Ancient Civilizations
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
SSWH1 A
Unit 1: Ancient Civilizations
(circa 3500 BCE – 539 BCE)
Important: Notebook Checks
You Choose your Difficulty Level
In this class, you decide the difficulty level you’re playing on just like in a video game. If you’re on Easy Mode, you’re staying ahead: taking notes, completing every notebook entry, reviewing your work/notes, and staying organized. But if you’re on Survival Mode, you’re taking no notes, skipping entries, and barely keeping up. The difference maker is your History Notebook. You need it to win.
Notebook Checks Matter
Notebook checks will happen 1–2 times each month. I’ll be looking for key work we do in class, including:
Notes
Primary source analysis (like FISH and the 6 Cs)
Warm-ups
Other assigned notebook activities
On notebook check days, I’ll give you the number of entries expected (like 10), but you should always aim higher.
Stay Ready
You’ll always know what’s expected and when. Use extra time wisely, stay caught up, and keep your notebook ready.
Directions: PRE-WORK goes in your History Notebook! You are responsible for completing these at the start of EVERY new Topic/Unit.
All Notebook Entries MUST be dated and titled for full credit.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR NOTES!
START HERE - How to Unpack Standards (Notebook Entry)
Step 1: Pull up the Georgia World History Standards.
Use this link or search for "Georgia World History Standards" online.
Step 2: Find the standard that matches our current topic (see topic above).
Step 3: In your notebook:
✍️ Copy down the entire standard.
🔵 Circle the verbs (e.g., analyze, explain, compare) — These tell you what actions you’re expected to do.
🟦 Box the nouns (e.g., empire, trade routes, democracy) — These are the key ideas and topics you'll be learning about.
💭 Ask yourself: Why does this matter to me or the world today?
📝 Write 1 complete sentence explaining why this standard is important in history or in your own life.
👉 Remember: Your Notebook Entry is only complete when all steps are finished thoughtfully.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR NOTES! PT 2
VOCABULARY LIST
Step 1. Pick 8 Words
Choose 8 words from the vocabulary list (FOUND UNDER UNIT DRILLS BELOW).
Step 2. Create a Title
Write a clear title like "Vocabulary – [Topic Name]" at the top of the page.
Step 3. Stay Organized
Keep this on its own page/space.
Step 4. For Each Word:
✏️ Research and write the researched definition.
🔁 Then, underneath that, put it in your own words by doing ONE of the following...
Simplify it
Reword it
OR give a relatable synonym
🟫 What are the characteristics of a CIVILIZATION?
🟫 How did geography and the environment of Mesopotamia shape the development of its civilization?
🟫 What does Hammurabi’s Code reveal about the values and social structure of Mesopotamian society?
🟫 In what ways did social hierarchy affect daily life and opportunities in Ancient Mesopotamia?
Mesopotamia Slideshow
An overview of Mesopotamian civilizations. Complete Cornell Notes based on THIS slideshow.
🔒 LOCK-IN🔒
Finish those notes, and click that Gimkit! Your success on test/quizzes relies on your PREPERATION.
🧠 Historical Thinking Skills Drills
Here are some classroom activities and resources related to our current topic. We may or may not complete all of these in class, but they're available for you to explore on your own. Completing these is not required, but they can help reinforce what we're learning and give you a head start if/when we need to submit activities from this folder.
Ancient Civilizations:
Guess the Artifact