Farmer home : Mayan Civilisation Grade 7 with Learning Difficulties Materials: paint, cardboard, twigs, leaf matter and Blu-Tac

I love history. Yes, it is as simple as that. Did I always love history? No. What then changed my opinion?

I have to say that it was a mystery which started it all. I was fascinated by a television show which aired when I was about 5 years old and I remembered it (although by the wrong title) until my childhood. Such an impression this series had that the moment it was released on DVD - I rushed out and purchased it so I could relive my childhood. The series I am writing about was Mysterious Cities of Gold. Yes, I thought Zia was awesome and I wanted to be her! Not to mention the medallion that Esteban wore...ah, the memories.


Then I went to school...and my hate of history began. It was boring. I had no interest in what was being drilled into us and often couldn't connect. Once I was old enough though I dove into books and still to this day ancient civilisations in particular fascinate me.

I taught a composite grade 6/7 class a few years back and we did a unit on ancient civilisations, with a particular focus on buildings. To keep them involved that each got a little fold-together box (shoe boxes are getting very difficult to source on demand and quantity and this way all the boxes are the same).

I let the students use whatever materials we had available for them to create their model. It took about 4 lessons (50 mins each) to plan, collect materials and make the finished diorama.

Here are some of the results (in not specific order).

Temple : Ancient Greece Grade 7 Materials: paint, grass, cardboard, foam, straws

Chichen Itza : Mayan-Tolec Civilisation Year 7 Materials: paint, foam, toothpicks, wool

Viking Shelter : Scandinavia Year 7 Materials: paint, twigs, bark, grass, cardboard

Inca House : Inca Civilisation Year 6 Materials: paint, cardboard, rocks, sand