Download unit overview: early civilizations

Pre-AP World History I
Mr. Briscoe
Name: _____________________________
First Quarter
UNIT OVERVIEW: EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
The first great civilizations in world history arose in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China in the period
from 3500-500 B.C. Often referred to as Ancient History, this era witnessed the emergence of unique
cultures that produced architectural wonders, the world’s first empires, and a wide range of religious
traditions. In this unit, we will compare and contrast these major civilizations and explore one of the
world’s oldest faiths, Judaism. We will also be working towards the development of an original research
question that will be the starting point for your History Fair paper and presentation.
Schedule of Topics/Activities/Assignments (subject to change)
M Oct 3
Intro to the Unit; Focus: Settling Down; Sumer: The First Civilization
W Oct 5
Focus: The Great Flood; Empire Builders; Hammurabi’s Code
DUE: 1. Completed “Early River Valley Civilizations” Maps (assigned 9/29)
2. Read Ancient World History (AWH), Ch. 2, section 1, “City-States in
Mesopotamia”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): Fertile Crescent, silt, irrigation,
city-state, dynasty, cultural diffusion, polytheism, Epic of Gilgamesh, Sargon,
Akkadian Empire, Babylonian Empire, Hammurabi’s Code
F Oct 7
Library Lab: Topic Definition & Formulating a Research Question (meet in 208)
DUE: Research Topic Mind Map (due by the end of class)
W Oct 12
The Gift of the Nile; Security/Safety Drills (PSAT testing in the morning)*
F Oct 14
Focus: The Great Pyramids; Egypt’s Culture of Death
DUE: Read AWH, Ch. 2, section 2, “Pyramids on the Nile”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): cataract, delta, Menes, Old Kingdom,
pharaohs, theocracy, pyramid, mummification, The Book of the Dead, hieroglyphics,
papyrus, Middle Kingdom
SHORT ANSWERS (write out answers for the start of class):
1. What was the “Gift of the Nile” and how did it help to shape ancient
Egyptian civilization? Consider the impact of the Nile on agriculture, trade,
and government.
2. Describe three major cultural characteristics of ancient Egyptian
civilization. Consider religion, society, writing, science, and technology.
T Oct 18
Quiz #2: Mesopotamia & Egypt; Egypt’s New Kingdom
DUE: Read AWH, Ch. 4, section 1, “The Empires of Egypt and Nubia Collide”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): Hyksos, New Kingdom, Hatshepsut,
Thutmose III, Nubia, Hittites, Ramses II, Abu Simbel, Kush, Meroe
TH Oct 20
Focus: Peoples of the Sea; Essay Lab: Comparing and Contrasting Civilizations
DUE: 1.Mind Maps for Mesopotamia and Egypt (assigned 10-12)
2.Read AWH, Ch. 3, section 3, “Seafaring Traders Extend Boundaries”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): Minoans, Crete, Aegean Sea, Knossos,
King Minos, Phoenicians, alphabet
M Oct 24
In-Class Essay: Comparing and Contrasting Civilizations; The Ancient Hebrews
DUE: Bring completed essay outline for use on the in-class essay
*Class time may be seriously shortened due to events during Homecoming Week/PSAT Testing
W Oct 26
Focus: Judaism; Ancient Israel
DUE: Read AWH, Ch. 3, section 4, “The Origins of Judaism”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): Palestine, Canaan, Hebrews (Jews),
Torah, Abraham, monotheism, covenant, Moses, Exodus, The Ten Commandments,
Israel, David, Solomon, Judah, tribute, Babylonian Captivity
SHORT ANSWERS (write out answers for the start of class):
1. According to the traditions of the Torah, how did the ancient Hebrews establish
themselves as a unique society? Consider traditions related to Abraham, Moses,
and the Exodus.
2. Explain the idea of a covenant in Hebrew tradition and explain why it was
important. How would it help to promote a stable and unified society?
F Oct 28
Quiz #3: The Ancient Middle East & Mediterranean; Ancient India & China
DUE: Read AWH, Ch. 2, sections 3-4, “Planned Cities on the Indus” and “River
Dynasties in China”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): subcontinent, monsoons, Mohenjo-Daro,
loess, Xia dynasty, Shang dynasty, oracle bones, Zhou dynasty, Mandate of Heaven,
dynastic cycle, feudalism
T Nov 1
Focus: The Assyrians; Unit Review
DUE: Read AWH, Ch. 4, section 2, “Assyria Dominates the Fertile Crescent”
VOCABULARY (review for the start of class): Assyria, Sennacherib, Nineveh,
Ashurbanipal, Medes, Chaldeans,, Nebuchadnezzar
SHORT ANSWERS (write out answers for the start of class – from Ch. 2 above):
1. How did environmental factors help to support the development of civilization
in the Indus River Valley? Describe at least three characteristics of the Indus
River Valley civilization and explain why they stand out to you.
2. What was the “Mandate of Heaven” and how did it shape early Chinese
civilization? How would this concept and other social factors have contributed
to the ultimate stability of Chinese society?
TH Nov 3
Unit Test: Early Civilizations
DUE: 1.Binder Check
2.Research Question Form for History Fair Paper (assigned 10-7)
Quizzes
The quiz scheduled for October 18 will focus on content related to Mesopotamia and Egypt up through the
Egyptian Middle Kingdom. The third and last quiz of the quarter scheduled for October 28 will focus on
the Egyptian New Kingdom, the Minoans, the Phoenicians, the Hebrews, and Judaism. Note that some
questions may carry over content from the previous unit or from material within this unit. Each quiz will
consist of 20 multiple-choice questions and will take 20 minutes to complete. All three quizzes for the
quarter will be averaged together and constitute 20% of the quarter grade.
Textbook Vocabulary and Short Answers
Remember that vocabulary terms do not need to be written out but you are encouraged to do so if that
proves helpful to you. Short answers need to be written out and brought to the start of class on the assigned
due date in order to earn full credit. Please work ahead on assignments as possible, especially the Egypt
assignment due on October 14 (Homecoming Friday).
Compare/Contrast Essay & Unit Test
The last two major assessments of the quarter will be the in-class compare and contrast essay scheduled for
October 24 and the unit test for Early Civilizations on November 3. Each major assessment will be
averaged in with the first unit test grade and together constitute 50% of the quarter grade. We will spend
significant class time preparing for the essay and reviewing for the unit test. A unit test study guide will be
provided by October 28.