Students Go Around the Ancient World at Fair

Clad in colorful kimonos, robes and togas, more than 650 sixth-grade students traveled back in time Friday at Niguel Hills Middle School’s annual Ancient Civilizations Fair.

Students reenacted scenes from the ancient cultures of China, India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome and prehistoric humans, and took part in games and crafts associated with each civilization.

They also strolled through a model of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and had a chance to be wrapped like a mummy in Egypt.

“We are representing every civilization the kids study or will study,” social studies teacher Susan Lowry said. “Everything has a significance to the culture the kids are learning.”

Started three years ago by the social studies department, the fair was developed as a tool to teach sixth-graders about ancient civilization, a requirement of their core curriculum.

In the last three weeks, the students have planned, researched and crafted nearly all of the games and displays for the various “civilization stations.” The youngsters also staffed the booths Friday and directed the activities with help from teachers and parent volunteers.

“It’s fun,” said Morgan Smith, 11. “You get to play games and actually learn something.”

They also become experts in ancient studies.

“It’s amazing,” Lowry said of the fair. “The kids just love it.”

Throughout the half-day fair, held outdoors, there was a whirl of activity as students traveled to a new culture every 17 minutes, writing Egyptian hieroglyphics, watching a student performance of a Greek drama and playing a game with chopsticks.

“You get to learn about other cultures and do the activities,” said Paris Benson, 11, dressed in a caveman costume. “It’s really fun.”