Journey Through Time: Build Your Own Civilization

10th Grade Project 2 weeks

Journey Through Time: Build Your Own Civilization

Olga Alvarez

1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in a creative exploration of language and history by having them invent and develop a fictional civilization. Through this process, students will apply their knowledge of the past tense in Spanish to articulate the cultural practices, historical events, and technological advancements of their civilization. This project aims to deepen students' understanding of language structure while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. By integrating real-world learning experiences, students will gain a comprehensive appreciation of how language shapes and reflects societal developments.

Learning goals

Students will demonstrate proficiency in using the past tense in Spanish by creating detailed narratives and presentations about their invented civilizations. They will develop critical thinking and creativity by designing unique cultural practices, social structures, and historical events. Students will enhance their collaboration and communication skills through peer reviews, mentorship interactions, and public exhibitions. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of how civilizations adapt and evolve by exploring environmental and technological influences in their projects.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.10.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.10.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
ACTFL - Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive portfolio showcasing their invented civilization, including a written narrative, digital timeline, and interactive artifacts. They will also produce a dramatized skit or monologue in Spanish, highlighting a pivotal historical moment. The final exhibition will feature multimedia presentations and creative storytelling, allowing students to present their civilizations in an engaging and immersive manner.

Launch

Kick off the project with an immersive 'Civilization Creation Workshop' where students collaborate in small groups to brainstorm and sketch the initial concepts of their invented civilizations, focusing on cultural practices, key events, and social structures. Subsequently, organize a 'Past Tense Adventure Day' where students participate in interactive stations designed to explore different elements of civilization building, such as creating a language, developing a mythology, and inventing technologies, all while practicing past tense in Spanish. This dynamic launch sets the stage for creativity and language application, engaging students from the outset.

Exhibition

Organize a vibrant 'Civilization Showcase' where students create immersive booths representing their invented civilizations, complete with artifacts, costumes, and multimedia elements. Invite parents, peers, and community members to explore these interactive displays, encouraging them to ask questions and engage with the students' work. Additionally, host a 'Time Traveler's Gala' where students perform creative storytelling and dramatizations in Spanish, each group presenting a pivotal moment from their civilization's history through skits or monologues, highlighting their language skills and historical creativity.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Civilization Creation Workshop: Students collaborate in groups to brainstorm and outline the main features of their invented civilization, including cultural practices, key historical events, and social structures, using concept maps and sketches.	Past Tense Adventure Day: Students rotate through interactive stations focused on developing a language, creating a mythology, and inventing technologies for their civilization, practicing past tense in Spanish throughout.	Language Lab Session: Conduct a session where students practice converting sentences from present to past tense in Spanish. Use examples related to their civilization's daily life and cultural practices.	Creative Writing Clinic: Guide students in drafting narratives that describe key events in their civilization's history, emphasizing the use of past tense to convey historical context.	Peer Review Session: Facilitate a peer review where students share their narrative drafts with classmates for feedback on past tense usage and historical coherence.
Deliverables	1. Initial Concept Map and Sketch of Civilization: Each group submits a detailed concept map and sketches outlining the main features of their civilization. 2. Draft Narrative: Students complete a draft narrative detailing key events in their civilization's history, using past tense.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials for the Civilization Creation Workshop, including large sheets of paper, markers, and printed templates for concept maps. 2. Set up Past Tense Adventure Day stations with materials and prompts for language creation, mythology development, and technology invention. 3. Compile resources for the Language Lab Session, including worksheets with sentence conversion exercises and examples. 4. Develop guidelines and rubrics for the Creative Writing Clinic to support students in drafting their narratives. 5. Organize a schedule and feedback forms for the Peer Review Session, ensuring each student receives input from peers.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Critique and Revision Workshop: Students participate in a peer review session, exchanging feedback on their civilization narratives, focusing on past tense accuracy and historical coherence. Follow this with a revision workshop to refine their drafts.	Digital Timeline Creation: Students develop a digital timeline or map that outlines the major events and geographical changes in their civilization, using past tense to describe each significant development.	Dramatization Rehearsal: Collaborate with a local theater group to rehearse a short skit or monologue depicting a key event from their civilization's history, focusing on storytelling and past tense usage.	Reflective Circle Discussion: Conduct a reflective circle where students share insights on their civilization's cultural practices, using past tense to discuss historical impacts and receive feedback from peers and mentors.	Final Exhibition Preparation: Students set up interactive booths for the 'Civilization Showcase,' organizing artifacts, costumes, and multimedia elements. They practice their presentations in Spanish, preparing for the exhibition.
Deliverables	1. Revised Narrative: Submit a polished version of their civilization narrative, incorporating feedback and ensuring accurate past tense usage. 2. Digital Timeline or Map: Complete a digital representation of their civilization's historical events and geographical changes. 3. Skit or Monologue Script: Finalize the script for their dramatization, ensuring it highlights a significant historical moment and utilizes past tense effectively. 4. Exhibition Booth Setup: Prepare and arrange all materials for the 'Civilization Showcase,' including artifacts, costumes, and multimedia components.
Preparation	1. Organize materials and guidelines for the Critique and Revision Workshop, including feedback forms and revision checklists. 2. Set up access to digital tools and resources for students to create their timelines or maps, providing technical support as needed. 3. Coordinate with the local theater group to schedule rehearsals and provide scripts and feedback for the skits or monologues. 4. Prepare prompts and structure for the Reflective Circle Discussion, guiding students in articulating their insights in past tense. 5. Ensure all resources and equipment for the 'Civilization Showcase' are available, including display tables, projectors, and sound systems.