WARM UP YOUR BRAIN! A few days ago Mr. DiSibio introduced the four Ancient River Valley Civilizations… Without looking at your notes, NAME ALL FOUR? Do you remember what continent(s) these civilizations were on? Take an educated guess using your notes.

How Do Rivers Help Civilization? Ancient River Valley Civilizations: Day Two

RIVERS allowed people to settle in one area. FLOODING made the soil perfect for planting crops. Since there was plenty of food, people could set up permanent TOWNS. The rivers PROTECTED them and provided WATER and food (fish, fruit trees on the banks, animals coming for a drink)

They dug CANALS from the main river for irrigation, provide water for the town, and control where the flood waters flowed

What did they look like? Mesopotamia This is an artist’s idea of what the city of Babylon may have looked like

 Provided water and life to the people of Ancient Egypt.  shows/videos/discovery-atlas-egypt-the-nile-then-and- now.htm shows/videos/discovery-atlas-egypt-the-nile-then-and- now.htm The Nile River

The river was part of daily life… Egypt Do you see how the civilizations were built close to the water?

In order to know when the flood waters were coming, some civilizations invented CALENDARS

 First, read “Farming in Mesopotamia” article  You and your partner are going to begin your own farm: close your eyes and imagine it…  On a sheet of paper, map out a business plan of what you will need to be successful.  You also need to create a map of your farm.  I will hand out the directions now…  If you finish, you will complete the “Ancient River Valley Civilizations” handout using your notes Create your own farm…

 The copier cut off two questions on the “Create Your Own Farm” activity.  Write these in at the bottom of your handout and answer them when completing the activity with a partner:  When can you plant your seeds and when should you harvest the crops?  How will you distribute (sell, transport) your crops? Missing questions…