IPG

Name: Darlene

Holt
Subject: World History

10th 2016
Grade Level: High School, most 10th Grade
Date(s): June

Opening Hook/Warm Up:

As students enter, they will pick up their warm-up

supplies from the student station, take them to their
desks and use the cuneiform alphabet and clay to
create their own cuneiform tablet with their name on
it. This will prepare them for the lesson, engage the
kinesthetic learning style, while also providing them
with a cool tangible they can keep.

TEK: WHS.1 The Student understands traditional

historical points of reference in world history (from

TEKS app). Or 113.42.C.2.B The student understands
how early civilization developed from 8000BC to
500BC. The Student is expected to identify the
characteristics of civilization (from TEA TEKS website).
Other TEKS are used to but not focused on.
Objective: Student Friendly: Understand the

importance of writing for civilization and be able to

describe its development.
Big Understanding: Writing is an essential characteristic of civilization, and its development marked the end of
prehistory/beginning of history. Much of how we understand the past also comes from written sources. Learning
about the development of written language will increase student appreciation of this important skill along with the
major role it plays in developing/shaping civilizations.
Formative Assessment Evidence: The finished cuneiform tablets, Their group work, The completed handout,
answers to the CFU questions, and possible questions about their homework video.
Summative Assessment Evidence: Section Quiz or UnitTest
Higher Level Questions to Incorporate: Higher Level Questions to Incorporate: If you could develop your
own writing system would it be alphabetic, syllabic, pictorial, or a combination form and why? What are the
strengths and weakness of each type of system.
Instructional Strategies / Student Activities/ Grouping Patterns:
Teacher Input/Modeling: IDO:

1. Assign the homework video the day before the lesson. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7nM3YOwu00)
2. Prepare an example cuneiform tablet and show it to students
3. Present and explain the power point
4. Assist students who need help.
Guided Practice: WE DO:

1. Explain the model of finished cuneiform tablet

2. Discuss the history of writing
CFU (Checking for understanding):

1. Describe the reasons the Ancient Sumerians developed Cuneiform?

2. Francis Bacon said, Knowledge is Power, which Mesopotamian social class best demonstrated
this slogan and why?
3. Why is writing important today?
Independent Practice: YOU DO (Individual students):

1. Watch History of Writing video

2. Create their own cuneiform tablet
3. Take notes from the power-point
4. Fill out The Development of Writing worksheet with their group
5. Answer the CFU Questions
6. Ask for assistance or clarification if they need it
Ending, Summary / Reflection: This would be my first lesson starting the Mesopotamian Unit. The Youtube
video Young explorers: a brief history of writing by the British Museum and warm up would get the students
excited for this lesson, which would build interest for the next Unit of Study.
Materials / Resources: Modeling Clay, Wood Stylus, Cuneiform charts, Worksheets, Power point
Grouping Patterns: Each group will be a single row of students
Technology: Power point and Youtube

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