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Unit 2: Mesopotamia Overview In this ten-day unit, students will focus on the river valley civilization of Mesopotamia. Students will compare language, government, trade systems, architecture, religion, and forms of social order with other river valley civilizations. This is the first and only time that students will learn about early river civilizations. Although it is the first time that students have been taught about the fundamental beliefs and diffusion of Eastern religions. In World Geography, students will study the fundamental beliefs of the Eastern religions, their diffusion throughout the world and their impact on cultural beliefs of various societies. In this sixth grade unit, students will focus on the river valley civilization of Mesopotamia. Students will compare language, government, trade systems, architecture, religion, and forms of social order with other river valley civilizations. Emphasis is placed on the origin, principles, and spread of Judaism and its philosophies. Within this unit, time has been included for teachers to allow for differentiation, review, and assessment. Enduring Understanding Essential Questions The first humans were hunter-gatherer nomads who continually traveled in search for food but as they developed better ways of doing things, they began to develop into the world’s first civilizations. Establishing written languages, governments, and specializations of labor, these societies developed customs that still endure today. Overarching- Why is Mesopotamia called the Cradle of Civilization? 1. How did physical geography affect the development of Ancient Mesopotamia? 2. How did religion affect Ancient Mesopotamia? 3. What role did government play in Ancient Mesopotamia? 4. How did Ancient Mesopotamia use technology to meet community and personal needs? SC Academic Standards 2011 Standard 6-1: The students will demonstrate an understanding of the development of the cradles of civilization as people moved from a nomadic existence to a settled life. Unit Indicators 6-1.3 Compare the river valley civilizations of the Tigris and Euphrates (Mesopotamia), the Nile (Egypt), the Indus (India), and the Huang He (China), including the evolution of written language, government, trade systems, architecture, and forms of social order. 6-1.4 Explain the origins, fundamental beliefs, and spread of Eastern religions, including Hinduism (India), Judaism (Mesopotamia), Buddhism (India), and Confucianism and Taoism (China). *Be sure to access the content-area reading and writing priority standards within ACPS Curriculum. Indicator Know Understand Do 6-1.3 -how the river valley civilizations of the Tigris and Euphrates, the Nile, the Indus, and the Huang He compare -the critical components common to most civilizations and serve as a basis for comparing the standing and/or advancement of civilizations -the evolution of written language -the significant commonalities and differences in writing systems (pictographs/symbols vs. Create a T-chart that compares Hammurabi's Code to current laws and punishment in the United States -the different forms of government -the trade systems for each civilization -similarities and differences in architecture -the different forms of social order Teacher Background Resources Mesopotamia Government sounds/symbols - the significant commonalities and differences in social order - the significant commonalities and differences in architecture - the significant commonalities and differences in how societies were divided (hierarchy, labor) - the significant commonalities and differences in the development of government (particularly law codes) -the most notable examples within each civilization (ziggurats, pyramids, temples, hieroglyphics, cuneiform, Hammurabi’s Code Create a map that contains the major civilizations of the River Valley region Classroom Lesson Mesopotamia Lessons Mesopotamia Lessons Mesopotamia Lessons -how to locate these civilizations on a map -the impact of the natural environment on the development on each civilization (role of rivers, trade routes, deserts and mountains) -that as surplus production of goods arose within each civilization, trade networks developed that not only provided additional goods and resources to each civilization, but also assisted with cultural diffusion Indicator Know 6-1.4 - the origins, fundamental beliefs, and spread of Eastern religions (Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism) Teacher Background Teaching Judaism -why major trading routes developed along waterways Understand -understand the significance of the origin, principles and spread of these religions and philosophies -that Yahweh (God) created a covenant with Abraham in which he and his descendants would receive the land of Canaan Do Create a comparison chart of the Ten Commandments and how they are reflected in our society Lesson Plans -the founders were Abraham (Father of the Hebrews) and Moses was the law- Judaism giver and author of the first books of the Torah -Judaism is the first major monotheistic religion based on one God what is all knowing, powerful, merciful, and just -the Hebrews believed they are a chosen people and possess a unique relationship with Yahweh -that the relationship between Yahweh and his chosen people is symbolized through the land of Israel -God revealed his law through Moses and the Ten Commandments -the Torah contains the sacred writing of Judaism -the Torah teaches that Yahweh rewards people according to their deeds, that a Messiah will one day restore the nation of Israel, and that there is an afterlife -Judaism is mainly practiced by the Hebrew people and today there are still adherents of Judaism throughout the world due to the conquest of Jewish lands and the dispersal of the Jewish people by conquering empires nomad city –state Ensi ziggurat law code pictograph cuneiform polytheism monotheism agriculture -Judaism is not a religion that actively seeks to convert others Domain-Specific Vocabulary surplus irrigation innovation divine kingship Torah Yahweh/Jehovah diaspora covenant descendants barter Teacher Background: Government and Justice System Mesopotamia Staff Room: Background, Discussions, Worksheets, Follow-ups Lesson Key to Civilizations: Handout River Valley: Tigris-Euphrates Mesopotamia: Law and Government Lesson Mesopotamia: Timeline Middle East History Interactive Mesopotamia: Writing Lesson Mesopotamia: Interactive Archaeological Dig Gilgamesh: The Cedar Forest Gilgamesh: Power Point Lesson Hammurabi's Code: DBQ Trade Routes: Interactive Story Mesopotamia: Source List Judaism: Information Sheet and Facts Jewish Beliefs: Religion Facts Torah: Basics Five Books of Moses: Basic Understanding