Ancient Civilization Stations Event
Golden Gryphon has been supplying fun and educational programs since 2004. As we stay current with curriculum changes, we also include a Haudenosaunee (local Indigenous people group) component to our program.
Our current ½-day program gives an overview and an introduction to Ancient Civilizations studies. It is well designed as an introduction to the Ancient World or as an exciting culminating activity.
If you book this program, this is what you can expect:
When your class arrives in the gymnasium, we will have them seated in groups according to their civilization. There will be 6 people groups:
Mesopotamians
Egyptians
Chinese
Mayans
Romans
Medieval Europeans
We will do an introduction of the civilization groups by showing their location on the map. We will be introducing each group and the students will have an opportunity to talk about their role in society. The groups will subsequently travel to 6 different stations, spending about 20 minutes at each one.
Entertainment
Here the children will enjoy a Roman chariot ride, see a Chinese kite, a Haudenosaunee La Crosse stick and tin and cup game and be exposed to an Egyptian Board game (Senet), plus play a Mesopotamian musical instrument.
Knowledge & Achievements
The students will learn about the implications of the Mesopotamian wheel, feel silk and hear about its significance, experience a Roman aqueduct, discover the importance of the Medieval printing press, and come to an understanding of the Mayan calendar and the Haudenosaunee fishing Weir. The hands-on activity will be writing their initials in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Weapons & Armour
There will be a chronological demonstration of armour and weapons with many hands-on experiences. A true highlight.
Sports & Recreation
Here the children learn about sports and recreation of the civilizations. Students will play the Mayan ball game Pok A Tok and practice Archery.
Architecture
A replica of the Great Wall of China, Haudenosaunee Long House and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon will be on display. At this station, the children will have an opportunity to build an Egyptian pyramid, a Mayan temple, a Roman amphitheatre or stage a battle scene with a Medieval castle and catapult.
Food and Agriculture
At this station, children will find samples of food and examples of agricultural techniques. They will be encouraged to put appropriate food items into a basket reserved for each civilization.
For this program, we will need 6 mature volunteers to help supervise. If the Medieval Feast program is included, these assistants will then be honoured by being seated at the head table with the King or Queen. There is no charge for teachers and the 6 volunteers.
**Please Note: All volunteers will be considered museum guides and therefore are required to be confident and mature adult volunteers with excellent communication skills. This is vital to the success of the program. If you are unable to provide this, please consider a separate Medieval program.
**Please Note: Before our time of arrival, all tables and chairs will need to be set up according to our preparation page instructions which are found here.
If you are still not sure, please read what Ann Edwards from St.Charles Catholic School had to say:
“What a fantastic day! The students learned so much, and it was all based on the Ontario Curriculum. The costumes that the children wore were beautiful. The activities were very hands-on and made the children feel like they were really back in time. They particularly enjoyed seeing and wearing the various pieces of armour and the actual chariot ride was so much fun for them. They experienced writing hieroglyphs and got to take them home with them. The Medieval feast was wonderful. The kids loved it. During the meal, the students took part in some skilled competition, which was very exciting. I would highly recommend this presentation/activity to any age student. Every student loved it and couldn’t stop talking about it.”