• compile a list of accomplishments of the peoples of ancient Mesopotamia.
  

• compose and type a paragraph that explains which of the Mesopotamian accomplishments has had the greatest impact on our world today.
  

• draw a picture of a major Mesopotamian accomplishment.

• create a map of the Middle East.
  

• produce a circle graph that illustrates the religions of the Middle East.
  

Per class

• Teacher Activity Worksheet  (View)

Per student team/group of 4

• Scissors

• Selection of markers, crayons, & colored pencils

• Glue (bottle or glue stick)

• Protractor

Per Student

• Empty cereal box that is cut and opened out to fold flat on student desk

• 3 pieces of blank, white computer paper

• Mesopotamia Display Board Project  (View)
• Map Worksheet  (View)
• Student Activity Worksheet  (View)

Not Specified

• Indicators  (View)

• Mesopotamia - An ancient land in southwestern Asia located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
• cuneiform - System of writing based on wedge-shaped symbols
• monotheism - Belief in one God
• taxation - Requirement to pay in order to support the government
• Judaism - The religion of the Jewish people

Set-up Directions:

Prior to day one, the teacher needs to have listed the major cultures of Mesopotamia on the chalkboard. Students must be placed in cooperative groups in order to conduct their search and compile their list of the accomplishments of the Mesopotamians. Each student will need his/her own cereal box. This can be a requirement for students to bring in weeks ahead of time if the teacher so chooses. Extra points can be awarded to students who bring in enough boxes for other students. The boxes will have to be trimmed so that they open out neatly and lay flat on desks in preparation for student work to be glued on. As an option, the teacher may want to completely finish one cereal box display board with all of the required components to be used as a model for students to see before they begin working on the first stage of their own boards.  Students will also, need a pencil and a piece of paper for today's lesson.

Teacher Presentation & Motivation:

The teacher will begin class by showing students a model of what they will produce by the end of this multi-day lesson. The students will look forward to using a box from one of their favorite cereal brands as they create an interdisciplinary, multi-media product over the course of the next few days in class. Explain that the first step will be to gather information needed to complete this display board. Introduce the names of the different cultures that lived and ruled over Mesopotamia before it came to be known as Iraq and the Middle East. (Some of the key cultures were the Sumerians, Babylonians, Israelites, Phoenicians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and the Lydians.)

Activity 1 - Researching Mesopotamian Accomplishments

Model and explain what students are going to be doing over the next few days. Then for today, have students meet in cooperative groups of 4 to compile a list of accomplishments for each of the major cultural groups of Mesopotamia. They may gather their information from their textbooks or the internet.

Activity 2 - Sharing Mesopotamian Accomplishments

Have each group present a different culture and share the accomplishments of each culture. All students should refine their own lists to eliminate the erroneous information and to boost the quality of the accomplishments they do have. As a class, discuss the definitions and importance of these accomplishments as they are reviewed.

Wrap Up:

The teacher will lead a class discussion that answers the daily challenge question.

Set-up Directions:

Students will need their lists from the previous day.  Students will also need a pencil, crayons, markers, colored pencils, a piece of paper, their display boards, scissors, and glue.  Copy the Student Activity Worksheet, the Mesopotamia Display Board Project worksheet, and the Map Worksheet for each student.  Have computers available for student to use Microsoft Word.  Also have The Nystrom Desk Atlas available in the classroom.

Teacher Presentation & Motivation:

Review the accomplishments discussed in the previous day's lesson.  Have the students verbally list the cultures and their accomplishments.  Tell students that they will be working on the computer for half of the time today and will be creating a map for their display board for the rest of the time.

Activity 1 - Paragraph Reflection

Give each student the Student Activity Worksheet, the Mesopotamia Display Board Project worksheet, and the Map Worksheet. Review these worksheets with the class.  Students must choose one accomplishment from their list.  They must type one paragraph on the computer that explains which of the accomplishments of the ancient Mesopotamians' has had the greatest affect on our world today.  Some possible choices might include the Sumerians' cuneiform (which led to the world's first written language); Phoenicians' alphabet (which led to the alphabet that we use today); Lydians' coins (the first monetary unit of currency); Babylonians' code of laws; and the Israelites' Ten Commandments (which formed the basis of 3 important world religions).  Also students could type and print out the Accomplishments from the day before.  Both the list of accomplishments and the paragraph can be glued onto their display boards.  Have several students share their paragraph prior to the ending of this activity.

Activity 2 - Mapping the Middle East

Today, students use the Map Worksheet to create a map of the Middle East. They should use a desk atlas or textbook to label at least 15 countries and then color them in. These maps should be cut out and glued onto their display boards.  Have several students share their maps with the class in order to bring closure to this activity.

Wrap Up:

The display boards should be ¾ completed by now. Ask a student who is confident that her/his project is done well to display and explain hers/his in front of the class. Class discussion can focus on the greatest needs for everyone to consider as they go into the final day of this assignment.  The teacher will lead a discussion that answers the daily challenge question.

Set-up Directions:

A computer with Internet access should be available for student use.  Bookmark the Middle East Information Network at www.mideastinfo.com/religion.html.  Students will need a pencil, crayons, markers, colored pencils, paper, scissors, glue, and a protractor for today's lesson. 

Teacher Presentation & Motivation:

Have several students share their display boards with the class.  Discuss with the students today's activities, and explain that it is the last day to complete the display boards.

Activity 1 - Circle Graphs

Today, students are given time to search the internet for the religions of the Middle East.  They may use the Middle East Information Network, which is bookmarked on the computer. They must discover how many religions there are and what the percentage of each in that region is. If time is short, resources are minimal, or students need assistance, recent figures show that 90% is Muslim, 7% Jewish, 2% Christian, and 1% Other Religions. Students should use whatever materials the teacher desires to make their circle graphs, including protractors, rulers, plastic lids from food cans, or the inside circle of masking tape rolls. Students then must label, color, and glue.  Have students share their findings in order to bring closure to this activity.

Activity 2 - Drawing Illustrations and Conclusion

Students will draw a picture to illustrate and connect the ideas on their display boards. Once drawn and labeled, they should color them and glue them to their display boards.  Have several students share their illustrations and conclusions at the end of this activity.

Wrap Up:

Have several students share their display boards with the class.  The teacher will lead a discussion which answers the Class Challenge Question posed at the beginning of Day One.