ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

This learning activity is an engaging group activity using the website WordArt.  The activity is best used after a lesson taught on the characteristics of a civilization.  In the activity, the students will be assigned a civilization and create a word cloud using words that describe specific features from each of the 7 characteristics of that civilization.  Then students will compare significant features of all four civilizations by comparing the common characteristics from their group's word clouds using a graphic organizer.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

This video from the Daily Dose provides a 3-minute micro-learning film on Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent. This video will describe the geography, history, and characteristics of the Mesopotamian civilization. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 1 :

1 ) Explain how artifacts and other archaeological findings provide evidence of the nature and movement of prehistoric groups of people.

Examples: cave paintings, Ice Man, Lucy, fossils, pottery

•  Identifying the founding of Rome as the basis of the calendar established by Julius Caesar and used in early Western civilization for over a thousand years

•  Identifying the birth of Christ as the basis of the Gregorian calendar used in the United States since its beginning and in most countries of the world today, signified by B.C. and A.D.

•  Using vocabulary terms other than B.C. and A.D. to describe time

Examples: B.C.E., C.E.

•  Identifying terms used to describe characteristics of early societies and family structures

Examples: monogamous, polygamous, nomadic

[SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

This complete unit plan provides lessons on Ancient Nubia from the Pre-Kerma to the three Kingdoms of Kush eras. The lessons include information about the geography, economics, civics, and government of this time period and civilization. There are videos and additional student resources included, as well as answer keys for the educator. The unit plans include images of artifacts that students will analyze to better understand this time period and the Nubian civilizations. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

John Green covers the long, long history of ancient Egypt, including the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, and even a couple of intermediate periods. Learn about mummies, pharaohs, pyramids, and the Nile with John.

**Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

This video from Khan Academy can be used to introduce Ancient Egyptian civilization and the Nile River Valley.  This video is 14 minutes and 15 seconds in length.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 2 :

2 ) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings.

•  Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River Valleys

Examples: natural environment, urban development, social hierarchy, written language, ethical and religious belief systems, government and military institutions, economic systems

•  Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations

Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley

In this free video from Khan Academy, students will learn about Ancient Mesopotamia.  This video can be used to introduce a lesson about early civilizations.  The video is 9 minutes and 23 seconds in length.