Gather Round Ancient Civilizations: Teacher’s Guide

A unit study on ancient civilizations can be a rich and engaging experience, often covering key cultures like

Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, Greece, and Rome. The Gather ‘Round Homeschool curriculum, in particular, structures this as a 4-6 week, 20-lesson program designed for family-style learning, integrating history with language arts, science, and art.

Key Components & Topics

The study is typically organized around key elements that define a civilization: cities, government, job specialization, arts and architecture, social classes, writing, and religion

Geography: Explore how location, climate, and natural resources affected where civilizations developed (e.g., along rivers like the Nile, Tigris/Euphrates, Yellow, and Indus).
History & Government: Learn about the rise and fall of empires, significant leaders (pharaohs, emperors, etc.), and different forms of government (monarchies, early democracies, republics).
Culture & Society: Investigate daily life, social structures, religious beliefs, myths, and artistic expressions (e.g., pyramids, the Great Wall, mosaics, temples).
Writing & Communication: Discover different writing systems like cuneiform, hieroglyphics, and the purpose of keeping records.
Science & Technology: Examine ancient innovations and their impact on the modern world, such as the invention of paper, water clocks, and early forms of currency or taxes.