Ancient Meme Creation
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use memes to explain the key developments and economic factors that shaped the growth of ancient civilizations between 3500 BCE and 600 CE, and how do different social studies disciplines help us understand these civilizations?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did the economic activity impact the growth of ancient civilizations between 3500 BCE-600 CE?
- What types of supporting questions do social studies disciplines use to understand ancient civilizations?
- What are the key developments that shaped civilizations between 3500 BCE and 600 CE?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to explain key developments of ancient civilizations between 3500 BCE and 600 CE using memes.
- Students will be able to analyze the impact of economic activity on the growth of ancient civilizations.
- Students will be able to identify and use supporting questions from various social studies disciplines to investigate ancient civilizations.
Teacher Provided Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsLost Meme Time Capsule
Introduce the project with a 'lost' time capsule supposedly from an ancient civilization, containing cryptic memes or image-based jokes. Students must decipher the memes and connect them to aspects of the civilization's culture, values, or historical events.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Civilization Starter Pack
Students will select an ancient civilization (e.g., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome) and brainstorm its most defining characteristics. This activity introduces the civilization and sets the stage for more in-depth analysis.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA paragraph summarizing key aspects of the chosen civilization and justification for their importance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 6.I.Q.1 by prompting students to develop questions about the civilization's development.Economic Meme Machine
Students will research the economic activities of their chosen civilization and create a meme that explains how these activities contributed to the civilization's growth or decline. This activity focuses on the economic aspects of the civilization.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA meme explaining the impact of economic activities on the civilization, accompanied by a written explanation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 6.E.MA.2 by requiring students to explain how economic activity affected the civilization's growth.Discipline Decoder: Social Studies Perspectives
Students will explore how different social studies disciplines (history, geography, economics, anthropology) ask different questions about their chosen civilization. They will then create a meme that reflects one of these disciplinary perspectives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA meme representing a social studies discipline's perspective on the civilization, with a label indicating the discipline.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 6.I.Q.3 by having students identify the types of supporting questions used by different social studies disciplines.Timeline Meme-ification
Students will create a timeline of key events in their civilization and then design memes that represent significant turning points. This activity encourages students to synthesize information and represent historical developments in a concise and engaging format.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA timeline of key events with accompanying memes and captions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 6.I.Q.1 by focusing on key developments in the civilization's history.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioAncient Meme Creation Rubric
Historical Accuracy & Content Understanding
Focuses on the accuracy of the information presented in the memes and the depth of understanding demonstrated about the chosen civilization.Accuracy of Information
Evaluates the factual correctness of the memes and associated explanations.
Exemplary
4 PointsMeme and explanation are entirely accurate and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the historical context. Information is well-researched and reflects a nuanced understanding of the civilization.
Proficient
3 PointsMeme and explanation are mostly accurate with only minor inaccuracies. Demonstrates a solid understanding of the historical context.
Developing
2 PointsMeme and/or explanation contain some inaccuracies or omissions. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the historical context but lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsMeme and/or explanation contain significant inaccuracies or demonstrate a lack of understanding of the historical context.
Depth of Understanding
Assesses the extent to which the memes demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the civilization's key aspects.
Exemplary
4 PointsMemes demonstrate a deep and insightful understanding of the civilization's complexities, including social, economic, and political factors.
Proficient
3 PointsMemes demonstrate a thorough understanding of the civilization's key aspects and their interrelationships.
Developing
2 PointsMemes demonstrate a superficial understanding of the civilization, focusing on surface-level details rather than deeper analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsMemes demonstrate a limited understanding of the civilization, with significant gaps in knowledge.
Application of Social Studies Disciplines
Evaluates the student's ability to apply perspectives from different social studies disciplines (e.g., history, economics, geography) to analyze the civilization.Disciplinary Perspective
Assesses the clarity and accuracy with which the meme represents a specific social studies discipline's perspective.
Exemplary
4 PointsMeme clearly and effectively represents the perspective of a specific social studies discipline, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the discipline's methods and focus.
Proficient
3 PointsMeme accurately represents the perspective of a specific social studies discipline.
Developing
2 PointsMeme attempts to represent a disciplinary perspective but lacks clarity or accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsMeme does not clearly represent a disciplinary perspective or demonstrates a misunderstanding of the discipline.
Supporting Questions
Evaluates the use of supporting questions relevant to each social studies discipline.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe supporting questions are compelling, insightful, and demonstrate a deep understanding of how different social studies disciplines approach the study of ancient civilizations. Questions are well-researched and aligned with the chosen discipline.
Proficient
3 PointsThe supporting questions are relevant and appropriate for the chosen social studies disciplines.
Developing
2 PointsThe supporting questions are somewhat relevant but may be superficial or lack depth.
Beginning
1 PointsThe supporting questions are irrelevant or demonstrate a misunderstanding of the social studies disciplines.
Meme Design & Communication
Focuses on the effectiveness of the meme as a communication tool, considering its clarity, humor, and ability to convey information concisely.Clarity & Conciseness
Assesses how clearly and concisely the meme conveys the intended message.
Exemplary
4 PointsMeme is exceptionally clear, concise, and easy to understand. It effectively communicates a complex idea in a memorable way.
Proficient
3 PointsMeme is clear and concise, effectively communicating the intended message.
Developing
2 PointsMeme is somewhat unclear or too complex, making it difficult to understand the intended message.
Beginning
1 PointsMeme is confusing, unclear, and fails to communicate the intended message.
Humor & Engagement
Evaluates the use of humor and engaging elements to capture the audience's attention and enhance understanding.
Exemplary
4 PointsMeme is highly humorous and engaging, effectively capturing the audience's attention and making the information more memorable. Humor is appropriate and enhances the learning experience.
Proficient
3 PointsMeme is humorous and engaging, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the communication.
Developing
2 PointsMeme attempts to use humor but it is not very effective or may be inappropriate.
Beginning
1 PointsMeme lacks humor or engaging elements, making it less effective as a communication tool.