7th Grade Social Studies
Mr. Taliaferro
ttaliaferro@medfield.mec.edu
Map Quiz #7: Geography of Ancient Egypt
Nile Delta
Nile River
Mediterranean Sea
Red Sea
Upper Egypt
Lower Egypt
Dead Sea
Eastern Desert
Western Desert
Sinai Desert
Gulf of Aqaba
Gulf of Suez
Kush
Palestine
Arabian Desert
(updated, 11/2)
Homework, 10/27 - Five Comparisons only
" I am not sure that we can easily define civilization, but we can list some of its main characteristics: 1) the creation of large, permanent, and complex urban and administrative centers; 2) the invention of basic political (a political system based on territory instead of kinship), social, and economic institutions (which then attempt to solve man's basic needs: food, shelter, and security); 3) a method of taxation; 4) the division and specialization of labor; 5) external trade; 6) a hierarchical system of classes (specialization); 7) the development of the arts and sciences; 8) the creation of a complex religious life; and 9) the invention of a written language for communication, record keeping, and the transmission of culture. Civilization, as invented by man and described here, probably first appeared among the ancient Sumerians and shortly thereafter among the Egyptians. Slowly more and more cities appeared, and they came into conflict, competing for water, land, and trade. War and empire-building followed. "
Class Review from 10/28
Today we :
1. Chose partners for our upcoming Indus River Strategy Game assignment.
2. Discussed where everything was on the map quiz list.
3. Related the "orthogonal" nature of the Indus River Valley civilization to the board game Cathedral, which we will be using for our project.
4. Introduced the review game "Bluff", and briefly covered some basic material from the reading on the Indus River Valley.
Class Review from 10/29
1. Reviewed map quiz list: beware the difference between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
2. Viewed some visuals relating archaeology to the Indus River Valley.
3. Discussed some ideas for buildings for the game project, including
-granary
-Great Bath
-city gate
-sanitation canals
-harbors
4. Discussed some of the finer points of the project, including:
a. extra credit opportunities
b. making sure to have a topic sentence in each of your paragraphs
c. making sure to write both a description and why you chose each piece in your appendix
d. be sure to check out harappa.com and the CCA #6 for other ideas
Class Review from 10/30
Map Quiz taken
Homework:
-work on project
-read reference material for project (link)
-take a look at the outline below to help you on Monday's HW quiz
A Survey of Urban History and Intro to Urban Planning
A. Introduction - The numbers of humans living in cities have steadily increased
B. Cities Begin with the First Civilizations: 5,500 years ago
C. The Neolithic Revolution (8000 BCE) started the growth of cities. Things that were necessary for the growth of the first cities?
- a favorable environment
-technological innovation
-development of complex social arrangements
- population growth
D. Urban Revolution: 3500 BCE, a result of humans learning to solve the basic problems of sustaining permanently settled human existence with food surplus.
E. Characteristics of "Civilization":
- creation of large urban centers
- invention of basic political, social, and economic units
- taxation
- specialization of labor
- external trade
- class system
- arts & sciences
- complex religion
- written language
F. Differences Between Neolithic villages and complex urban centers (cities):
- size
- complex buildings
- larger, diverse population
- smaller percentage of people in agriculture than before
- increase of middle class
G. Description of a Typical Ancient City
- Location: usually on a waterway, walled, houses crowded together, important buildings in the center
- Population: usually less than 10,000 people, increasingly diverse
- Social Pyramid
- Complex Economies
- Religion: polytheistic
- Government: priests first, then kings and military commanders, divine right, harsh laws, heavy taxes
H. "Form" of cities usually depends on the relationship between mass (buildings) and space (open areas such as streets)
I. Categories of "Urban-Built Form":
1. Paths: how people move, such as streets and canals
2. Edges: barriers, such as waterfronts, rivers, walls, hills
3. Districts: distinct areas, such as "residential" or "town center"
4. Nodes: where paths meet, such as town squares, or marketplaces
5. Landmarks: buildings or features that are highly symbolic or visually stimulating
J. Definition of Urban Planning: deliberately applying ideas and regulations to the formation and expansion of urban settlements
K. Most important parts of Urban Planning:
1. Access to water
2. Distinction between public and private land
3. Encouraging trade
4. Protection and defense
5. Civic pride: erecting and maintaining structures for beauty and function
6. Layout of cities: either natural (no planning), grid (planned), or some combination
Class Review from 11/2
Today, we discussed ways to use Wikipedia to further your examination of the structures of the Indus River Valley. Start with entering "Lothal", and taking a look at the overhead black and white map. Several ideas from this map can be used, and this is a good place to start your research. Remember, Wikipedia can be a valuable tool if used correctly:
1. Utilize the larger articles that have a table of contents to give you an idea about what you are studying.
2. Wikipedia can usually be counted on for an easy-to-comprehend layout with links to other articles and good graphics/pictures.
3. THE MOST IMPORTANT part of Wikipedia is the listing of sources at the bottom, which allows YOU the researcher to use more credible sources for your projects and papers.
We also took a "HW Quiz", which counted as a homework grade, not a regular quiz grade.
For those of you who are absent, there will be no HW, no map quiz, and no CCA this week....only the project.
Class Review from 11/3
Today we discussed the concept of the "thesis" and how it applies to research papers. Additionally, we went over the grading rubric for the project. Please bring research materials to class to work on your project on Wednesday and Thursday.
THESIS: a statement of purpose to be supported by research.
"verbatim" thesis statement for project: "The Indus River Valley Civilization was the earliest example of urban planning in the ancient world."
If you choose to use the above thesis statement, it will earn you 8 out of 10 points in that category for the paper.
Please be sure to remember the following for the research project:
1. All projects are due Friday, unless you have been sick or made other arrangements.
2. Please use more distinctive names, wherever possible, for your game pieces. Check out mohenjodaro.net for some additional ideas.
3. Don't forget to write down all sources used for your project, and bring them in on Monday.
4. All students must write their own three paragraphs, but may combine efforts on the pieces and appendix.
Class Review from 11/4 - 11/5
Working on project in class, bring materials. If you are all done with your project, I recommend working on your sources, and identifying locations for map quiz on Friday, November 13th (Ancient Egypt)
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