Download Lesson Summary The earliest civilization

LESSON
4
Mesopotamia
(Student Book pages 22–27)
Lesson Summary The earliest civilization was in
Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers. The rivers created fertile soil and easy
irrigation for crops. Sumer was the first city-state. It
was conquered by the Akkadians, who set up the
first empire. Later, Babylonians established the trading
center of Babylon and began conquering their
neighbors. Their ruler, Hammurabi, is known for his
code of laws, which was the first code of justice in
human history.
TARGET VOCABULARY
civilization an organized group of people
fertile able to grow crops
ancient very old
irrigation using ditches to bring water from rivers
to farm fields
city-state a city and the land around it
conquer take control of
empire a large area of land ruled by one person
code a group of laws
justice fair laws
punishment a penalty for doing wrong
COGNATES
Spanish-speaking students may find a discussion
of the similarities and differences between English
and Spanish cognates helpful.
English
civilization fertile
ancient
conquer
empire
Spanish
civilización
fértil
antiguo
conquistar
imperio
BEFORE READING
Activate Prior Knowledge Ask students to explain how they know what laws
they should follow. Ask them to imagine if basic laws
were different from state to state. How would that
make life more difficult? Ask students to use their prior
knowledge to tell how a system of laws is important
to how a city operates.
Introduce Target Vocabulary Tell students that they are about to read a selection
about the earliest human civilization. Write the
target vocabulary words on the board. Model the
pronunciation of each word and have student
volunteers repeat the word. Discuss the meaning of
each word and, if necessary, write the definition next
to the word.
Present Graphic Organizer Provide each student with a copy of Vocabulary Graphic
Organizer: What Is It Like?, Teacher Guide page 77.
Have students choose or assign each student a target
vocabulary word. As they read, students should write
antonyms, synonyms, and examples about the target
vocabulary word to the graphic organizer.
Word and Definition Cards
for Lesson 4 are on pages 105 and 106
of the Teacher Guide.
VOCABULARY STRATEGY: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Remind students that knowing the meaning of the
suffixes added to a root word can help them
understand the meaning of an unknown word. Ask
students to look at the target vocabulary words
civilization and irrigation. Tell students that the suffix
-tion is one that forms a noun. It changes meaning
28
to be “the act of _____ing,” or “the state of
being ___ed.” For example, civilization means
“the state of being civilized.” Irrigation means
“the act of irrigating.” Ask students to think
of other words that end in -tion for which they
can figure the meaning.
Mesopotamia
Sumer
LESSON
4
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
The first civilization appeared in southern
Mesopotamia about 3000 B.C. It was called Sumer.
Sumerians lived in city-states. A city-state was a city
and the land around it. City-states were separate and
had their own rulers.
The Sumerian city-states often went to war with each
You’ve learned about how agriculture led to the first villages. Now read
this selection to find out how the first villages grew into larger cities.
other. These wars weakened them. About 2350 B.C, the
neighboring Akkadians were able to conquer, or take
Mesopotamia
control of, Sumer. Their powerful king, Sargon, set up
This Sumerian box shows food being
brought to a feast as guests listen
to a musician play.
the world’s first empire. An empire is a large area of
The Fertile Crescent
land ruled by one person. But Sargon’s empire did not last.
Over time, the first farming villages grew into civilizations.
After about 500 years, a new people conquered Mesopotamia.
A civilization is an organized group of people with advanced
knowledge. The first civilization was in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia
Hammurabi and the Babylonians
lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East. In fact,
The new people were the Babylonians. They built a great
Mesopotamia means “the land between the rivers.” Mesopotamia is
city, Babylon, on the banks of the Euphrates. Babylon became a
part of a larger area called the Fertile Crescent. A fertile region is able
trade center. Under its king, Hammurabi, Babylon conquered its
to grow crops. Many ancient, or very old, civilizations grew up in the
neighbors in the Fertile Crescent. It became a large empire.
Fertile Crescent.
Hammurabi is famous for his code, or group of laws. He
Why did the first civilizations appear in Mesopotamia? Fertile
combined the best laws from each city-state. The Code of
soil made it easier to grow food for many people. Farmers dug
Hammurabi tried to bring justice, or fair laws, to everyone. The
ditches to bring water from the rivers to their fields. This is called
Code explained what deeds were crimes. It covered farm and
irrigation. The rivers
business activities. It also covered family life.
The Fertile Crescent
made it easier to move
from place to place.
People also used the
MESOPOTAMIA
Fertile
Crescent
harsh punishments for crimes. A punishment is a penalty for
doing wrong.
is
gr
r
ve
Ri
The Great Sea
(Mediterranean Sea)
Babylon
ARABIA
EGYPT
d
Re
Sumer
(P Lo
er we
sia r
n Sea
G
ul
f)
My Social Studies Vocabulary
a
r
ve
Ri
Se
ile
N
22
Hammurabi created
the first code of laws.
Ti
Akkad
phr
ate
sR
ive
r
Eu
rivers for trade.
The laws were fair, but they were also cruel. They required
Caspian
Sea
Go to page 95 to list other words you have learned
about Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamia
DURING READING Read the selection aloud to students as they follow
along in their book, pausing at the end of each
paragraph or section. Review words or concepts that
students are having trouble understanding. Remind
students that there is a glossary at the back of their
book that contains all of the words that appear in
boldfaced type in the lesson.
•
Refer to the map of the Fertile Crescent and point
out that it is shaped like a crescent moon. Point
out that even today on some maps, this area is
colored green to show its great fertility.
•
Explain that a city-state had some features of a
city and some features of a state. For example, like
a city, the city-state was primarily one large urban,
or semi-urban area. However, like a state, its leader
ruled over the city with a set of rules and laws that
were different from other city-states in the region.
•
Point out that the word code has many different
meanings. In this case it means “code of law.”
Invite students to identify several other meanings
of the word.
Mesopotamia
23
AFTER READING
Review Graphic Organizer Answer any questions students have about the
reading selection. Then have students complete or
review their graphic organizer and share it with
the class.
Summarize Have students work together to come up with either a
written or an oral summary of the lesson. Encourage
students to use the target vocabulary words as the
basis of their summary. Have students share their
summary with the class.
My Social Studies Vocabulary Encourage students to turn to My Social Studies
Vocabulary on page 95 of the student book and use
the space provided to add other words about
Mesopotamia.
Have students read the selection again on their own.
Mesopotamia
29
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
A.
B.
Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary word.
1.
a group of laws organized in a clear way
c
2.
d
1. An early (code, city-state) known as Sumer was the first civilization.
city-state
e
2. The code of Hammurabi is an (ancient, irrigation) collection of laws.
very old
a
3.
o
n
c
i
e
n
ancient
t
3. The king of Babylon was famous for his (punishment, code) of laws.
take control of
c
o
Circle the word that makes sense in each sentence. Then write the word.
n
q
u
e
code
r
4. Sumer, the world’s first (civilization, irrigation), grew up in Mesopotamia.
4.
an organized group of people
c
5.
6.
7.
i
v
i
l
i
z
civilization
a
a city and the land around it
c
i
t
y - s t a t
penalty for doing wrong
p u n i
s h m
able to grow crops
f e r
t
i
t
i
o
n
5. A penalty for doing wrong is known as a (punishment, justice).
punishment
e
6. The purpose of a code of laws is to bring (civilization, justice) to everyone.
justice
e
n
t
7. Digging ditches to carry water to farm fields is called (justice, irrigation).
irrigation
l
e
8. People called the Akkadians were able to (fertile, conquer) or take control of,
Sumer.
8.
the state of having fair laws
j u s
t
i c e
9.
a large area of land ruled by one person
e m p i
r e
conquer
9. Hammurabi’s (empire, city-state) came about when Babylon conquered its
empire
neighbors in the Fertile Crescent.
using ditches to bring water from rivers to farm fields
i
r
r
i g a t
i o n
W
10.
10. A (fertile, ancient) region is able to grow crops.
fertile
RD ROOT
O
The word justice comes from the Latin word
justitia, which means “righteousness.”
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Mesopotamia
ACTIVITIES A–D Encourage students to complete as many of the
activities as possible. Remind students that they may
refer to the Glossary at the back of their book as
they complete the activities. Students may work
independently, in small groups, or as a class. When
students are done, discuss the answers for each
activity.
25
Mesopotamia
WORD ROOT
Explain to students that righteousness is similar in
meaning to justice. Righteousness means “the
condition of being right or just.” Discuss with
students how the words are similar and have them
use each one in a sentence.
Extensions These extension ideas allow you to reuse or expand
upon the activities. Share them with students who
complete the activities before other students, or have
students do them for additional practice with target
vocabulary words.
A Make a word puzzle out of the target vocabulary
words and challenge students to find all the
words.
C Invite students to choose two or more sentences
from the worksheet to illustrate, as if the
sentence were a caption for a textbook image.
B For the word that was not chosen in each item,
D Write a second sentence that provides details or
have students write a sentence to describe its
meaning.
examples related to the sentence you wrote.
30
Mesopotamia
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
Students’ answers will vary.
C.
D.
Choose the correct vocabulary word to complete each sentence.
conquer
1. The Akkadians were able to
Use each word in a sentence that shows you understand the meaning of the word.
A fertile region is one that is able to grow crops.
1. fertile
, or take control of,
Sumer.
city-state
2. A
justice
3. Laws like Hammurabi’s code are meant to bring
to
4. Over time, the first farming villages combined to become a
The new code of laws explained what deeds were crimes.
4. code
.
5. Mesopotamia is part of a larger area called the
The world’s first civilization was in Mesopotamia.
3. civilization
a people.
civilization
A city-state had its own ruler.
2. city-state
was a city and the land around it.
Fertile
5. punishment
Punishment for a crime could be very harsh in ancient
Babylon.
Crescent.
code
6. The Babylonian king created a
of laws using the
We can learn by studying an ancient empire like Sumer.
6. empire
best laws from each city-state.
7. Bringing water from rivers to farm fields is called
8. The code of Hammurabi often required a harsh
irrigation
for
9. Sargon, king of the Akkadians, set up the world’s first
10. Many
ancient
Justice is being fair to everyone.
8. justice
a crime.
empire
Irrigation allowed farmers to grow more food.
7. irrigation
.
punishment
Kingdoms in Mesopotamia were often able to conquer their
neighbors.
9. conquer
.
, or very old, civilizations grew up in the
Artifacts from Sumer are very ancient.
10. ancient
Fertile Crescent.
Write!
Write your response to the prompt on a separate sheet of paper.
Use as many vocabulary words as you can in your writing.
Imagine that you were asked to create a code of laws, like Hammurabi’s. Write
the introduction to your code. Explain what the main ideas of your law code are.
26
Mesopotamia
27
Mesopotamia
Write! Distribute Writing Graphic Organizer: Main Idea and
Details Chart, Teacher Guide page 80. Tell students to
write several possible main ideas for their code of
justice. By writing details, students may be able to tell
which ideas are the strongest. Have them summarize
the main ideas of the code.
Sample Answer
One main idea of my law code is that everyone should
be treated the same. There would be no justice if the laws
did not apply to everyone equally. What’s right for rich
and powerful people is right for poor and powerless
people, too. It doesn’t matter who you are—there is one
code of laws for everyone. Another idea of my law code is
that everyone has to know what the laws are. They have
to be printed in clear language so everyone can
understand them. That way, no one can say that he
or she didn’t know something was wrong.
TAKE
HOME
4
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
Use vocabulary words to complete the puzzle.
Mesopotamia
1
J U S T
I
2
C E
I
3
4
F
T
5
C O D E
8
C
6
I
Y
R
N
R
S
T
C
R
T
I
V
A
I
L
7
C
O
I
Z A T
L
E
G
T
I
O N
Q
E
N
A
E
U
T
T
E
9
I
E M P
I
R E
O
10
P U N
I
S H M E N T
ACROSS
DOWN
1
fair laws
2
a city and the land around it
4
a group of laws
3
able to grow crops
8
an organized group of people
with advanced knowledge
5
very old
6
using ditches to bring water
from rivers to farm fields
7
take control of
9
a large area of land ruled
by one person
10
a penalty for doing wrong
TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY Assign the Take-Home Activity to students for
additional practice with the target vocabulary words.
The reproducible Take-Home Activity for Lesson 4 is
on page 87 of the Teacher Guide.
Mesopotamia
Tell someone in your family what you have learned about Mesopotamia.
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations, Lesson 4
87
31
Date
Name
Vocabulary Graphic Organizer: What Is It Like?
Definition
What is it like?
Word
Examples
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations
77
Name
Date
Writing Graphic Organizer: Main Idea and Details Chart
Main Idea
Details
1.
2.
3.
80
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations
TAKE
HOME
4
civilization
ancient
city-state
empire
justice
fertile
irrigation
conquer
code
punishment
Use vocabulary words to complete the puzzle.
Mesopotamia
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
ACROSS
DOWN
1 fair laws
2 a city and the land around it
4 a group of laws
3 able to grow crops
8 an organized group of people
with advanced knowledge
5 very old
9 a large area of land ruled
by one person
6 using ditches to bring water
from rivers to farm fields
7 take control of
10 a penalty for doing wrong
Tell someone in your family what you have learned about Mesopotamia.
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations, Lesson 4
87
civilization
conquer
fertile
empire
ancient
code
irrigation
justice
city-state
punishment
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations, Lesson 4—Word Cards
105
106
take control of
an organized group of people with
advanced knowledge
a large area of land ruled by one
person
able to grow crops
a group of laws
very old
fair laws
using ditches to bring water from
rivers to farm fields
a penalty for doing wrong
a city and the land around it
©Curriculum Associates, Inc. Passwords: Social Studies Vocabulary, Ancient Civilizations, Lesson 4—Word Cards