Unit 3 - Lesson 7: Interaction in Era 2 Conflict and Cooperation

Big Ideas of the Lesson

Era 2 was characterized by the rise and fall of kingdoms with strong monarchs, powerful
militaries, rigid social hierarchies, and growing cities.
Era 2 was also characterized by steady growth in population.
Finally, Era 2 was also a time of increasing interaction at different levels. This interaction
occurred as both cooperation and conflict within farming societies, across farming societies,
and also between farming societies and pastoral nomads.

Across farming societies, and between farming societies and nomads, conflict tended to
involve war, conquest, and competition for land and resources, whereas cooperation focused
on trade.
Lesson Abstract:
In this lesson students explore important trends and patterns of development during Era 2.
Through discussion activities around information presented in a PowerPoint presentation, students
begin the lesson by considering the rise and fall of kingdoms in this period and analyze the
common features of these kingdoms. Students then connect the previous lesson on technology
and cultural diffusion to the steady growth of the human population in this era. Finally, students
engage in an inquiry activity around learning stations to explore the different types of interactions
both conflict and cooperation that took place within farming societies, across farming societies,
and between farming societies and pastoral nomads. The lesson ends with a group analysis of
patterns across the stations and an exit slip asking students to make larger generalizations about
conflict and cooperation in Era 2.
Key Concepts:
conflict and cooperation
cultural diffusion
evidence
power and authority
social hierarchy
specialization
technology
Content Expectations: 7th Grade H1.2.1; H1.2.2; H1.2.3; H1.4.1; H1.4.2; H1.4.3; G4.4.1
7th Grade W2.1.4; W2.1.5;
Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies: RH.6-8.1, 2, 4, 7, and
9; WHST.6-8.4 and 9.