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Subject

English Language Arts (2005), English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)

Description

This lesson will introduce the vocabulary terms for the first three steps to civilization, along with some vocabulary of Mesopotamia. Terminology for the last two steps of civilization will be covered in another lesson. The activities are geared for a sixth grade 15:1 special education social studies class.

Duration

One to two forty-five minute periods

Objective

Students will be able to:

• Define vocabulary of Mesopotamia by completing a vocabulary web for each of the seven terms; fertile, irrigation, silt, drought, levee, canal, and plateau.
• Describe the geography of Mesopotamia and the "Steps to Early Civilization" by completing a 6-8 sentence paragraph in their Social Studies journal.
• Summarize information by taking notes on each of the slides presented in class.

Procedure

Review : The first five slides of the file Five Steps to Civilization are a review of material. Slide 2 defines the terms ancient and civilization. Slide 3 is an overview of the steps to early civilization. On Slide 4, the students will review how the nomads were hunter/gatherers and that they hunted for their meat and gathered plants for their food.

1. One of the first civilizations was in Mesopotamia. Slides 5-7 provide an overview of Mesopotamia and it's geography.
2. Slides 8-10 will focus on geography terms. Students will create vocabulary webs in their notes. The Mesopotamia Vocabulary Web should include: the term, definition, sentence, and picture (Please see the sample web below for specification).
3. Use Slide 11 to make sure students have all vocabulary words (7 words)
4. Use Slide 12 to review what a Drought is.
5. Use Slide 13 to review vocabulary words.

Five Steps to Civilization

Mesopotamia Vocabulary Web

Mesopotamia_Vocabulary_Web - Sample.notebook

Assessment

Using the last slide, the students will choose the correct term and place it in the appropriate blank. Students will be graded on their journal entry using the attached rubric.

Rubric-Steps to Early civilization.doc

Related Academic Standards

New York State

6R2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text. (RI&RL)

RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

ELA.6.W.1.B Students take notes to record and organize relevant data, facts, and ideas.

ELA.6.W.3.A Students use strategies, such as note taking, semantic webbing or mapping, and outlining, to plan and organize writing.

ELA.6.L.1.A Students follow a sequence of instructions consisting of at least three steps when engaging in a task or assignment.

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