Simulation of First Civilization – over 11,000 years ago!!!

HENSHELWOOD’S SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

by PETA HENSHELWOOD

DAY # 1

1st civilization ActivityStudents Trying to Survive

Independently –

This week the students explored the factors that contributed to the formation of the first civilization.  Students were transported back 11,000 years ago and had to undergo two different simulation experiences   – (1) independently then (1) within a  group society.  Through the simulated activities students were expected to find food, shelter and water to experience firsthand the hardship  of independent existence, then the relative ease of societal living.

Station 1: Water: The students had to use a spoon to carry water from the River (a large tub) to a cup on their desk. 

Station 2: Shelter: The students used construction paper, modeling clay and toothpicks to model a shelter that would protect them from the elements.

Station 3: Food :(farming) or (hunting): Farming: To farm, students needed to answer various farming questions,

have them marked, if all answers were correct, they were each given a seed (invisible seeds) to plant outside in the garden.  The students earned all 20 food units if they planted a seed.

Hunting: Students had to find 20 units of food to survive.  Slips of paper with food units printed on them were hidden around the room and the students had to ‘hunt’ for them until they had 20 food units. Just over half the students managed to successfully survive in the harsh

conditions of the budding civilization.

EXPLANATION OF SIMULATION

DID THEY ALL SURVIVE?

ASK YOUR CHILD, WHY WAS SURVIVING INDEPENDENTLY SO DIFFICULT?

DAY # 2

Day 2 - 1st Civilization ActivityStudents Trying to Survive as a Group

HENSHELWOOD SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

For the second simulation, the students engaged in the same

experience with a few amendments.  Station 1 Water:  Students selected 1 or 2 people in their

civilization to be inventors.  They would then construct a paper Pottery Wheel, which would have made a bowl in ancient times, they therefore were given a plastic bowl to use for carrying water from the river to fill the cups on their desks.

Station 2 Shelter: Only 1 student needed to build a shelter that would house all members in their civilization.

Station 3 Food: Only 1 students had to complete the Farming Question Sheet, then submit for marking.  If all answers were correct, all group members were credited with a seed to plant and received 20 food units each. 

All members of each civilization successfully survived!

The  students had a fantastic time engaging in these simulation experiences and learned a lot about Ancient civilizations.

DAY 2 – WORKING TOGETHER AS A CIVILIZATION

DID THEY ALL SURVIVE?

ASK YOUR CHILD, WHY LIVING IN A GROUP CIVILIZATION MADE SURVIVING MUCH EASIER?