Researching real people and events helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who lived in ancient times. It helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period.
Teachers can assign students a specific person or they may give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person.
Giving students a graphic organizer to fill in as they read is helpful to pick out the most important facts and details. After students conduct their research and fill out a note-taking sheet or graphic organizer, students can create a biography poster using a template from Storyboard That with images and text that highlight the key events and accomplishments of their person.
These posters can be printed out, laminated, and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of ancient Mesopotamia. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person, thus combining research, writing and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
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Due Date:
Objective: Research a person from ancient Mesopotamia. Create a poster that includes important details and engaging imagery.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, major accomplishments
Begin by introducing the students to the history of Ancient Mesopotamia. Explain to the students how it is considered the first civilization of the world and is responsible for many contributions towards modern advancements. Teachers can explain different aspects of this ancient civilization using the G.R.A.P.E.S chart which covers a wide range of factors.
After students are more familiar with the Ancient Mesopotamian civilization, ask them to select one particular event that had a significant impact on the civilization and perform research on that particular event. Teachers can also give the students a list of events from which they can choose one. There are many events that students can work on, for instance, the construction of Ziggurats, or specific wars and battles.
Talk about the distinctions between key and secondary sources. Encourage the students to investigate primary materials, such as historical inscriptions, objects, or ancient manuscripts, wherever they can. Analyses and interpretations are provided by secondary sources, such as academic publications and articles. Teachers can also recommend some reading material that can help students gather more information.
Help students arrange the information from their study into a logical framework. When students use a framework, they will be able to organize the information in a better manner which brings better output for the readers. Students can use outlines and mindmaps for this purpose.
Once the students are done with their research and have organized the information in a comprehensive manner, ask them to share their findings and insights with the rest of the class. This will help students learn more about other events and gain more knowledge about ancient Mesopotamian civilization as well as various research methods and analyses.
Students can select a significant historical person (like Hammurabi or Gilgamesh) or an occasion (such as building a ziggurat or a big war). The intention is to supply comprehensive and engaging information by concentrating on a certain facet.
Reputable sources, such as scholarly books, papers, and internet databases, should be used. Historical encyclopedias, educational websites, and museum websites are other trustworthy sources. Teachers can either give students permission to use all resources or give certain material and ask the students to extract and use information from that reading only.
Provide important information such as dates of birth and death (for biographies), notable accomplishments, historical background, cultural importance, and any enduring effects or legacies. Students can also use symbols and visuals to depict these details.