Purpose:
The purpose of this project is give the student the opportunity to study in detail a significant event or development during the foundations period. This will provide all the students in the class the opportunity to learn from their fellow students and provide an efficient means to cover a large amount of material.

Students may work in groups (no greater than 3) to research and decorate a 12" x 12" x 12" cube on a selected civilization covered in Chapters 1-17 of the text. Each side of the cube will cover one of the following 6 (PERSIA) subjects:

Political: Who is in charge? What is power based on? Who gives that person or group power? Is there a contract? What's the government?

Economic: How do people earn their food? Is it based on agriculture, commerce, small trades or professions, or industry, like manufacturing or technology? Where's the money?

Religious: What is the meaning of life? Where did the group come from? What happens when they die? How do they spend their lives? Who talks to god(s)?

Social: How does the group relate to one another? How do people communicate? What do people do together? How is the group organized?

Intellectual: Who are the thinkers? What groups are given the chance to learn? How do people learn? Where does knowledge come from?

Artistic: How do they express themselves? What commitment to self-expression do they have? What technology or resources are given to art?

In addition to using the PERSIA Analysis rubric, each presentation must include the following:

• Major rituals, taboos, days of worship.
  • Basics tenets of the religion.
• Significant people and major events.
• What are the major events of the civilization?
• Major accomplishments and lasting legacy of the civilization.
• Reasons for the decline of the civilization

Outcomes - At the end of this activity, students will be able to

• Collect data through text reading.
• Write a well thought-out short research article.
• Develop research and clear-thinking skills.
• Relearn information from previous years.
• Apply information learned in the past to current situations.
• Offer a brief presentation of the topic.

Process

• Choose a topic from the list.
• Research the topic, using the text and/ or other sources, following the PERSIA model.
• Each side of the cube (6 sides) will cover one aspect of your topic.
• Material must be selective and may only cover one side.
• Decorations may be added, if they do not disrupt from the presentation of the material.
• Information must be clear, concise and easily read.
• Presentation. Offer a brief (5-10 min), concise, and clear presentation of the topic. You must have a timeline illustrating the significant dates and events for that civilization. The Timeline should be easy to read around the class. Poster, overhead transparency or PowerPoint (limit 6 slides) are acceptable.
• Q & A. (10 min) This is where you get to be the expert and answer questions from your peers that may not have been covered in your presentation.
• Bibliography. You must have a minimum of 3 sources. You may include your textbook, encyclopedia and on-line sources. These must be submitted with your cube (on a separate sheet.

Material

• 12" x 12" x 12" cube (may be purchased from office supply store or handmade)
• Paper and pens.
• History textbook or other resources.
• Internet access available in class or the library.

Grade

• Annotated Bibliography = 10%
• Annotated outline 10%
• Information presented on cube = 40%.
• Presentation and Q & A = 40%.

Topics:

Due Dates:

Step I - Annotated Bibliography
P. 1-3-5 - September 13; P. 2-4-6 - September 14

Step II - Annotated Outline
P. 1-3-5 - September 21; P. 2-4-6 - September 22

Step III - Cube and Presentation
P. 1-3-5 - September 27; P. 2-4-6 - September 28