As a culmination to their interdisciplinary study of ancient civilizations, fifth graders used their writing, teamwork, and creativity skills to create new civilizations in an expansive, student-led project completed over the course of five weeks. Relying on their knowledge of geography, economics, social structures, art, and history, students brought new worlds to life.

 

The fifth graders worked together in smalls groups to complete the project, for which they had to imagine a home for their civilization, form a government, create a religion, plan holidays, and build 3D models of artifacts and architecture. Their work, which in a normal year would have been displayed throughout school, was shared digitally as part of the move to Shipley Learns Online amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

 

Shipley’s fifth grade social studies program is designed to help students understand common elements of all cultures, appreciate the accomplishments and contributions of ancient civilizations, and develop a sense of historical perspective, while widening their view of the world through history. This work is foundational to becoming compassionate global citizens, as Shipley’s mission compels us to do.