It's All Greek (and Roman or Chinese) to Me:
Digging Up Ancient Cultures
By Jeanette Larson
Books to Share
Adventures with the Vikings by Linda Bailey
The Dirt on Dirt by Paulette Bourgeois
The Emperor's Army by Virginia Walton Pilegard
Rumi: Whirling Dervish by Demi
Books to Show or Booktalk
The Ancient Greeks by Allison Lassieur
The Chinese Thought of It by Ting-xing Ye
How to Be a Roman Soldier by Fiona MacDonald
If Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge by Marc Aaronson
In Search of a Homeland: The Story of the Aeneid by Penelope Lively
The Sirens of Surrentum by Caroline Lawrence
Troy by Ann Kerns
Bulletin Board
Use a site like NOVA Online's Write Your Name in Viking Runes, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html, to spell words like library, reading, books, and summer in runes. Copy the runes onto construction paper and post on the bulletin board. Add pictures of ancient boats, weapons, jewelry, etc., to encourage the children to read about ancient cultures.
Refreshments
Serve Greek food like hummus and pita chips, yogurt, and baklava. These foods, still enjoyed today, were also eaten by the ancient Greeks.
Dance and Movement Songs
Invite a belly dance group to demonstrate this ancient form of folk dance, popular in Greece and other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures.
Reader's Theater
The Magic Brocade
Use the script available from Aaron Shepard's RT Page, http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE26.html, to share this story from ancient China.
Puppet Plays
The Golden Touch
Use the script for "The Golden Touch" available in Amazingly Easy Puppet Plays by Dee Anderson to present a puppet show on the Greek myth about King Midas and his daughter.
Crafts
Mosaic Tiles
Materials
- Construction paper, various colors
- Pictures of mosaics from Pompeii and other ancient cultures
- White construction paper
- Brown or black construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Pencils
- Scissors
Photograph by Jeanette Larson; used with permission.
Directions
Mosaics were originally made from glass pieces but for this project, in advance, cut pieces of construction paper into small squares, about ½" by ½". Place each separate color in to a dish or other container. Also in advance cut the white construction paper in half so that each child will have a square or rectangular piece for their "tile." Show the children illustrations of mosaics from Pompeii, Roman and Greek ruins, and other ancient cultures. Some examples can be found in books or online from BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/mosaics_gallery.shtml. Give a sheet of construction paper to each child. Sketch a design on the paper, filling the square with the design with a border. Use the glue sticks to adhere the mosaic pieces onto the paper to create the mosaic. When the design is complete, affix the "tile" to a larger sheet of brown or black construction paper to create a frame. Display the art or allow the children to take their piece home. Alternatively, for a more realistic looking mosaic, purchase glossy craft paper or origami paper instead of construction paper. The shiny finish mimics mosaic tiles.
Bullas
Materials
- Cardboard
- Aluminum foil
- Embellishments (foil stars, adhesive gems, stickers, trim, glitter)
- Yarn or cord
- Craft glue
- Hole punch
Directions
In advance, cut circles out of cardboard for each child or a die cut. Give each child a circle and a square of aluminum foil large enough to cover the circle. Cover the circle with foil. Punch a hole in the circle. Apply embellishments such as stickers, gems, sequins, glitter, and foil stars. Cut a length of yarn or cord to fit the child. Thread the bulla onto the cord through the hole. Tie and wear. The bulla is an amulet given to children in Rome right after their birth. It was worn to protect them until they married or achieved adulthood.
Games and Activities
Volcanic Eruption
Demonstrate the power of a volcanic eruption by creating a science fair volcano. Use clay to form a cone around a jar. Place the cone and jar in a large plastic pan or on a baking pan that has a lip around the edge (to hold the "lava" when it flows). Fill the jar almost full with warm water. Squirt a couple squirts of liquid dish detergent into the water. Add red food coloring for a more dramatic effect. Pour in a large scoop of baking soda (don't try to use baking powder). When you are ready to make the volcano erupt, pour vinegar into the cone.
The Earth Moves
Use the activity in The Dirt on Dirt by Paulette Bourgeois to demonstrate how earthquakes happen. Wrap sandpaper around two blocks of wood and nail the sandpaper in place. Press the blocks together and show how the pieces hold together. Push harder so that the force of your pushing causes the "plates" to slip, much as happens in an earthquake.
Web-Based Activities
Make a Simple Mosaic
http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/mosaic/easy.htm
This online site allows users to create a mosaic picture.
The Mysteries of Çatalhöyük
http://www.smm.org/catal/
This site offers games and activities related to excavations and exploration at this ancient Turkish city. Try playing the Excavation Game to test your skills at finding hidden artifacts.
Odyssey Online
http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/index.html
Explore the ancient worlds, including Greece and Rome, through factual information and games.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/
The official site for Rick Riordan's popular series provides games, downloads, and a guide to the books and mythology.
Write in Runes
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html
This site from the PBS series, NOVA, invites users to write their names, or any other word, in Viking runes.
Web 2.0
Cultural Trading Cards
Use an online program like ReadWriteThink's Character Trading Cards site, http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/trading_cards/, to let the children create character trading cards based on the civilizations they have read about. They can use the Internet to find appropriate photography to upload to their card and type information into the program about their character. Print extra copies of completed cards for trading.
DVDs/Films
The Adventures of Walker and Ping Ping: The Great Wall (25 minutes)
"Dear Vikings" on SpongeBob SquarePants: Viking-Sized Adventure (88 minutes)
Gods and Heroes of Greece and Rome (42 minutes)
Hercules (93 minutes)
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (120 minutes)
Pompeii Secrets Revealed (50 minutes)
Websites
Percy Jackson Celebration Kit
http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/downloads/Percy_jackson_Celebration_kit.html
This kit provides materials and resources for a store celebration but the games and party ideas are adaptable for libraries.
Volcano Hazards Program Webcams
http://volcanoes.usgs.govimages/webcams.php
This US government site provides images and links to webcams focused on several active volcanoes in the United States.