Details and Share
It’s a Wonder – Filled World
Students will learn about the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World compiled by the ancient Greeks.
Grade Level: 6 - 8th
Subject:
Length of Time: About 2 Class Periods
Common Core Alignment
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7 - Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.10 - By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Objectives & Outcomes
The students will be able to list the seven creations of the ancient world drawn up by Antipater of Sidon and Philon of Byzantium. They will be able to identify the one monument that still remains. Using pictures, facts, and a comprehensive video they will recognize the building process and contrast with technology today.
Materials Needed
Seven Wonders list*, Internet access or other resources, map found on the Internet of their locations
Prepare ahead of time: List of the Seven Wonders for students, rubrics for class presentation. Resources: www.seven-wonders-world.com; www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aY9Se-J2ww
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
- Ask students: What does it mean when someone refers to the seven wonders of the world?
- Allow for responses (Most students will mention modern wonders.)
- Discuss some of the modern wonders of the world
Body of Lesson
Modeling
- Introduce the seven ancient wonders of the world
- Display each wonder telling what it was and who built it.
- Ask students why they think it was called a wonder of the world
Guided Practice
- Pair students
- Assign each pair of students one of the ancient wonders
- Explain to students they must research the ancient wonder: who, where, why, when, how, and what has happened to the structure
- Encourage students to contrast the building of it in the past with how it could be built with technology today
- Once all research is completed, each pair of students will present their findings to the class
- Student pairs having the same ancient wonder may present at the same time, supplementing each other’s information
- Have seated students list some facts as the presentations take place
- Allow for questions and discussion
Independent Practice
- Create a quiz for students, matching facts with each wonder. Assign a modern wonder to each student to research.
Closing
- Ask students what they think should be the Seven Wonders of the World today, voting on their suggestions to pick the top seven
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Great Pyramids of Egypt
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
Assessment & Evaluation
One-page report from each student about the ancient wonder they presented, matching quiz for students using facts for each wonder.
Modification & Differentiation
Allow students to work alone. Create 7 groups, one for each wonder. No class presentation, all written work turned in for evaluation. Limit the number of presentations if under time constraint.
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