DIG

DIG is a study of both human cultures and archeology.  Each class creates an imaginary culture and creates artifacts to go along with that culture.  For example, a class 3 years ago created the "ichthians"- a society of mermaids who lived underwater.  The class then creates about 50 artifacts that would be unique to this culture and buries them outside.  The other class then digs up these artifacts, and without knowing anything about the culture, uses the artifacts to figure out all the elements of that society from family traditions to their government.  Since I have 2 6th grade classes, each class has an imaginary culture to "find."

 Futuropolis

In Futuropolis, students study futuristic issues such as overpopulation, cloning, global warming, technology, and much more.  After learning what the experts say the future might look like, students work in groups to create a future city.  They design new methods of transportation, communication, education, and government, while solving problems that people of the future might face.