The Development of Mesopotamian Civilization

Students explore the great civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia: Sumer, Akkad, the Assyrian Empire, and the Babylonian Empire. In Scenes 2 and 3, a video and several websites provide information from which, in Scene 4, small groups will prepare a report on the civilizations.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for The Development of Mesopotamian Civilization:

Attributions

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students explore the great civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia: Sumer, Akkad, the Assyrian Empire, and the Babylonian Empire. They use a video and several websites to obtain information and prepare a report on the civilizations.

Students will work together in small groups in scene 4.

Objectives

Describe the history of early Mesopotamia.
Identify important social and political achievements in Mesopotamian civilization.
Explain the development of social, political, economic, and religious systems in Mesopotamia.

This experience will take you on a trip back in time to the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia.

Objectives

Describe the history of early Mesopotamia.
Identify important social and political achievements in Mesopotamian civilization.
Explain the development of social, political, economic, and religious systems in Mesopotamia.

boat and men wading in water with buildings on the bank

The Tigris River

The word Mesopotamia means “between two rivers.” It is a place that is often called the “cradle of civilization.”

What do you think those two phrases mean? What characteristics do you think a place like that might have?

Post your answer

Discuss student responses. They may know about aspects of Mesopotamia from the Mesopotamia: Geography and Environment experience. As applicable, have them briefly review their knowledge. Then, encourage them to develop several guiding questions for an experience that is focused on history, government, economics, and culture in that region.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Early Civilizations and Cultures Unit.