This week we will be focusing on understanding the formation of early civilizations in Mesopotamia.

Standards:

• 6.H.1.2 Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.

• 6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions.

• 6.H.2.3 Explain how innovations and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies, and regions over time.

• 6.G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of culture).

• 6.G.1.3 Compare distinguishing characteristics of various world regions (e.g. physical features, culture, political organization and ethnic make-up).

• 6.G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions.

• 6.C&G.1.4 Compare the role and evolution of laws and legal systems in various civilizations, societies and regions.

By the end of this week, you will be able to answer the following questions:

1. Why did humans migrate and settle into the Fertile Crescent/River Valley region?

2. How did religion and gender influence Mesopotamian society?

3. Why was Mesopotamia a land worth conquering?

4. Why was the development of writing important to civilization?

5. How do the Laws of Hammurabi compare to the laws today?