Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesopotamia

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders describe the geography of Mesopotamia, explain the characteristics of Sumerian city-states, and identify the cultural practices of the ancient Sumerians. They then explain how empires formed in Mesopotamia.
PPT
Curated OER

Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Discover what life was like under each of the four main empires that ruled ancient Mesopotamia. Kids can read along or take notes on the Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Neo-Babylonian empires. Notes include dates, key rulers,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Help Wanted! Jobs in Ancient America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the various occupations in Mesopotamia. In groups, they discuss the reasons for occupations changing over time. They use the internet to research the ancient jobs of their choice and write a paper discussing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover details about Mesopotamia. In this ancient civilizations lesson, 6th graders view a PowerPoint presentation about Mesopotamia and then play a review game based on the details. Several support materials are included...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Tablets, Ancient Graves: Accessing Women's Lives in Mesopotamia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the role of women in ancient Mesopotamia. Several excerpts from the Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets and artifacts are analyzed to determine the treatment, rights, and powers of women in this era.
Worksheet
1
1
Curated OER

Civilization in Ancient Mesopotamia

For Students 6th - 8th
In this ancient Mesopotamia worksheet, students respond to 29 short answer and fill in the blank questions about the ancient civilization.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visit a Mesopotamian House

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the various types of architecture used in Mesopotamia. In groups, they identify how climate, resources and cultures affect where and how people live. Using a worksheet, they compare and contrast their house to the one...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Help Wanted! Jobs in Ancient Mesopotamia

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore life in early Mesopotamia through a list of jobs that people taken from an ancient clay tablet found in Mesopotamia. The list is compare to jobs still performed in today's society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living The Life of a Scribe

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars write a descriptive letter about life in ancient Mesopotamia. Through video streaming, students discover the history of Mesopotamia. They assume the role of a scribe and compose a three paragraph essay using main ideas and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ancient Civilizations

For Students 3rd
In this social studies worksheet, 3rd graders find the words that are related to different civilizations and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Warfare and Empire

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students discuss how changing the environment can cause conflict between two groups. In groups, they brainstorm other ways to deal with this issue without using warfare. They use the internet to research the differences in today's army...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Hammurabi's Code: What Does It Tell Us About Old Babylonia?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Hammurabi's Code. They take on the role of his council of advisors and report their "advice" to the king. They write an essay discussing an aspect of daily life that the Code exemplifies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Code of Hammurabi

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the guiding questions to accomplish the lesson objectives. They will know the purposes for the establishing of The Codes and how they were distributed throughout the ancient empire of Babylonia.
Handout
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Ancient Western Asia Mesopotamia

For Students 9th - 10th
This history site offers a wonderful lecture on Mesopotamian civilizations and culture. Includes links within the lecture to in-depth explanations of important ideas and people such as Cuneiform and Hannibal.
Lesson Plan
University of Chicago

Ancient Mesopotamia: Warfare and Empire [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson students discuss how the changing natural environment can become a source of conflict between some groups within a society. Discuss with students how using the rivers for irrigation caused conflict between the Sumerian...
Handout
Other

Norwegian University of Science and Technology: Lost Forever

For Students 9th - 10th
A slideshow accompanied by a description of archaeological discoveries from the ancient Assyrian cities of Nineveh and Nimrud in Iraq, both of which were severely damaged by the Islamic State in March 2015. The slideshow includes images...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Ur

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia article from provides a detailed overview of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur. Content includes a focus on the history of this city and its archaeology. Links are also provided for additional information.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Uruk

For Students 9th - 10th
Nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the world's first major city sprang up in a fertile region of land called Mesopotamia. This article discusses the kings, writing, monumental temples and palaces, specialized occupations,...