Albert 1

Kristen Albert
ILS 562
Professor Shteirman
22 October 2014
Mesopotamia Resources
Background: This bibliography was compiled for 6th grade social studies teachers. They will
use these resources for their students during a unit on Mesopotamia, which focuses heavily on
the importance of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The curriculum framework for this unit can
be found here.

Price, Sean Stewart. "The Cradle Of Civilization." Junior Scholastic 113.3 (2010): 20. Middle
Search Plus.

Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=54625418&site=eds-live

This article has a Lexile score of 940, so it is falls within the Lexile range for 6-8. Edit
Central gave it a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 7.6. This means that some students may have
some difficulty and would need guidance.
Level of Meaning: 7, The article uses short anecdotes as examples of Mesopotamian
culture, and makes some references to Mesopotamian literary characters being like modern day
superheroes. Despite this, the text is very concise, informational and academic.
Structure: 8, The article uses headings to differentiate between topics in the article. The
author also makes use of timelines to help students situate the material in a larger frame of
context

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Language Conventionality: 9, There is a lot of historical language in regards to the

content of the article, However, the author highlights these terms and explains their meaning in
a side column. This will help students understand these words in the context of the article.
Background Knowledge: 9, This article doesnt expect readers to have a great deal of
background knowledge regarding Mesopotamia. so it serves as a good introductory article.

Landauro, Victor. "Life in Mesopotamia." Junior Scholastic 106.1 (2003): 12. Primary Search.
Web. 14 Oct 2014.
<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=10630770&site=edslive >

This article has a Lexile score of 810, which falls within the Lexile range for grades 6-8.
This article also has a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 7.1. Some students, especially those who
are already not reading at a 6th grade level, may have some difficulty with this article.
Level of Meaning: 8, The articles text is very straight forward and precise. However, it
has enough academic content to comprehend for students at this grade level.
Structure: 6, The article makes use of headings to break up the content, which is helpful
for students. There also is a timeline at the bottom so students can visually situate the
information presented in the article. While there are a lot of pictures to support the text, their
placement could make the layout a little confusing for some students.
Language Conventionality: 7, While there are a lot of academic words which a reader
may not understand, the text does a good job of providing in text definitions to aid in
comprehension.

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Background Knowledge:8, This articles does not expect readers to have an extensive
background of knowledge. It is a very good introductory article and explains Mesopotamian
culture in detail. However, the article does seem to expect readers to know a little about how
Mesopotamian cultures differs from our modern day culture, or at the very least, understand this
when they finish reading.

Brown, Bryan. "Laying Down The Law." Junior Scholastic 109.2 (2006): 16. Primary
Search. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=22623351&site=
eds-live >

This article has a Lexile score of 710, so it falls right at the beginning of the 6-8 grade
range, making it a good read for 6th graders. The article also has a Flesh-Kincaid grade level of
6.4 which further displays that it should be appropriate for most 6th grade students.
Level of Meaning: 8, This article is very informational and straight forward. However,
there are a lot of technical/ academic words that the students may not know. However, these
words are usually highlighted and defined within the text so students will understand their
meanings after reading.
Structure:7, The article has multiple headings to help break up the different topics. This
allows the article to flow from one aspect of Mesopotamian law to another easily. This allows
students to learn multiple aspects of Hammurabis Code in one article.
Language Conventionality:7, There is some domain-specific language in the article.
These words may be unfamiliar to some students if they have never learned about Mesopotamia

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before. However ,the text highlights these words and explains their meanings. Furthermore,
there is also a vocabulary box that students can refer back to so that they can use these words in
classroom discussions.
Background Knowledge: 6, This article does a good job at explaining Hammurabis
Code and its significance. While its doesnt appear that a students would need any working
knowledge about the laws, they would need a basic understanding of how kings rule and what
modern day laws are like so they can compare Hammurabis code to modern day laws.
However, this is something that can be touched upon in class.

"Hammurabi's Empire." Junior Scholastic 109.2 (2006): 19. Primary Search. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prh&AN=22623352&site=eds-live

This resources has a Lexile score of 610 and a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 5.4. This
makes it aceptable to use with students who may be struggling a bit with reading. However,
because it also focues on the geography of Mesopotamia, a topic that some students may be
unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with, the teacher should ultimately decide if this is an
appropriate resource for a class.
Level of Meaning: 5, Though the reading level for this resource is low, the text relies
heavily on students ability to read a map. This will be challenging for students who have not
mastered this skill.
Structure: 5, While there is no overarching structure to the text, it is very short (only 242
words). However, much of the text requires you to rely on map reading.

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Language Conventionality: 5, The text has some domain-specific language about

reading maps that is not explained. This may make it hard for some students to understand the
text.
Background Knowledge: 4, This text requires you to have a general understanding of
Mesopotamia, as well as familiarity with maps and how to read them to learn information. Some
6th graders may not have this knowledge or those skills.

Baker, Rosalie F. "The Great Flood." Calliope 17.2 (2006): 30. Middle Search Plus. Web. 16
Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=22591583&site=ehost
-live

This resource has a Lexile range of 910 and a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 6.7.
Though this text falls within the 6th grade range, some students may not understand the various
literary elements present.
Level of Meaning: 6, The story is fairly straight forward so most students should be able
to comprehend it well enough. However, there are a number of literary elements present, such as
the symbolism of the flood and birds. Students may need help understanding these concepts.
Structure: 6, While there are some complex levels of meaning, the text is fairly short (
only about 565 words). This seems to make it an ideal text since it deals with some higher
levels of meaning. However, the text is only an excerpt and starts off in the middle of the story.
Students may have difficulty comprehending the story with this structure.

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Language conventionality: 5, While this text is at a 6th grade reading level, much of the
language is rather complex. Words like tempest, catastrophic, and vessel. The meanings
of these words may not be familiar to some students.
Background Knowledge:7, This story does require background knowledge regarding
Mesopotamian culture. However, this knowledge students would acquire throughout the unit.

Hong, Karen E. "Wheeling Into The Future." Calliope 11.3 (2000): 22. Middle Search Plus.
Web. 18 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=3728522&site=ehostlive

This article has a Lexile score of 810 and a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 7.5. This puts
these text at slightly above a 6th grade level. So, like with some others in this list, it may be
more difficult for some students who are already not reading at a 6th grade level.
Level of Meaning: 8, The text of this article is very straight forward and concise. It is
very informational, but doesnt involve too much technical language since it is geared towards
middle school students.
Structure: 6, Coming in at 473 words, this article is very short. The article is not
structured out like the others. However, the length may work towards the students benefit since
it was slightly above their grade level.
Language Conventionality: 6, In this text, there is some vocabulary specifically related
to Mesopotamia. Because this is what the students will be studying, it is appropriate. Unlike
the other articles, there is no vocabulary list to aid students in their reading.

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Background Knowledge: 8, This article does require basic background knowledge about
Mesopotamia. Because these resources are for a unit covering this region, it is expected that
students will gain this knowledge from their textbooks, class work and the other resources.

"5 Little-Known Facts About The Tigris And Euphrates Rivers." Calliope 17.2 (2006): 1. Middle
Search Plus. Web. 18 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=22591567&site=ehost
-live

Ths very short article has a Lexile range of 930 and a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 6.9.
Despite the appropriateness of the text for the grade level, it is very short and would probably not
be appropriate for in-depth class discussions.
Level of Meaning: 5, The text of the article is very straight forward and informational. It
is very easy to understand the facts that the author is conveying. However the article makes no
attempt to situate the information within a larger context, which detracts from the article.
Structure: 4, The text is structured as an outline of facts about the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers. The text is extremely short (162 words) which hinders its effectiveness as a resource for
middle school students. However, it is effective at relaying quick, general facts.
Language Conventionality: 5, There is some domain specific language in regards to the
geography around the two rivers, as well as some linguistic language about derivatives which
may need to be discussed in class. Despite this, the text is not very challenging.

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Background Knowledge: 6, In order for this resource to be understood, students would

need to have background knowledge regarding the rivers location and importance around
Mesopotamia.

Hussein, Angela Murock. "The Fertile Crescent." Calliope 23.2 (2012): 6. Middle Search Plus.
Web. 18 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=82180945&site=ehost
-live

This article has a Lexile range of 1090, placing it at the very end of the 6th-8th grade
range. Edit Central gives it a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 8.4. This will be a fairly advanced
article, even for those reading on level. The teacher should work through this article to try and
make it more accessible, and possibly read it as a group.
Level of Meaning: 6, Despite the high reading level, the text is very informational. One
deep level of meaning in the text is the discussion about the area around the rivers being referred
to as the Cradle of Civilization. The meaning to this name would have to be talked about and
discussed as a group.
Structure: 6, This text has a lot of heading to seperate key ideas in the text. Unlike other
articles, this text does not talk about multiple aspects of Mesopotamian culture but focues in
depth on the rivers.
Language Conventionality: 7, The language in the article is fairly straight forward since
it is geared towards middle school students. However there are a good deal of words relating to
socials studies that students may not be familiar with such as civilization, settlement, and

Albert 9

society. These words would need to be talked about during class so that each students has a
good working understanding of what they mean.
Background Knowledge: 7, While the article does not require a lot of background
knowledge, the text does a good job at giving readers context. However, it would help if readers
were familiar with the geography around the area.

Payne, Elizabeth E. "Life In Early Uruk." Calliope 14.1 (2003): 16. Middle Search Plus. Web.
21 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=10713396&site=ehost
-live

The article has a Lexile score of 950, which puts it in the middle school range. Edit
Central gave the article a grade level of 8.2. Like the article above, this article would be pretty
advanced for some of the students, so this would probably be best read during class as a group.
Level of Meaning: 7, Like many of the other articles, this text is fairly concise and
informational. However, there are some references to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Students would
have to make these connections.
Structure: 6, This article is a lot longer than some of the others, but there is no structure in
terms of headings, subtitles or glossaries. Students would have to recognize the different
subtopics themselves, which may prove challenging for some.
Language Conventionality: 6, Like some of the other articles, there is a lot of vocabulary
regarding social studies and Mesopotamian culture. However, this vocabulary is much more

Albert 10

prominent here than in other resources. Steps would have to be taken to ensure that students
have a strong grasp on this language.
Background Knowledge: 6, This article requires a lot of background knowledge about
Gilgamesh and Mesopotamian culture. Granted, this is what the unit covers so the students
should be familiar with it. However, the teacher should be sure that they have a really good
grasp on this knowledge so that they can fully comprehend this text.

Hafford, William B. "Clever Mesopotamians." Calliope 20.9 (2010): 10. Middle Search Plus.
Web. 21 Oct. 2014.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mih&AN=52194797&site=ehost
-live

Thisarticle has a Lexile score of 990, which brings it in around the middle of the middle
school range. Edit Central gives it a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 7.4. Students who are
already not reading at their grade level may have some difficulty.
Level of Meaning: 8, This article has a lot of academic knowledge regarding units of
measurement in Mesopotamia. It is very informative.
Structure: 7, At 923 words, this text is much longer than some other resources and
probably better suited for the grade range. There is also some heading to differentiate key
elemetns of the text, which will be helpful for students.
Language Conventionality: 6, There is not a lot of domain specific terms. When this is
present, it is about the different units of measurements throughout time which the
students will not be familiar with.

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Background Knowledge: 8, Readers need a basic understanding of Mesopotamian

culture, which they should gain during this unit.