Students become experts on Mexican history
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

DOCENTS- Students from Gila Brook's social studies class at Lindero Canyon Middle School share their new-found knowledge of ancient Mexican civilizations with visitors to their classroom.

Gila Brook's seventh-grade social studies class had much to celebrate last Friday. The small special education class was transformed into a museum and the students became docents, expertly leading their parents, teachers and others on a tour of ancient civilizations.

Brook said her students learned about Aztecs, Maya and Inca civilizations, and by the look of the class- decorated with projects, journals, artwork and artifacts- they learned plenty.

"I just wanted the kids to be proud of what they're doing," Brook said.

Each of the students brought in an item for the "artifact box," a little piece of their daily life that will be buried at the school with the hope it will be dug up by people living in the area 500 years from now. Included in the box was a message from each student explaining what their item meant to the people of 2008.

Alexis left a Sponge Bob toy and wrote, "In this box I leave you a Sponge Bob toy. Sponge Bob is a cartoon character that little kids like to watch."

Steven added a quarter to the box and wrote that the money was used to "buy things like bubble gum." Other artifacts ready for burying include a watch, a dog chain and a Reggie Bush rookie card.

Students role-played and documented the daily life of Mayans in their Maya Adventure log books. They included information on the types of crops cultivated, geography and other topics. One assignment allowed students to make up their own words. "Qwerty," wrote Jason Klavir, translated into the "god of computers."

"Chanachadirt," meant "god of dirt biking," and Tristen came up with "Rockzilla" for the "god of rock."

Students also wrote reports and journals about ancient artwork. One student wrote about Tezcatlipoca, the god of night, death and temptation. "It is said that he holds a smoking mirror cone-shaped charger," wrote the student. "He often appears as a jaguar."

Brook integrated true artifacts borrowed from the National Museum of Art in Los Angeles.

To top off the festivities, students, parents, teachers and other visitors enjoyed a Mexican feast donated by The Alamo restaurant in Agoura Hills.

Students will have more opportunities to demonstrate what they've learned in seventh-grade social studies, Brook said. The next educational unit will focus on China and the entire school will participate in an Old World fair and trade wares.