Unit 2 Lesson 4 Day 2 Mesopotamia Agenda

Unit 2 Lesson #4 Day 2 Mesopotamia

Agenda • Aim: How did achievements in writing, literature, math and technology help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? • Do Now: Picture analysis • Mini-lesson: Analyzing Pictures, Vocabulary, Turn & Talk • Work Period: Use close reading strategies to analyze an article on Mesopotamian achievements. Complete “Life in Mesopotamia: Think-Tac-Toe • Closing: Exit Slip Question

Lesson #4 Mesopotamia Day 1 • Aim: How did achievements in writing, math, literature and technology help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? • Do Now: Picture analysis - What can you infer about life in ancient Mesopotamia based on the picture?

Picture Analysis Do Now: What do you see in this picture? What can you infer about life in ancient Mesopotamia based on the picture?

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words • characteristic - a feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify it. • decorative - serving to make something look more attractive; ornamental. • technological relating to or using technology.

Achievements in Writing A) By 3200 BCE Sumerians invented cuneiform, a true writing system. They marked clay tablets with a stylus (sharp pointed tool).

Achievements in Math C) The Sumerians developed the earliest known number system. They divided space and time by units of 6. D) Like the Egyptians, Sumerians studied astronomy, and created a 12 month calendar. *We still use Sumerian math! -60 degrees in a circle -60 seconds in a minute -60 minutes in an hour Below is a Sumerian star chart The Sumerians also gave us the 12 signs of the Zodiac! Unlike astronomy, astrology is not science. Rather, astrology is the belief that the positions of the stars affect our lives.

Achievements in Literature E) The Epic of Gilgamesh may be the oldest written story on earth! ü Written in cuneiform ü About a Sumerian King ü It contains a story of a great flood, eerily similar to the story of Noah and the Ark! F) Irrigation canals, dykes & dams

Turn & Talk § Technology has more of a negative affect on society than positive. § Do you agree or disagree with this statement? § Reflect * Write your answer * Share with your partner.

Work Period Activity • Use close reading strategies to analyze an article on Mesopotamian achievements. Complete “Life in Mesopotamia: Think-Tac-Toe”

Closing • Exit Question: How did achievements in writing, literature math and technology help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? • Homework: #4 on the Unit 2 Outline