Class 1: Mesopotamia – The First Cities
Step into the land between the rivers, where ancient people built the world’s first cities and invented writing, law, and government. In this class, students will discover how the Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians laid the groundwork for civilization itself. Through storytelling, artifacts, and maps, they’ll explore the wonders of ziggurats, cuneiform tablets, and irrigation canals—and create their own clay “tablet” to write messages like a young Mesopotamian scribe.
Class 3: Ancient Egypt - Rivers, Rulers, and the Afterlife
Uncover the wonders of ancient Egypt, a civilization built on the life-giving Nile. Students will explore how the river shaped Egyptian farming, trade, and belief systems. They’ll examine the grand pyramids, decipher simple hieroglyphs, and learn about pharaohs and their quest for immortality. Through mapwork and artifact analysis, students will see how geography, power, and spirituality combined to create one of history’s most iconic cultures.
Class 5: Ancient Greece - Heroes, City-States, and Epic Quests
Ancient Greece: the land of philosophers, epic gods, mighty warriors, sea-bound adventures, and rival cities with bold identities. In this session, students will discover the contrasting lives of Spartans and Athenians, from Spartan discipline and strength to Athenian creativity and trade. They’ll journey through The Odyssey, tracing Odysseus’ long, twisty path home, and learn how epic tales helped Greeks understand bravery, loyalty, and cleverness. Activities will invite students to design their own mythological monster or invent a city-state with its own values, motto, and laws.
Class 7: Africa - Kingdoms of Gold
Long before colonial maps redrew the continent, Africa was home to mighty kingdoms like Mali, Ghana, and Great Zimbabwe. In this session, students will explore the wealth of Mansa Musa, the libraries of Timbuktu, and the stone cities built without mortar. They’ll learn how trade routes, oral traditions, and art connected cultures across vast deserts and forests. To experience the richness of daily life, students will explore the history of Africa through its arts, cuisine, and geography.
Class 2: Indus Valley - Hidden Engineers
Travel to one of the oldest and most mysterious civilizations: the Indus Valley. In this class, students will explore the clean streets, advanced plumbing, and uniform city planning of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. They'll learn how this peaceful civilization mastered engineering, trade, and daily life without leaving behind kings or epic wars. Students will experiment with simple models to understand ancient urban design and imagine what life was like for a child growing up along the banks of the Indus River.
Class 4: Ancient China – Invention, Order, and the Mandate of Heaven
Step into ancient China, where dynasties ruled with philosophy and power, and innovation flourished along the Yellow River. In this session, students will learn about early Chinese inventions like paper and the compass, the role of Confucian ideas in everyday life, and the mystical concept of the “Mandate of Heaven.” Through storytelling, calligraphy practice, and a tea tasting, children will explore how ancient China balanced structure and creativity to shape a civilization that still echoes today.
Class 6: Ancient Rome - Roads, Republics and Rule
From mighty legions to marble forums, Ancient Rome shaped the very structure of cities, governments, and languages we know today. In this session, students will explore the rise of Rome from republic to empire, learn about daily life under Caesar and Augustus, and see how Roman innovations like aqueducts, roads, and citizenship transformed the ancient world. They'll examine Latin roots in modern words, debate like senators, and create their own Roman-inspired hands-on projects.
Class 8: Ancient Americas - Cities in the Skies
From the mountaintop citadels of the Inca to the pyramid-filled cities of the Maya and Aztec, the civilizations of the ancient Americas built marvels that continue to amaze. In this session, students will explore the engineering feats, agricultural innovations, and spiritual beliefs that shaped life above the clouds and in the heart of the jungle. They’ll examine Machu Picchu’s terraces, decode Mayan glyphs, and imagine life in Tenochtitlán’s floating gardens. To connect with these civilizations more deeply, students will participate in a creative project that highlights how environment and imagination shaped these extraordinary cultures.
