wealth and trade (however, there was still an enormous disparity between rich and poor.)
-Describes daily life, entertainment, expansion, economy
Keyword: Pax Romana
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Ancient Civilizations Social Studies / History Interactive PowerPoint Bundle
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Ancient Civilizations / Ancient History for Google Classroom!
21 digital / paperless projects for your students!
6th Grade Ancient Civilizations Series
This product contains 24 digital projects for 8 units that students can complete using Google Slides! The 8 units include: The Stone Age, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Each of the 8 units has a brochure project, a timeline project, and an info-graphic / poster project.
Each student-centered project has a sample project, answer key, and detailed project instructions for the students.
Info-graphic / Poster Projects
Students pick a topic that they would like to research on with the specific unit. All of the elements in the info-graphic must be organized, clearly visible, and well placed. Creativity with color and photos is a must! **More instructions found in the resource
Timeline Projects
Using a template, students design a timeline of the important events in each unit. Students can add images, text, and other media to their timelines.
It is up to the teacher to add or change time periods that align with school resources.
Brochure Projects
Using templates, students design brochures that highlight important facts and topics
from the unit.
Ancient Civilizations Assessments Bundle - Tests
Editable with Answer Key!
These product contain 8 unit assessments that has vocabulary matching, fill in the blank, short answer, essay, mapping, and infographic material.
It also contains ANSWER KEYS and EDITABLE PowerPoint files.
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