Mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent

Aim: How did the Tigris and Euphrates rivers help the world’s first civilization? Do Now: Why do you think rivers helped in the growth of the first civilization? Draw on your knowledge of geography to infer the benefits of the Tigris and Euphrates.

Questions based on video 1 State the importance of irrigation. Draw an image of Mesopotamia in your binder. Recall how tilling land benefit crop growth. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Predict the growth of Mesopotamia’s region. Infer what the importance of irrigation was/is. Identify patterns between the Neolithic Era and Mesopotamia. 3 Critique the lifestyle of hunters and gatherers. Compare it to the Fertile Crescent. Construct an argument for why living in Mesopotamia is beneficial for life. 4 Apply concepts from the prehistoric era and compare it to the Fertile Crescent. Analyze similarities and differences. Create a Venn diagram of “prehistory” and “Mesopotamia.” List similarities and differences.

Homework Read 134 - 137

Possible Answers Irrigation allowed crops to be grown by supplying water to an area of land. Irrigation lead to the growth of civilizations. One similarity between the Neolithic era and Mesopotamia is the use of agriculture. The life of hunters and gatherers was tough and short lived. Agriculture proved to be more beneficial to civilization. One similarity between the Neolithic era and Mesopotamia is the use of agriculture. (Etc.)

Important Vocabulary Mesopotamia - The land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates). Fertile Crescent – A large arc of rich and fertile farmland. Silt – A mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks. Irrigation – A way of supplying water to an area of land. Canals – Human made waterways. Division of Labor – Each worker specializing in a particular task or job.

Answer questions 1ABC Page 137 Homework Answer questions 1ABC Page 137