1. Tuesday – October 15, 2013 Mr. Lombardi Do Now: If you were moving to a new location, what problems might you be faced with? How would you solve these problems? Aim: Why did the first civilizations develop in the Fertile Crescent?

2. Tomorrow, October 16 PSAT Day Period 212:08 – 12:44 Period 1012:48 – 1:24 Period 111:28 – 2:04

3. H.W. #7 Peoples of the Fertile Crescent handout: – Read all directions. – Complete both sides! – All answers must be in full sentences! – Due: Thursday, October 17

4. The Four Early River Valley Civilizations Why did the first civilizations develop along river valleys? 1.Water 2.Trade & cultural diffusion 3.Fertile soil (farming)

5. Fertile Crescent  ability to reproduce  a curved area

6. Copy the following words into your notebook: 1.Fertile – ability to reproduce. 2.Crescent – a curved area. 3.Irrigation – supplying dry land with water. 4.Surplus – having more than what is needed. ** Fertile Crescent = Mesopotamia Sumer, Babylon, and Ur were three Mesopotamian city-states

8. Summary Why did the first civilizations develop in the Fertile Crescent?

9. Application “Mesopotamian people often worshipped the Tigris and Euphrates as gods.” – Write 3 paragraphs explaining why this occurred. Intro, Body, Conclusion

10. Regents Prep www.RegentsPrep.org

11. Fertile Crescent civilizations A.Location: 1.Began in the Middle East (modern-day Iraq). 2.Two important rivers: Tigris Euphrates B.Positive effects of geographic factors: 1.Provided freshwater for drinking, fishing, and allowed trade to develop. 2.Both rivers overflowed regularly; fertilizing soil for farmers. 3.Surrounding mountains & deserts served as natural barriers.

12. PROBLEMSOLUTION Flooding was unpredictable. Sometimes it came in April, sometimes in June. If the floods didn’t occur, how could the Sumerians water their fields of wheat and barley? Some areas had no natural barriers for protection. No natural resources were available in the area (no wood, stone, or metal) Irrigation ditches were dug to bring water to the fields during periods of no flooding. They used the mud to create blocks to build city walls. The Sumerians traded with the people of the mountains and the desert to get the natural resources that they needed by using the surplus grains that the farmers created.