Civilizations

A lot of our third grade social studies core is about understanding civilizations. I learned in my trainings with Scott Flox to start the year discussing the building blocks of civilizations with my students. I continue referring back to these building blocks as the year progresses. A few weeks ago I read the book Westlandia to my students. Then I broke them up into groups to create their own civilization.

I have a list of requirements/questions that I gave to each group. They had to discuss each one and then write about it. When each group finished the writing part of the project they made a visual representation of their civilization to share with the rest of the class. They then presented their civilizations to the class.