Rulers and Subjects (overview)
Passive session

"Well organised, informative and enjoyable... very relevant... wonderful." Rachael McIlwaine. Sacred Heart Oakleigh - 2009.

Traces the development of human society from hunter gatherers, through early kingdoms, to the empires and republics of the ancient world.

A fabulous series of role plays, trading games, and class votes: to choose the logical future direction for their society.  This session is an excellent starting point for understanding the common issues and themes of human societies.

This session can also be used as a whole group introduction, before breaking the classes up to rotate through individual activities (though the result is not nearly so interactive).

One of several topics now re-designed to use Interactive Whiteboard technology (don't worry, we can bring our own if necessary).

Ancient Metalworking (overview)
Interactive Session

"Girls were fascinated! Loved to be able to touch..." Megan Hughes. Sacred Heart Oakleigh - 2009.

At the request of a couple of schools, this topic discusses and demonstrates early metal technology, including simple casting.  (Because Bronze casting is at 1100 degrees, we use Pewter casting as a safer - 300 degrees - alternative).

Students can actually pump the bellows, stack the charcoal burners, and melt the pewter. Then we do samples of dry and wet casting, as we talk through metal smelting technology and change through ancient history, and how it affected the development of different societies.

Student feedback has been very excited.  Science teacher feedback possibly more so!

An optional addition for this session would see each student cast their own small item such as an arrowhead, which they can then take home with them at the end of the day.  (Naturally this option takes longer as the class is gets bigger, so might not be possible for all circumstances.)

This session requires an outside area under cover, or an art room or science lab environment. Preferable somewhere where we can use a charcoal burner as well as a gas ring (without setting off fire alarms), though we can do it inside with gas only.

Warriors & Warfare (overview)
Active Session

"A wonderfully interactive group activity that has every student engaged." Sarah Mellington. Loreto College Ballarat - 2009.

An active role play of the effects of social and technological developments on military technology – and vice versa.

The social developments we work through in this session range from Tribal groups, to early Summerian/Egyptian/Persian Empires, then through the Spartan, the Athenian/Macedonian, and the Roman systems. At each stage we use active role plays to demonstrate how a simple social or technological change allowed a culture to dominate in its environment for several centuries.

The students actually role-play how the ‘odds’ change with each advance, and come to a clear concept of the effects of minor conceptual changes on the flow of human history.

We consider this topic a vital conceptual concept for students, and they love the team based role plays.

It can be done for groups of 40 or 50, but works best with single classes.

Requires an open area or activity room.

Sports & Status (Greek focus)
Active Session

"Fantastic.. games were well taught within the learning context of the political status...the girls loved it..." Linda McDonald. Loreto College Ballarat - 2009.

A great introduction to the 'Civics' components of SOSE.

Physical training was part of the basic education of many cultures, but certain sports relate to your class and status.

Compares peasant games with the more serious military sports of the elites, and involves the students in a detailed discussion of the origins and uses of the Olympic Games. Naturally we cover as many of these activities as possible, and we keep it interesting by dividing the group into competing teams.

The overall discussion is focused on the concept of ‘class’ in the Ancient world, with an emphasis on the functional roles of each class, and the origins of Democracy. As such it backs up the citizens and warriors discussions in other presentations, while allowing the students to have fun and expend energy.

Designed for single classes, with a maximum of 32 participants.

Requires an open activity room.

Gladiators (Roman Focus)
Interactive Session

"This is a very well-planned and organised, dramatic presentation... fast pace, dynamic.... very challenging. Student vocabulary and knowledge are challenged and extended - memorable!" Sarah Mellington. Loreto College Ballarat - 2009.

The Roman Republic needed citizens accustomed to violence, just as much as the Roman Empire needed it’s ‘bread and circuses’ for other domestic reasons.  Yet some citizens were willing to volunteer to become gladiators in an attempt to achieve fame and fortune.

This topic covers far more than just the violence of the games, as it assesses the role of such activities in the citizens education and training (and punishment); and the value they had for foreign policy and propaganda. We also consider at the modern role of ‘blood sports’.

This is a very exciting topic for the students, and they tend to get very involved in the role plays.

It is designed for single classes, but is a good choice to use as a large group presentation to start a day.  (However the video/DVD technology must be capable of large group presentations, and functional...  we have had bad experiences!)

Requires DVD or VCR.

Archery (background)
Active Session

"Fantastic control and ensuring students are engaged". Giuliana Faidla. Nazareth College - 2009

Archery was the common activity for every farmer and most nobility from the ancient world until the rise of gunpowder. However the competition between bow technology and armour through the Ancient period had a stunning effect on social change; and vice-versa.

Everybody gets to participate, and we use blunted arrows against rubber targets to make things safer (and more fun). This means that (with the addition of our safety nets) we can easily do archery in halls or gymnasiums if the weather is bad.

Absolute maximum of 32 per session!

Religion & Technology (Egyptian focus)
Passive Session

"Interesting information and material was well presented and hands on. Excellent learning as all styles o flearning were addressed, and found easy for the students to interact with the topics and materials". Lesley Hall. Haileybury Newlands - 2009.

From Animism to Polytheism to Monotheism. More complex societies require more complex religious structures, but a feeling of security often leads to a more casual approach to the gods.

A discussion of the different approaches to worship, and their gods, of tribes and the Egyptian, Greek and Roman Empires. Makes useful comparisons with modern concepts of a god, and with the place of worship in modern societies.

Includes some hands on crafts, as well as role plays and dress ups. (All with an Egyptian focus.)

[This topic has a lot of input from staff who have studied or worked at theological faculties, and in school RE curriculums – particularly the U.K.’s senior ‘comparative religious studies’. It has led to some fascinating discussions with students, and every effort has been made to avoid any implications which may be offensive to any group. This program has been well received at Anglican, Catholic, and other Christian schools; as well as at Jewish and State schools.]

Maximum 32 participants.

Requires a DVD.

Ancient China
Passive Session

Compares the development of the Chinese Agrarian Empire with the Middle Eastern Empires, and with its closest western counterpart, the Roman Agrarian Empire. The chinese and Roman Empires in particuar developed very similar social and bureaucratic systems to deal with comparable issues of co-ordination and control. However China faced issues which Rome didn't, and her attitude to the dangers of barbarian invaders and conquorers diverted Ancient China down a different path.

A challenging discussion with some role plays, but one which we suggest be added as a 'calm them down' session after four or five more interactive topics.

Requires Interactive-Whiteboard. (If you don't have one we can provide a portable.)

Slavery (overview)
Passive Session

A discussion of the economic role of slavery in ancient – and more modern – societies.

Debunks many of the myths about what slavery was, and how efficient it was for an economy.  Looks at the difference between slavery and bound peasants, such as the Spartan helots.  Compares the ancient mass slave societies (Rome and Athens) with modern ones (Brazil, the colonial Caribbean and the antebellum American South) and takes students through why slavery occurred and why there has only ever been one successful slave revolt in history.

This is a lecture style topic which should only be considered as a 'calm them down' alternative after four or five more interactive topics have already been chosen.

Requires an Interactive-Whiteboard. (If you don't have one we can bring a portable.)