Core Skills Analysis
History
- Will identified the original Seven World Wonders and explained why each was considered extraordinary in its era.
- He described the major historical events (e.g., earthquakes, wars, neglect) that led to the loss or alteration of each wonder, linking natural forces and human actions to cultural change.
- Will compared ancient architectural techniques with modern preservation methods, recognizing how engineering knowledge evolves over time.
- He used chronological reasoning to place the wonders within broader world history timelines, connecting them to the societies that built them.
Tips
To deepen Will’s understanding, have him create a “then‑and‑now” digital collage that juxtaposes ancient images of each wonder with present‑day photos or artist reconstructions. Follow this with a mock debate where he argues for the preservation of one wonder using evidence from the video and recent news articles. Next, organize a virtual field trip using Google Earth to explore the modern sites where the wonders once stood, encouraging him to journal reflections on how geography shaped their histories. Finally, ask Will to write a short historical fiction piece set during the construction of a wonder, integrating factual details he learned.
Book Recommendations
- The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Peter A. Clayton: A vivid, illustrated overview of each wonder, their builders, and the myths surrounding them.
- Ancient Engineering: How the World’s Greatest Structures Were Built by Mike Goldsmith: Explores the engineering feats behind iconic monuments, including the wonders, with engaging diagrams.
- A Walk Through History: The Lost Wonders by Emily E. Kline: Narrative nonfiction that tells the stories of disappeared wonders and the cultures that created them.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific textual evidence from the video to support analysis of historical events.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 – Determine the central ideas of the video and summarize the sequence of events for each wonder.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.3 – Explain how geography influenced the construction and eventual fate of the wonders.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts that include facts about the wonders, using multimedia sources.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Timeline sequencing – place each wonder’s construction, major events, and destruction on a single line.
- Quiz: Multiple‑choice and short‑answer questions about causes of loss, architectural features, and cultural significance.