This is a combination of evaluation and writing that I've really enjoyed. Thought others may find it useful.

Since we've gone through so many cultures, it could have been difficult for my kids UG and D, to keep them straight even with the charts. My kids are a little more hands on.

Sooo...

I gave them a weekly assignment: write an ad for an item that culture could use. Without mentioning the actual culture, you have to mention five things that are specific to that culture. You have to use a specific appeal (we went over advertising appeals), a specific audience, and give a sense of price. It has to be made with materials available to that culture at that time.

Some of the kids' ads. Can you identify the culture?
Ching Ya's personal security system for an emperor, made of silk, uses Confucian saying "While one is at peace, one does not forget that danger may be close at hand," expensive, but a small price to pay for preserving a dynasty.

Mirjah's Stilts for vaishyas (am I spelling this right?) when visiting watering holes outside of city. Keeps you above the Untouchables, does not allow their shadows to fall upon you, saves you money since you do not have to visit the Brahman so often to be purified.

Tutamank's Apis Bull Healer. Made of sacred grass ground with herbs. Keeps your apis bull healthier, longer. For Priests only! Please Amen-re and the Pharaoh. Bless the nation's crops and fertility. Healthiness for holiness!

Mukalag's Arctic Fox coat. Keep your warm caribou coat on the inside, but have a white coat outside so that you can be better camouflaged when hunting seal and polar bear. Sewn with whale bone needles and sinew.

Perfume for queens. Made of roses from Lebanon. Place on your head and have it melt down delicately. Will make you the Pharaoh's favorite queen. He will think you smell divine!

They've done many more, but you get the idea. And their ads are a page. I've been very impressed with how much detail they can remember and how even Dad can tell what the culture is. They also have to include a drawing. Those are fun, too! And in the course of the discussions we have to talk about how certain cultures don't have metal, so you can't make that. Or certain things would not be useful to them because they aren't advanced enough. What would be important to them? What would be helpful? What would appeal to them? Why?

Not for everybody, but may be helpful for somebody out there!

LeslieV



Anyway, a painless and fun way to evaluate their learning of differences and really have to apply their knowledge.

Thanks for sharint this, Leslie! Your kids are very imaginative, and your homeschool sound like fun!
Blessings,
April