Looking for ideas/resources: Ancient Science

[chfriend]

Dp is teaching a class on the science of ancient civilizations. What are your favorite stories and hands-on activities for 5-7s? I'm especially looking for anything from the Black Kingdoms & Nordic or Celtic stuff, 'cause it's not in this book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047...901423?ie=UTF8

But any ideas that your kids really enjoyed!

[chfriend]

C'mon....anybody? Any of you classical hsers have something cool in the "make your own bog person" like the mummy things? Anything like that? Metallurgy for beginners?

[Satori]

I know I saw a lot of stuff like that in SOTW Activity book Vol 1 last night, I'd say its worth it to spend the $20 to get a used copy.

[numom499]

yes, story of the world activity boook 1 has all kinds of activities, some of them science related. For example, when studying ancient egypt, you can mummify a chicken. there are also instructions on making bricks from sand, etc...

[SRHS]

there are books called "Science in Ancient __________" Books, we did Science in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome...when Zac was into those things...

[chfriend]

I have SOTW activity book and the book I mentioned. Nothing on the Nordic folks, Celts or the Black Kingdoms, so still pondering that.

What activities did your kids *most enjoy*?

[ShannonCC]

This is going to sound like an odd suggestion but try emailing your local Society for Creative Anachronism group for the Nordic and Celtic stuff. My Barony has a ton of Celts and some Nordic personas (not as many as Celts - we're swimming in Celts ). Let them know what you are looking for and maybe ask if there are any demos coming up you could go to, or anyone in the group who would be interested in passing on some links or information to you.

[UUMom]

The MIddle Ages SOTW II activity book has some of that.

[roomformore]

Originally Posted by chfriend

C'mon....anybody? Any of you classical hsers have something cool in the "make your own bog person" like the mummy things? Anything like that? Metallurgy for beginners?

I had to laugh out load at this. My best friend is the world's top expert on German bog bodies- seriously. She's in, you guessed it, Germany right now and won't be back til this weekend. I'd be happy to check with her for suggestions upon her return.

How about making sun dials? Make your own telescope (the rolled up paper and lens kind). Get out your cartonage kit and mummify a rodent. As far as I'm concerned- pottery is a science. Make clay dishes. You could make some leather jewelry. Wood carving... Um...will try think of more later.

Just curious- is the class for a homeschooling group? Sounds like fun to me!

[wonderactivist]

Hey, we enjoyed studying Nubia and there were some good science connections. I agree with the Science in Ancient... series of books - look for them in your local library or interlibrary loan them. There was a really good king story from Nubia...plus they say they invented beer and many of the other things previously attributed to the Egyptians - but since then we learned that there was beer in Mesopotamia!

Here's a site (the one I used is gone, but the crown-making instructions are the same - at page bottom)
http://www.thenubian.net/splendor.php

The simple machines are always a good tie-in to the ancients, at early ages, you can just have them experience them through see-saws and other toys:
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/simmach.html

Best wishes,

Lucie

[chfriend]

Yes! Yes! This is exactly what I'm looking for! Loving the ideas (Shannon, my house is swimming Celts, but that another story) Hurray for the Nubians! Sundials, yes! Keep it coming!

eta: Yes, it's for our local hs "enrichment coop"

[chfriend]

still looking for more ideas...