I have 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia and a fun unit study outline if you want to dive deeper into learning about them. Also, look at my page Ancient Civilizations for more ideas.
Studying about Ancient Mesopotamia doesn’t have to be hard.
True, we call it the cradle of civilization.
Why? They created writing, formed governments and built huge cities.
And I’m sharing more than just 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia.
For example, studying about some of the fascinating cities like Ur, Babylon and Sumer and how they lived should be presented in hands-on lessons.
Besides, try cuneiform writing while you learn that it was one of the earliest forms of writing.
Using a wedge-shaped tool that was pressed into clay they recorded important dates.
And the story The Epic of Gilgamesh is a legend still told today and his quest to find the secret to immortality.
BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA FOR KIDS
First, look at these books about Ancient Mesopotamia.
6 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq. In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.
5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.
Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives
Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.
Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.
Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.
Next, look at some hands-on activities to go with the facts learned about Mesopotamia.
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA ACTIVITIES
- How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe
- Ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurat Activity
- Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
- Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Activity
- Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls
- Epic of Gilgamesh for Kids
- Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
Also, look at these interesting facts about Mesopotamia.
10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA
- Mesopotamians were excellent farmers, growing barley, wheat, and dates.
- The wheel was first used in Mesopotamia for making pottery.
- Ziggurats were huge pyramid-like structures built as temples to the gods.
- One of the earliest sets of written laws, called the Code of Hammurabi, came from Mesopotamia.
- Mesopotamia means “the land between two rivers.” It was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
- Instead of one big kingdom, Mesopotamia had many small city-states.
- The Hanging Gardens is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Mesopotamians created a number system based on the number 60.
- Some more cool inventions by the Mesopotamians were the plow and sailboat.
- Rivers were important. For example, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided water for farming and helped with travel and trade.
Finally, look at this Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline.
ABOUT THE ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE
My Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline is a handy tool to help you teach or for child led learning.
There are many advantages to a unit study outline instead of a fully fleshed out study.
For example, look at these ways an outline guides your study.
- Outlines give you a clear structure.
- They help break down big tasks into manageable steps.
- Extensive lessons plans can make some kids lose focus.
- And outline keeps the main topics to be learned on topic.
- In addition, you can go down rabbit trails IF you want to. However, for some kids it can be overwhelming. You have the option to go deep or stay on topic with an outline.
- Looking at the outline at a glance is a super roadmap. Again, you can go straight to your destination or facts or stay longer on an objective.
- By listing an objective it guides you as the teacher to add your own slant.
For example, look at the topics covered in this outline.
- Introduction
- Geography and Environment
- Ancient Mesopotamian Civilizations
- Agriculture and Irrigation
- Writing and Communication
- Religion and Beliefs
- Science and Technology
- Trade and Commerce
- Arts and Crafts
- Exploration and Legacy
- Culminating Activity
HOW TO USE THE OUTLINE
Each topic has two or three topics or objectives for the subject. You decide which ones to use.
And if you stay on 1 topic per week and cover all 9 topics it would equal a 9 week unit study.
Additionally, only use the objectives on the topic your child is interested in and move on to other unit studies. This would make a shorter unit study.
For example, cover the introduction and perhaps the Persian culture for younger children.
Then save the other topics for when your children are older.
You will like this unit study outline if:
- you want the freedom to flesh out topics and not be tied to day to day lesson plans
- you prefer to flesh out day to day lesson plans or do not prefer them at all and
- you want a guide for topics to study so you have a sweeping overview of the unit.
You will not like this unit study outline if:
- you want to day to day lesson plans guiding each day and worksheets and
- you don’t want to teach all your kids together.
HOW TO GET THE MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE
You can download the printable Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline now!
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