Mesopotamia- Day 5 1. SWBAT understand and explain how geography (such as the Tigris-Euphrates River) shaped the development of Mesopotamian civilization. 2. SWBAT locate and label a map of Mesopotamia. Do Now Put an X on a location on the map that would be bad for people to settle in. Why would this location be difficult to live in? (Think about water, food, trade, comfort, and safety.) Now put a J on a location on the map that would be good for people to settle in. What is positive about it? 1
INTRODUCTION TO NEW MATERIAL I. MESOPOTAMIA- (mesos = middle, potamos= river) a. Greek word that means between the rivers. b. The area located between the and rivers. c. Fertile- d. Known as the Fertile Crescent - an area where people could grow food easily. e. Located in the modern-day country and on the continent of. 2
WRITE -PAIR- SHARE: MAP of Ancient Mesopotamia What geographic features would make Mesopotamia a great place to start a civilization? Why? 3
GUIDED PRACTICE STOP and JOT: 1) Where are most of the cities of Mesopotamia located? 2) Why do you think most cities chose this location? 4
VIDEO CLIP ANALYSIS: Mesopotamian Geography A Podcast of: History of the Fertile Crescent 1. What is the The Fertile Crescent? 2. Two advantages of living in between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are 5
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE PART 1: Directions: Please write an X on the area of the map that is Mesopotamia. PART 2: Directions: Please complete the following map. A. Circle Tigris and Euphrates Rivers B. Label Zagros Mountains C. Label Taurus Mountains D. Label Syrian Desert E. Label Persian Gulf 6
PART 3: Reading Directions: Underline everything that would be a geographic advantage for societies in Mesopotamia.. Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is a Greek word meaning 'between the rivers'. The rivers are the Tigris and Euphrates which flow through modern Iraq. The Euphrates also flows through much of Syria. Mesopotamia is made up of different regions, each with its own geography. The geography of each area and the natural resources found there affected the ways that people lived. Northern Mesopotamia is made up of hills and plains. The land is quite fertile due to seasonal rains, and the rivers and streams flowing from the mountains. Early settlers farmed the land and used timber, metals and stone from the mountains nearby. Southern Mesopotamia is made up of marshy areas and wide, flat, barren plains. Cities developed along the rivers which flow through the region. Early settlers had to irrigate the land along the banks of the rivers in order for their crops to grow. Since they did not have many natural resources, contact with neighboring lands was important. Post-Reading Directions: 1. What does Mesopotamia mean? 2. Which two rivers are in Mesopotamia? 3. Why was contact with neighboring societies important for Mesopotamia? 7
EXIT TICKET 1. What does fertile mean? a. Mesopotamia b. Good to grow crops in c. The land between two rivers d. Half moon 2. What does Mesopotamia mean? 3. What country is Mesopotamia in today? a. b. c. d. Egypt United States Iraq Syria 4. the 2 Rivers that flow in Mesopotamia: 8
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