On April 24, Providence Christian School of Texas fifth-grade students experienced life in ancient Mesopotamia nearly five thousand years ago, to the dawn of written history.  

Each year, Providence students study a different part of history, and the year culminates in the spring with a different “Living History Day” for each grade. The Class Five history curriculum covered Biblical times through Ancient Greece, so parents, teachers, and students all participated in a day of fun activities dressed in period costumes from these different periods to reinforce what has been learned in the classroom this year.

The children practiced writing Cuneiform documents on clay tablets, by means of a blunt reed for a stylus. The impressions left by the stylus were wedge shaped, thus giving rise to the name cuneiform (“wedge shaped,” from the Latin cuneus meaning “wedge”).

The other morning activities included Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Croquet, Tower of Babel, and Mosaic Creations. In the Mummy Relay, the children took turns wrapping each other up like a mummy and racing to a finish line; they then switched roles and raced back. They enjoyed a Mesopotamian lunch of beef and chicken gyros, rice, hummus with pita, and grapes. The day ended with Ancient Greek Olympics, with chariot races, a discuss toss, an armor relay, and a javelin throw.

“Our students learned that our ancestors created beautiful art and architecture, and invented an alphabet system and language,” said Carol Chester, Providence’s Head of Lower School.

More information about the School can be found by calling 214-302-2800 or by clicking here.