Standards/Goals Supporting/Repeating Standards

6.H.1 Use historical thinking to understand the
emergence, expansion and decline of
civilizations, societies and regions over time.
6.H.2 Understand the political, economic
and/or social significance of historical events,
issues, individuals and cultural groups.
6.G.1 Understand geographic factors that
influenced the emergence, expansion and
decline of civilizations, societies and regions
over time
6.C.1 Explain how the behaviors and
practices of individuals and groups influenced
societies, civilizations and regions.
Cite specific textual evidence to support
analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Determine the central ideas or information of
a primary or secondary source; provide an
accurate summary of the source distinct from
prior knowledge or opinions.
The other standards for this unit are going to
be repeated in later units throughout the year.

The goals of the Mesopotamia unit are for

students to be able to master these standards
on Mesopotamia content. Students will be
seeing these standards throughout the school
year with other civilizations that we learn
about, but with Mesopotamia being the first
civilization we discuss, it is very important that
they are understanding the basics of these
standards before moving on to Egypt.
Understandings: Essential Questions
Students will understand that… 1. How did geographical features
influence the develop of ancient
 The world’s first societies began along Mesopotamia?
rivers 2. How did agricultural and technological
 Invasions from different empires innovations contribute to growth in
changed Mesopotamia’s culture over cities and agriculture in Mesopotamia?
time.
3. How did religious and cultural
 Agricultural and technological
expressions reflect the values of
innovations positively impacted the
development of Mesopotamia. ancient Mesopotamians?
 Religious and cultural values impacted 4. How did invasions in Mesopotamia
the lives of Mesopotamians. change their culture over time?
5. Were Hammurabi’s Codes just
Students will know that… Students will be able to…
Skills  Explain how rivers and new farming
 Analyze primary and secondary techniques led to the growth of cities.
sources  Explain how technological advances
 Use textual evidence to support an and inventions changed Sumerian
answer lives.
Concepts
 Civilization
 Explain how culture developed in
 Geography Sumer.
 Culture  Explain the invasions of Mesopotamia
 Conflict and how they changed the region’s
 Invasion culture over time.
 Law and order  Analyze primary and secondary
sources to determine if Hammurabi’s
Code was just