Ancient History, Week 5

Sumerian Crafts & Kings

We finished up our survey of the first civilization of Sumer by learning more about Sumerian daily life, their crafts, trade, and King Sargon of Akkad.


Wednesday

• Looked up and defined HO dictionary word for Lesson 3, Main Lesson Part 2.
• Read Usborne: Ancient World by Fiona Chandler (pages 8-9).
• Completed corresponding Blue House School ancient world worksheets.
• Listened to Tales from the Arabian Nights audiobook (story of Sheherezade) by Andrew Lang/Tavia Gilbert.

The stories of Arabian Nights don't feel as though they fit perfectly here, but some apparently root back to ancient Mesopotamian folklore and literature. The SOTW activity guide makes brief mention of one selection written by Andrew Lang. I flipped through the rest of the guide and found no additional references to Arabian Nights in chapters from other time periods (nor in HO), so we went ahead and listened to three of the most popular tales during lunch this past week. Although Tales from the Arabian Nights is a sanitized version of Arabian Nights, it still contains considerable violence. Then again, what part of ancient history isn't considerably violent?

Thursday

• Completed "Ancient Mesopotamia" history pocket (puppets, and interactive map with model ship).
• Read You Wouldn't Want to Be a Sumerian Slave! by Jacqueline Morley.
• Watched Ancient Civilizations for Children: Ancient Mesopotamia DVD by Schlessinger Media.
• Listened to Tales from the Arabian Nights audiobook (story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp) by Andrew Lang/Tavia Gilbert.

Tessa created Mesopotamian puppets on craft sticks. She also completed an interactive map with model trading ship. By moving the craft stick attached to the back of the ship, she can sail it down the Tigris River to the Persian Gulf.

Friday

• Read Evan-Moor Read and Understand Literature Genres: Myths & Legends, Grades 4-6 "Gilgamesh and Enkidu - Middle Eastern Legend" story sheet from TeacherFileBox.com.
• Completed "Long Robe" from Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide by Marian Broida.
• Listened to Tales from the Arabian Nights audiobook (story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves) by Andrew Lang/Tavia Gilbert.

I kind of messed up here. I couldn't figure out why the Gilgamesh myth wasn't mentioned in HO or the SOTW activity guide since it derives from ancient Sumerian poems. Turns out it is...further down the road. That's okay, there are some really cool looking children's books about Gilgamesh that I didn't get a chance to check out from the library. We'll be sure to snatch them next time.

Tessa in our version of a Mesopotamian long robe.

* HO = History Odyssey, SOTW = The Story of the World

Looking for more Sumerian lesson ideas?

Check out my Label a Sumerian Chariot Diagram and Standard of Ur Writing Paper & Toppers digital curriculum helpers!