1. Warm Up
Write a journal entry from the point of view of one of the following in Ancient Mesopotamia: Include, who you are, what your job is, what your family life is like, etc. Upper Class Citizen Middle Class Citizen Lower Class Citizen

2. Objective- Students will be able to identify what contributions the Mesopotamian people passed along to other societies.

3. Something to think about….
The Mesopotamians created the first civilization that had a great influence on history. Later civilizations copied and improved many of the ideas and inventions that began in Mesopotamia. As a result, Mesopotamia has been called ‘The Cradle of Civilization.’ It was the beginning of organized history.

4. Can anyone explain what this is?

5. Cuneiform was the first known system of writing
Cuneiform was the first known system of writing. It was a way for Sumerians to keep records of their lives and to share information as well as ideas. What are some things you write on a daily basis that you or others may need to keep track of? (Turn and talk)

6. Scribes
Wealthy boys who learned to read and write Cuneiform became scribes or “official record keepers.” Why is it important that these people were able to keep record? (Turn and talk)

7. Sumerian Contributions
*First People to use the wheel (carts pulled by donkeys) *Vehicles for military use (Chariots) *Sailboat *Wooden plow for farming *Bronze to craft stronger tools, weapons, and jewelry *Used Geometry to measure the size of fields

8. Advancements
Relevance Today

9. Independent Practice
Read “Mathematics and Technology Advancements” on page 83 of the textbook.
How was the wheel created?
Why would the wheel prove to be an important invention?
What advancements did the Mesopotamians make in regards to mathematics?

10. Closure
Why was the invention of a system of writing so influential to future societies? What are some inventions created by the Sumerians that we still used today?

11. Homework
During which time period would you want to live the most and why? Paleolithic Age Ice Age Neolithic Age Ancient Mesopotamia