1. INTRO TO MESOPOTAMIA

2. IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATIONIRRIGATION

3. READ THE PARAGRAPH AND FILL IN THE BLANKS Last chance to get it right; today we start a new unit on our first civilization. There are 3 different time periods that we have talked about so far. _______________________ is the time before writing – this is when Lucy and the other early ____________________ lived. The Australopithecus evolved into “Handy Man” a hominid that used tools. This was the start of the Paleolithic Age, also called the _______________________. Once the first seed was planted, in ____________________, people realized that the life of a farmer was much safer and easier. That brings us to 3,000 B.C.E. – the rise of the first civilization.

4. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HUNTER- GATHERER You are a hunter-gatherer. You really want to change your life, settle down, and stay in one place. What kind of land will you choose? List three geographic features you’re looking for. 1._____________________________________________ 2._____________________________________________ 3._____________________________________________ 4._____________________________________________

5. LAND BETWEEN 2 ______________

6. LETS GET TO LABELING Euphrates Tigris Red Sea Persian Gulf Mediterranean Sea Mesopotamia

7. BEFORE READING  Disadvantage______________________________________ Advantage ______________________________________ ____________________________________

8. POST-READING Why did nomads choose to settle down to farm in Mesopotamia? _______________________________________________________ What was irrigation used for? ________________________________________________________ What is the name of the two rivers? _________________________________________________________

9. CIVILIZATION

10. GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE

11. MESOPOTAMIA WAS CALLED “THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION.” Civilization= a group of people that share six major characteristics: 1. Political Structure 2. Economy 3. Religion 4. Social Structure 5. Intellectual Achievements 6. Culture

12. PERSIC QUESTIONS PERSIC QuestionsProof that New Jersey is a Civilization Political structure:  How is order created in society?  Who makes the laws?  What kinds of laws are made? Citizens elect a government. Elected legislature makes laws. Economy:  How do people earn their money?  What do people choose to do with their money? Most citizens have jobs. People spend or save their money in a bank.

13. PERSIC QUESTIONS PERSIC QuestionsProof that New Jersey is a Civilization Religion:  What do people believe about god/gods?  What are the sacred (holy) texts people use to define their beliefs? Social structure:  Which people have the most power, money, and respect in society?  Which people have the least power, money, and respect in society? People who are elected to the gov’t or have a lot of money, Celebrities, educated people People who don’t have much money

14. PERSIC QUESTIONS Proof that New Jersey is a Civilization Intellectual Achievements:  What advances in science and mathematics has society made?  What kinds of technology do people use? Internet, cell phones Culture:  How do people express themselves through art, music, and literature?  What types of food and clothing are common in society? Brass bands, paintings, parades, novels.. Etc!