Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Unit 4: Early World Civilizations Celebration Ideas

Now we are up to Unit 4 in our Amplify Knowledge series, Early World Civilizations!

This is the first history unit of the year, so it is a bit of a switch in their thinking. They are used to hearing stories, and this unit has those. However, they are more of a realistic fiction, based on facts from these ancient civilizations. 

These are the activities I have used to enhance their understanding, and boost engagement!

Civilization Chart

I use the image cards from the program to build a giant civilization chart on our Knowledge wall. 

This is a great way to keep them talking about the concepts throughout the day, and it helps when they create their own civilization chart!

Civilization Chart Book

This year I am going to have them make their own civilization chart book. 

It will have a feature on one side, and columns for the 2 civilizations. There are other options included in the set as well, some with just illustrations, or just as a 2 page activity for each civilization.

I also included Venn diagrams to help when we are comparing the differences between Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. 

Ambience

I've mentioned in the other Knowledge posts, how much I love using photo backdrops, and this one is one of my favorites! 

Here is a link to all the backdrops I use throughout the year!

I also used Kitpas to decorate our window - they wash off with a bit of soap and water. I drew a pyramid, palm tree and...per my classes request - the Nile River!

                        

*Please note, all links are Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for your support!

Flyovers

Here are 2 Egypt flyover videos we watched in the morning, during snack, and quite work time. 

They are very relaxing during writing blocks too!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-DmPpf1Vc

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3GNyvo_bdI

Google Earth

I always like to have our Google Earth locations ready beforehand. It saves a lot of time, and they really do provide background knowledge into what the land and buildings look like in each region we study.

If you'd like a copy of this free doc, click here.

Art

My class made some beautiful illustrations of ziggurats and pyramids, and of course I forgot to take pictures. Celebration days are a lot of fun - but they can be a bit chaotic!

Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt books 

These are the additional read alouds I used throughout the unit.

Here are 6 books my students enjoyed throughout this unit:

• DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Civilizations

• DK Eyewitness Books: Mesopotamia

• Hands-On History Mesopotamia

• Ancient Egypt for Kids

• Ancient Egypt: 59 Fascinating Facts For Kids

• National Geographic Kids Readers: Ancient Egypt

The Hands-On History Mesopotamia book has a lot of crafts that I want to try out this year.

Now onto our celebration day! These are the activities I used to review, reinforce and just have fun with this unit!

The program recommends the book Gilgamesh the King. My students enjoyed it so much that I purchased the sequels too!

Gilgamesh the King

The Revenge of Ishtar

The Last Quest of Gilgamesh

Cuneiform

I wanted to make sure they had a chance to try each type of writing, since they were such a focal point in the lessons. 

This was our first writing station. Using toothpicks and Play-Doh, they had to try to write cuneiform letters, or their names.

The toothpicks were a bit hard to use, so I'm going to try golf tees next year!

Hieroglyphics

Next was the hieroglyphics table, where they used the Fun with Hieroglyphics kit on paper that looks like papyrus! 

This one was a lot of fun - but I will definitely use washable ink pads next time!

                                          

I also used Amplify's hieroglyphics key and made a message for my students to decode. Click here if you would like a copy!

Buildings

No celebration day is complete without a hands-on station! I put out a variety of hands-on tools, and they go are able to create any structure that inspired them in that unit. 

loose parts

geometric shape building set

and dominoes

They really enjoyed creating the different pyramids, ziggurats and more things they learned about throughout the unit. We even had a few tombs!

Masks

The pharaohs’ headdress mask was a huge hit.  We use yarn to tie ours on and it held up really well! 

Next year I will definitely prep the yarn ahead of time - maybe even the hole punches too!

How to Draw

No celebration is complete for my artistic class without a how to draw table! 

We watched this YouTube video  as a class that morning, and I also had it running again on the ClearTouch during our celebration.

I setup our drawing table with how to draw pyramids, sphinx, Anubis, an Egyptian cat, Giza, and King Tut! 

All of these amazing step by steps are from  easydrawingguides.com.  

                           

The pockets allow them to trace onto vellum if they prefer, instead of drawing.

Coloring table

A coloring table is another must have station!

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids had some amazing coloring pages and activities we used throughout the unit too!

Egyptian toys 

We used these Egyptian toys during our read alouds, morning arrival time and our celebration too! I got two sets, so we have enough for everyone.

They always get so excited when they hear the read aloud that teaches them what each one is!

Egyptian Photo Props

                         

Lastly, I got the Egyptian photo props, and my class had such a great time using them!

We got some super cute pictures to share with their families from them!

I hope you found some useful ideas that you can use with your class!

Don't miss the other posts in this series!

• Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Unit 1: Fables and Stories - Celebration Ideas
• Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Unit 2: The Human Body - Celebration Ideas
• Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Unit 3: Different Lands, Similar Stories
• Amplify Grade 1 Knowledge Unit 5: Early American Civilizations Celebration Ideas