Become A Sumerian Brick Builder

If you're searching for a novel approach to teach your middle schoolers about ancient history, the Become a Sumerian Brick Builder will surely captivate them. This resource provides a hands-on STEM activity that is engaging, stimulating, and enjoyable.

Explaining to my 6th grade students that the Sumerians were pioneers in brick building made little sense to them until they experienced it firsthand. They were tasked with creating their own mud bricks just as the ancient Sumerians did, and this tangible exercise enabled them to appreciate the intricate challenges these early brick builders faced. They delighted in bringing their homemade bricks to class and collaboratively constructing a Ziggurat. Their most favorite part, unsurprisingly, was the demolition of their creation.

Rather than merely giving lectures, assigning textbook readings, and having students answer questions — which can be dull and off-putting — this activity stimulates active learning. The project incorporates a written assignment that students complete independently, which can be utilized for both History and English Language Arts grading.

We are all aware that many students forget learned material shortly after they've been tested on it. This interactive project, however, is bound to leave a lasting impression, instilling knowledge they will carry with them long after they leave your class.

Experts in the field underscore the benefits of project-based learning (PBL), stating that it is an effective and enjoyable way to acquire important skills needed for school and life success. While traditional education can often be viewed as dull and irrelevant, PBL engages students, making them active learners. Standards like Common Core stress the real-world application of knowledge and skills to enhance problem-solving capabilities. PBL not only deepens students' understanding of the content but also aids in longer retention compared to conventional teaching methods. Additionally, working in collaboration with others fosters character development.

⎈ I REMEMBER sitting in history class, as a student, and being bored out of my mind. The teacher just lectured and all I could do was look at the clock and wish that I was someplace else, ANYPLACE else!  Needless to say I learned very little that year. I only began liking ancient history after I became a 6th grade teacher, years later, and vowed that I would make it come alive for my children. I didn't want them to go through what I did.  That negative experience gave me the impetus to use PBL learning in most of my teaching and I’m so glad I did.

⎈THIS RESOURCE can be used for⎈

⎈ Gifted students

⎈ Middle school

⎈ World History classes/ELA classes

☼ Lighting the path to knowledge with enticing and exciting activities that they'll remember long after they've left your classroom ☼

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Copyright©2016 Deann Marin (Socrates Lantern)