HOT+(Higher+Order+Thinking)


 * H.O.T. Topics: Higher Order Thinking **


 * Grade Level: ** These lesson ideas were written or adapted for middle school world history.

1: **Journal of a Spartan Boy/Girl –** This lesson has the students read “[|The Spartan Childhood]” (Brainard) and write three journal entries, role playing a child of their age and gender in ancient Sparta. The students attempt to sound authentic using historical references from the article. The students will describe what their life was like and what they did.

This project will utilize their creative writing skills. This project is written at the Creating Level of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. The students will gain a greater understanding of what life was like in ancient Greece, specifically in Sparta.

2: **Hammurabi’s Code –** In this lesson the students will read the first fifty laws from [|Hammurabi’s code]. (Martin) The students will then create a list of at least ten laws to govern their own fictitious civilization. The laws must be written to nurture positive behaviors and detour negative behaviors. Their code should be written to establish harmony and domestic tranquility. While many of their laws may be similar to Hammurabi’s, students will not be allowed to use any of the original laws.

This project will also utilize their creative writing skills. This project is written at the Creating Level of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through this lesson the students will explore what life was like in Mesopotamia and gain an appreciation for our own criminal code. The students will also gain insight into why laws are established and the doling out of punishment .

3: **At a Cross-Rhodes** – This lesson is a project-based learning lesson that challenges the students to advise the city-state of Rhodes, in ancient Greece, on an alliance with either the Peloponnesian League or the Delian League during the Peloponnesian War. The students will use the internet to research both leagues, analyze the civil and diplomatic consequences of membership, and develop a recommendation to present to Polis of Rhodes.

This project will utilize their internet research, problem-solving, interpersonal, and debate skills. This project is written at the Analyzing & Creating Levels of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through this lesson the students will explore what life was like in ancient Greece. They will discover the corruption Athens perpetrated that became the catalyst for the Peloponnesian War. They will evaluate the military and political might of both leagues. They will also have to develop and make a persuasive argument to join the league of their choice.

4: **Lessons from the Fall of Rome** – In this lesson, students will read “[|The Fall of Ancient Rome”] (Donn) and will contrast and compare the causes of the fall of Rome with our own contemporary society. The students will discuss how some of the causes mimic contemporary society and will find causes that cannot be found today. The students will then formulate a prediction on if there government is on the road to ruin or if recent social, political, and economic events are a mere bump in the road.

This project will utilize their problem-solving, evaluation, and writing skills. This project is written at the Analyzing & Evaluation Levels of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through this lesson the students will explore what caused the collapse of Roman Empire. The students will also have to evaluate current events and determine if they are comparable to Rome. The students will then write their comparisons and hypothesis into a three page paper.

5: **Greek Tragedy** – This lesson was adapted from a [|drama lesson] by Matt Buchanan. (Buchanan) The students will work in groups of five and write and perform their own Greek Tragedy Play. The students will follow correct structure and style but develop their own storyline. Everyone in the group will have to perform in the play. Their story must be original. The main character must climb to greatness but meet a tragic end.

This project will also utilize their creative writing and acting skills. This project is written at the Creating Level of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through this lesson the students will explore the components of a Greek Tragedy. They will gain an appreciation of the cultural significance of drama. The students will also enjoy creating and acting in their own play and being entertained by the other groups.

6: **Postcards from a Roman Holiday** - This lesson has the students choose one of the [|7 Wonders of the Ancient World] (Donn) and create a postcard of their choice. They will then role play tourist visiting the site in antiquity and describe their visit to the recipient. The students will attempt to sound authentic using historical references. Once graded, the postcards will be mailed to their parent from their “virtual” holiday.

This project will utilize their artistic and creative writing skills. This project is written at the Creating Level of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. The students will gain a greater understanding of the ancient sites that were visited by Romans over 2000 years ago. The students will also gain a greater appreciation for more contemporary tourist attractions and their function in society and culture.

7: **Bill of Faire** – This project was based on the wikiHow article “[|How to Plan a School Renaissance Fair].” The students work in groups of four and will research medieval games and activities in order to create a booth for a grade-wide Renaissance Faire. The students will decide on a type of booth, i.e. food, games, entertainment, etc. Other students will create their own original booths complete with decoration and help to host the faire.

This project will utilize the students’ internet research and artistic skills. This project is written at the Creating Level of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through this lesson the students will explore what life was like in medieval Europe. They will create their booth for the faire and role play during the faire to entice visitors to their booth. The students will be evaluated by visitors to the faire.

Brainard, Jennifer. "The Spartans Childhood - Ancient Greece - HistoryWiz." //HistoryWiz: for Students, Teachers and Lovers of History//. HistoryWiz, 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .
 * Bibliography: **

Buchanan, Matt. "Greek Drama Lesson." //Fantastic Plays for Kids//. ChildDrama, 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Donn, Don. "7 Wonders." //7 Wonders of the Ancient World//. Mr. Donn, 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Donn, Don. "The Fall of Rome." //Ancient Rome for Kids//. Mr. Donn, 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

"How to Plan a School Renaissance Fair - WikiHow." //WikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit//. WikiHow, 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Martin, Phillip. "Hammurabi Code of Laws Index." //You Be The Judge on Hammurabi's Code//. Phillip Martin, 1998. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .