1. Activity: THE ANCIENT WORLD Subject: geography. Subject: geography. Grade Level: 5-8. Grade Level: 5-8. Duration: 2 or 3 class periods. Duration: 2 or 3 class periods.

2. Objectives: Objectives: 1. Identify reasons why people migrate. 2. Describe the geography of the Fertile Crescent. 3. Describe what life was like in the Fertile Crescent during ancient times.

3. Materials: Materials: 1. Paper and pencils. 2. Encyclopedias and libraries resources. 3. Computer with internet access. 4. The Ancient World video/DVD and VCR/DVD player.

4. Procedure: Procedure: 1. Begin the lesson talking about migration… 2. After watching The Ancient World, discuss the geography and environment of the Fertile Crescent… 3. Tell the students they are going to pretend that they live in ancient times and…

5. 4. Each student must write one letter, in which they must describe one of these three items: Initial migration to the Fertile Crescent from North Africa. Initial migration to the Fertile Crescent from North Africa. Life after arriving in the Fertile Crescent. Life after arriving in the Fertile Crescent. Later migration from the Fertile Crescent, across the Bering Strait, to North America. Later migration from the Fertile Crescent, across the Bering Strait, to North America.

6. 5. Tell students that their letters must include the following: Information about the geography they have encountered on their journey. Information about the geography they have encountered on their journey. Two reasons why they chose to migrate to the Fertile Crescent. Two reasons why they chose to migrate to the Fertile Crescent. Two details about what life is like during the migration or while living in the Fertile Crescent. Two details about what life is like during the migration or while living in the Fertile Crescent.

7. 6. Explain that there were several different civilizations in the Fertile Crescent so not all students will have the same information… 7. Allow time for students to read their finished letters aloud…

8. Evaluation Evaluation Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students’ work during this lesson: Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students’ work during this lesson: 3 points: students actively participated in class discussions… 2points: students somewhat participated in class discussions… 1point: students were unable to work without teacher guidance…

9. Vocabulary: Vocabulary: - Artifact - Bering Strait - Civilization - Fertile Crescent - Hunter-Gatherer - Migration

10. This lesson plan adresses the following standards: This lesson plan adresses the following standards: Culture. Culture. People, Places and Environments. People, Places and Environments. Global Connections. Global Connections.