Writing is pretty important to human development. That's a fact we can all agree on. But are we doing this subject justice? Are we miserably under-rating the importance of writing? I'm beginning to think we are not giving writing the importance it deserves in our classes, especially in Big History threshold 6. There is nothing we've done that has had a bigger impact than writing has on humanity. Writing leads to all technologies, and early humans came to writing naturally, amazing feat in itself, and it's perfection has accelerated learning in the most profound ways. I have a video here that makes me think we're not putting the correct emphasis on writing that we should in our history classes! If you do watch this video, you don't have to watch it all to see Finkel's humor. His absolute expertise is astounding.
-
I love this topic Bryan Dibble ! Many years ago, before I began teaching Big History, I read about a Canadian paleoanthropologist with a Master’s degree who studied the first writing symbols in caves. Her work was so compelling that I contacted her via email, and she graciously answered all the questions my students had. A couple of years ago, I looked her up and discovered that her research had expanded significantly. As a professor and researcher, Genevieve von Petzinger now has several videos available. I chose her TED Talk on ancient symbols to share with my students.
In connection with Finkel’s presentation, my students also write on clay tablets to recreate the cuneiform writing system of ancient Sumerians. Though it’s a simplified activity, my students love it.
-
-
Yes, Adriane Musacchio I used a block of clay borred from the Art Department (our students do ceramics). This is the link to Amazon. I didn't fire the tablets because our school recycles the clay for other art projects, but you can fire them if your school has kilns. I used both sides tablets with different groups, doubling their use. There is also clay available that can be fired at home
For the stylus, I used a wooden stick that a teacher cut in a wedge, and to cut the block of clay the art teacher gave me a string of wire.
-
Yes, Adriane Musacchio I used a block of clay borred from the Art Department (our students do ceramics). This is the link to Amazon. I didn't fire the tablets because our school recycles the clay for other art projects, but you can fire them if your school has kilns. I used both sides tablets with different groups, doubling their use. There is also clay available that can be fired at home
For the stylus, I used a wooden stick that a teacher cut in a wedge, and to cut the block of clay the art teacher gave me a string of wire.