How Civilizations Stand the Test of Time

7th Grade History PBL Overview

page 1

Driving Question:

How have ancient civilizations changed over time? (Ancient, 1500s-1600s, 1950-Present)
GROUP explores ONE civilization:
* Mesopotamia
* Ancient Egypt
* Ancient India
* Ancient China

INDIVIDUALS explore ONE of the following components over each time period:
* Contributions (inventions, discoveries, concepts and ideas, etc.)
* Hierarchy (social classes)
* Government
* Religion
* Architecture

Learning Goals

History

21st Century
Skills

CYSO07.7.3.04 Evaluate the impact of the environment on civilization development and continuity.
CYSO07.8.4.01 Identify the characteristics of civilization.
CYSO07.8.4.02 Examine the development and accomplishments of ancient cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere.
CYSO07.8.4.03 Demonstrate an understanding of individuals and social classes.
CYSO07.8.4.03 Summarize the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups.

CYDAL.1.8.2 CREATIVITY- Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.

CYDAL.2.8.1 COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATION- Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety
of digital environments and media.
CYDAL.4.8.2 CRITICAL THINKING- Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
CYDAL.3.8.2 RESEARCH & INFORMATION FLUENCY- Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from
a variety of sources and media.

How Civilizations Stand the Test of Time

7th Grade History PBL Overview

page 2

NOVEMBER

Timeline

(Checkpoints will be
scheduled each FRIDAY
during History class, as well
as throughout the week in
SDAL.)

DECEMBER
12/2

11/13

Entry Event

11/14 (Even)

* Overview of PBL
* Choose groups &
topic

-AND-

11/17 (Odd)
11/18 (Even)
-AND-

11/19 (Odd)
11/20 (Even)
-AND-

11/21 (Odd)
11/24 (Even)
-AND-

11/25 (Odd)

JANUARY

(9th period in Auditorium)

Begin Team Project

Proposal

DUE: Completed
Team Project
Proposal
Individually review CSI
classroom notes & begin
online research

Continue individual review

of CSI classroom notes &
online research

-THROUGH-

12/9

* DUE: Individual
Research

12/8 (Even)
-AND-

* Shared & Verified with

History Teacher

12/9 (Odd)
12/10 (Even)

Critical Peers:
Source Verification

-AND-

12/11 (Odd)
12/12 (Even)
12/15 (Odd)
12/16-1/7 (Even)
-AND-

DUE: Group Project

(by end of class time)

1/8 (Odd)
1/9 (Even)
-AND-

1/12 (Odd)
1/13 (Even)
-AND-

1/14 (Odd)
-AND-

Critical Peers: Run through

Group Presentation
Revise Group
Project/Presentation

DUE: Group Project

(by midnight)

1/15 (Even)

Group Project Work Time

12/17-1/8 (Odd)

-AND-

1/14 (Odd)

Revise Individual
Research

-AND-

1/7 (Even)

1/15
-THROUGH-

1/23

DUE: Presentations
(All materials must be
brought to class.)

How Will I Be Graded?

* Online Learning Logs will provide a place for each student to reflect throughout the unit on his or her individual and group work.

Formative
Assessments

Student learning will be

monitored throughout the
unit to provide ongoing
feedback with the following:

It is expected you
will
Think critically about your
learning processes.

Advanced
-10Entries are analytical;
questioning; reasoned;
reasonable; entries reflect
on learning processes.

Proficient
-8.5Understands connection
between inquiry and
development of
metacognitive skills; working
hard to improve.

Basic
-7.5-

Below Basic
-6.4-

Some attempts to articulate

learning processes, to
respond to key questions,
and to find ways to improve
learning skills.

Little evidence of attention

to own learning processes;
does not analyze, question,
or use reasoning
independently

How Will I Be Graded?

page 3

Formative
Assessments

Student learning will be

monitored throughout the
unit to provide ongoing
feedback with the following:

* The following Collaboration Rubric will be used throughout the unit to measure students ability to contribute to the project, the quality of work, attitude,
focus on the task, pride, and working with others.

It is expected
you will
Contribute

Work With Others

Summative
Assessments

Student learning will be

evaluated at the end of the
unit using the following
criteria:

Advanced
-10-

Proficient
-8.5-

Basic
-7.5-

ROUTINELY provides useful ideas

when participating in the group
and in classroom discussion. A
definite LEADER who contributes A
LOT OF EFFORT.
ALMOST ALWAYS listens to, shares
with, and supports the efforts of
others. TRIES to keep people
working well together.

USUALLY provides useful ideas

when participation in the group
and in classroom discussion. A
STRONG group member who TRIES
HARD.
USUALLY listens to, shares with,
and supports the efforts of others.
DOES NOT cause waves in the
group.

SOMETIMES provides useful ideas

when participation in the group
and in classroom discussion. A
SATISFACTORY group member who
does what is required.
OFTEN listens to, shares with, and
supports the efforts of others, but
sometimes is not a good team
member.

RARELY provides useful ideas

when participation in the group
and in classroom discussion.
MAY REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE.
RARELY listens to, shares with,
and supports the efforts of
others. OFTEN is NOT A GOOD
TEAM PLAYER.

Category

Advanced

Content

-35-

-30-

Shows a FULL understanding of ALL

three time periods for chosen
civilization.

Shows a GOOD understanding of ALL

three time periods for chosen
civilization.

-35-

-30-

-25-

-20-

Product

Product contains a STRONGLY

balanced and accurate mix of
illustrations, text, and design. ALL
elements work together to convey
the theme and to grab the attention
of the audience.

Product contains a MOSTLY

balanced and accurate mix of
illustrations, text, and design. MOST
elements work together to convey
the theme and to grab the attention
of the audience.

Product contains a SOMEWHAT

balanced and/or accurate mix of
illustrations, text, and design. SOME
elements work together to convey the
theme and to grab the attention of
the audience.

There is too much/too little

text OR too many/too few
illustrations. Content
distracts from conveying
the theme.

-20-

-17-

Oral
Presentation

Speaks clearly with appropriate

volume and pacing. Ideas logically
flow from one point another.
Displays confidence in body
language and maintains eye contact.

Speaks clearly and is able to be

heard MOST of the time. Majority of
the presentation follows a smooth
pace, with a minor lapse. Maintains
eye contact.

Bibliography

MLA format used accurately and

consistently. Student uses 3
additional sources.

35 points

35 points

20 points

-1010 points

Proficient

Below Basic
-6.4-

-8.5MLA format is evident with LIMITED

errors. Student uses 3 additional
sources.

Basic
-25Shows a PARTIAL understanding of
chosen civilization.

-15At times, speaks clearly and can be

heard. Tries to maintain a smooth
pace, but delivery is slightly
inconsistent, with minimal eye
contact.

-7.5Citations display an EMERGING

understanding MLA formatting. Many
errors exist. Student uses 2
additional sources.

Below Basic
-20Does not demonstrate
understanding of chosen
civilization.

-13Does not speak clearly or

is unable to be heard.
Presentation lacks
continuity.
Little to no eye contact.

-6.5Citations are listed, but

display an incomplete or
inaccurate use of MLA
formatting. Student uses
one additional source.