Cave Explorers

Brittany Dawson

Grade Level: 4th Grade

Content Area: Science
Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.7
Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text,
identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.
ESS1-4-1
Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers for changes in a landscape
over time to support an
explanation for changes in a landscape over time.

Materials List:
● Shoe box
● Paints and brushes
● Cotton balls
● Construction paper
● String
● Paper
● Pencil

Project Description/Instructions
This project is an after unit to check understanding in a fun and creative type of way.

1. Get into groups of 3 or 4 and decide what types of formations you want in your cave
2. Each group gets one shoe box to create a cave with formations such as stalactites, stalagmites,
subterranean lakes, bats, snakes, bears, bugs, moss, etc.
3. Students will have one class period to work on the diorama and another class period to work on
the paper. If a third day to finish up is deemed necessary, then it will be added.
4. After completing, students should work together to write a ¾ to 1 page paper describing what
they created, talking about each element and why they included it, using the terms that we have
been learning.
5. Each student will turn in a form rating their group members on how well they participated in
creating both the diorama and the paper.
 Roman Scroll
Brittany Dawson

Grade Level: Middle School 6-8th

Content Area: Social Studies/History
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

6-9.GEH.1.8.1 Describe major aspects of the civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere prior to European
contact.

Materials List:
● Paper
● Pen
● Wax
● Stamping options
● Books/sites about Rome for reference
● Popsicle sticks
● Precut strips of paper as wide as a popsicle stick
● Toilet paper rolls

Project Description/Instructions:

1. Students will be creating a scroll or decree as they did in Roman times to tell the common people
some sort of announcement as chosen by the student
2. The decree should be well researched to be fitting for the time period and utilizing the terms and
what it would be like then.
3. Choose an audience, is this for other higher ups in the Roman government or the common peasant
to be taxed and ordered around?
4. Make sure that students sign it as either themselves or a Roman figure type name.
5. Students will receive a pre-glued together popsicle stick scroll with paper to write their decree on
6. Students will then choose a stamp and color of wax and watch as the teacher stamps near their
signature after they finish
7. Students will cover toilet paper rolls in their choice color of construction paper and then that will
be stamped the same as their decree with wax by the teacher
8. Students will present their decree to the class and then explain their backing on why they think it
would be decreed in that time period.