Let your students be a part of history in this lesson that collaborates with the citizen science project Ancient Lives. This module allows students to be historians as they record and transcribe documents that have not been seen or read in 1000 years. Then students will create their own fictional historical narrative and create their own handmade paper.

• The Student will investigate the story behind Ancient Lives.
• The student will aid in the transcription of ancient documents.
• The student will use primary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.
• The student will cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary sources.

• The student will know the difference between a primary and secondary source.
• The student will create a fictional historical narrative.
• The student will describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
• During a peer assessment, the student will identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose.

• The student will understand cultural expressions of the past may be reflected in modern society in various ways.
• The student will understand art and culture create space for imagination, dialogue and interpretation. —artists are giving shape to reality – searching for alternative solutions and other values – a free society needs cultural innovation – art is also an aim in itself, as a mirror and interpreter of our existence.

• ancientlives.org

Lesson 1

NC Essential Standards

• 7.H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.

Common Core

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

Lesson 2

NC Essential Standards

• 7.H.1.1 Construct charts, graphs, and historical narratives to explain particular events or issues over time.
• 7.H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.

Common Core

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5 Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
• For peer assessment of student’s written account: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6 Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
• For extension of lesson (making hieroglyphics): CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

Lesson 3

NC Essential Standards

• 7.C.1.2 Explain how cultural expressions (e.g. art, literature, architecture and music) influence modern society.

Common Core

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.