Everyday Life in Ancient Civilizations: A WebQuest for Eighth Grade Students I

 Introduction

Have you ever wondered what life was like in ancient civilizations? What did people do for work, entertainment, and daily life thousands of years ago? This WebQuest invites you to explore the fascinating world of ancient civilizations, such as China, Egypt, Greece, India, Mesopotamia, and Rome. By researching and learning about the daily lives of these cultures, you will gain a deeper understanding of how their societies functioned and how their legacies continue to shape our world today. Your task will be to create an engaging animated explainer video to share your findings with your classmates.

The Task

In groups of six, you will focus on a specific ancient civilization and gather information about its daily life. You will investigate various aspects of life, including:

• The living conditions of the people
• Their clothing, food, and entertainment
• The education system and occupation opportunities

Using the information you gather, you will create a video (6 to 9 minutes long) that educates your peers on the everyday experiences of people in the ancient world. Be creative and use multimedia resources to make your video both informative and engaging.

The Process

1. Group Formation: Form groups of six students.
2. Topic Selection: Choose one of the following civilizations to explore:
• China
• Egypt
• Greece
• India
• Mesopotamia
• Rome
3. Research: Use the following resources to gather information about daily life in your chosen civilization:
• Ducksters: China
• St. Petersburg Times: Egypt
• Ancient Greece: Life
• History for Kids: India
• Ducksters: Mesopotamia
• Ducksters: Ancient Rome
4. Script Drafting: Write a draft of your script, ensuring that it is clear and informative. Review and practice it multiple times.
5. Recording: Record your video, making sure to edit and refine it until you are satisfied with the result.
6. Presentation: Present your video to the class, sharing what you have learned about everyday life in your chosen civilization.

Evaluation

Your project will be assessed based on a rubric that evaluates several key areas:

• Group Cooperation: How well did your group work together? Were tasks shared equally?
• Storyboard Completion: Did you complete and follow the storyboard effectively?
• Documentation: Did you properly cite your sources?
• Subject Content: How accurate and clear was the information presented in the video?
• Video Content and Organization: Was the video well-structured and did it stay on topic?
• Introduction: Did the video begin with a clear and engaging introduction?
• Mechanics: Were there grammar and spelling mistakes in your script and audio?
• Production Quality: Was the video edited well with appropriate transitions and graphics?

The rubric will provide clear feedback on your performance in these areas, and your group will receive a grade based on how well you meet the expectations.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your video project! By exploring everyday life in ancient civilizations, you have not only gained knowledge about the past but also developed skills in research, teamwork, and presentation. This WebQuest has provided you with a valuable opportunity to connect the ancient world with your present-day experiences, giving you a better understanding of human development and how it influences our daily lives today. Furthermore, by sharing your findings, you can help others learn about history in an interactive and creative way.

Credits & References

• Images and resources used for this WebQuest are credited to various educational websites.
• Evaluation rubric for the video project is adapted from a template available on The WebQuest Page.