Leon Goldstein High School
Mr. Scott Hughes, Principal
Ms Adrion. Global Studies
Email MsCadrion@nyc.schools.gov
Humanities Department
Mr. Michael Weinstein
9th Grade Homework Assignments
Global History and Geography I Ancient Times to the Middle Ages
Refer to the following textbook World History the Human Experience
See LMGHS Website for HW, all assignments, primary sources and handouts given in class.
Primary Sources assigned are uploaded to our LMGHS Website
Lesson 1. Can we benefit from studying the past? Read pages 16-25
Define: Archeologist, Artifact, Historian, Prehistory, Culture, Technology, Nomad
1) Write a short essay: Introduction 2-4 paragraphs, conclusion:
Of : Why is the Neolithic Revolution a turning point in human history?
2) Make a list of artifacts you might find in the daily garbage on your street (minimum five artifacts) Explain
what an archeologist living in the 25th century would learn about our culture based on the artifacts from the 21st
century.
3) Primary Source reading “The Significance of Tools and Fire for Prehistoric Man”.
1) How did the use of tools and fire aid prehistoric man?
Lesson 2 Can ancient civilizations provide us with a guide for modern living? Read pages 26-33
Define Cultural Diffusion, Civilization, Economy, Myth
Write a short essay: Introduction 2-4 paragraphs, conclusion: Of: Imagine you are the ruler of a city in an early
civilization. How would you improve the living conditions for the people living in your city? Give examples of
what you would do and why it is important.
2) Primary Source reading “Why Men Differ”? How does each of the following help to account for differences
among men? A) Mutation B) Isolation C) Migration D) Natural Selection
Lesson 3 Has Africa’s geography been a help or hindrance to its people?
Read pages 330-335
Define Plateau, Savanna, Matrilineal, Desertification, Slash and Burn Agriculture.
1) How has Africa’s geography been a barrier to movement?
2) Which type of climate zone would you prefer to live? Explain why
30 Find an article about the geographical features of any country in Africa today and describe the pros and cons
of living within that area. Attach the article to your paper: suggestions PBS, National Geographic, Nova, NY
Times, World Atlas
Lesson 4 To what extent was the Egyptian civilization a “Great” civilization?
Read pages 34-43
Define: Monarchy, Dynasty, Theocracy, Bureaucracy, Pharaoh, Empire, Polytheism. Hieroglyphics
1) Write an editorial: Does ancient Egypt deserve to be known as a “great civilization”? Give at least 3
arguments for or against to support your opinion.
2) `Primary Source reading “ The Agony of Slaves in Ancient Egypt” What classes of people were enslaved in
Egypt? How were slaves treated? Why
3) Primary Source reading “Ancient Egyptians Embalmers Prepare Body” Why did Egyptians embalm the
dead?
Lesson 5 How did the Mesopotamians influence future generations? Read pages 44-50
Define: City-State, Cuneiform, Sumerians, Gilgamesh, Ziggurat
Identify Hammurabi,
1) Make a Venn Diagram of US Law/ Hammurabi’s Code At least 5 examples for each side , and 3 examples of
similarities of both
2) Which laws do you think served justice better in Hammurabi’s Code? Explain and give an example
3) Primary Source Reading “Code of Hammurabi” A) What conclusions about life in ancient Babylon can you
draw from the laws listed? B) Why is it important to have laws in writing?
Lesson6 How did geography affect India? Read pages 51-53
Define: Monsoon
1) Write a journal entry ( At least ¾ - 1 page double spaced) : Imagine you are living in India during the rainy
monsoon season. Describe a one day experience. Use adjectives, describe, explain, and give examples!
2) Bring in a newspaper, magazine, book, or internet article of a geographical tragedy that has occurred within
the past 5 years. Write a short essay ( minimum½ page double spaced) : How are people affected by a natural
disaster? (Suggestions Hurricane Katrina, Earthquakes in Haiti, China, Tsunami in Sri Lanka, Drought in
Darfur, Super storm Sandy)
Lesson 7 How did geographical features affect China? Read pages 54-57
Define Mandate of Heaven, Ethnocentrism, Oracle Bones
1) Imagine you are a peasant in China, write an editorial of how you would like your emperor to rule. 2-3
paragraphs
2) Make a chart like the one below and Fill in the chart below using the information you have learned.
Location/Country
Political
System
Achievements
Contributions
Religious
Beliefs
Time
Period
Egypt
Tigris
Euphrates
Indus
Huang He
3) Writing Component Write a thematic Essay: Introduction 3- 4 paragraphs and a conclusion How does
geography influence civilizations? Use an example from one of the civilizations you have read about.
Lesson 8 How did early empires of the Middle East encourage cultural diffusion?
Read pages 66-79
Define alphabet, colony, barter, covenant, exodus, monotheism, prophet.
Make and Chart and : Fill in the following chart
Culture
Language
Belief
Region/
Achievements Which
System/
Country
achievement
Religion
do you think
is most
important?
Explain
Phoenicians
Lydians
Hebrews
Persia
1) How did the Kingdoms of the Middle East encourage cultural diffusion? Give three examples and explain
how cultural diffusion was achieved? Which example do you think is most significant and why?
2) How were the beliefs of the ancient Hebrews different from those being practiced during this period?
3) Hand out given in class
Lesson 9 How did geography affect the growth of the Greek City-States? Read pages 90-100
(Government lesson)
Define Polis, Citizens, Aristocrats, Tyrants, Oligarchy, Democracy, Rhetoric
Athens, Sparta, Troy
1) Worksheet (s) given out in class
2) Choose a Greek God or Goddess that you would like to be. Make a newspaper heading of your personality
and write a brief article of what you would do as this God or Goddess?
Lesson 10 How did Athens and Sparta rule their city states? Read pages 101-105
Identify: Draco, Solon, Cleisthenes
Make a chart as the one below and Fill in the chart
City-State
Government Education
Position of
Belief
Military
Women
System
Athens
Sparta
1) Which city-state would you prefer to live in ? Explain why and give examples.
Lesson 11 How did the Persian Wars affect Athens? Read pages 106-113
Identify: Pericles, Darius, Xeres, Themistocles
1) Imagine you are a Persian solider fighting Greece in Asia Minor. Write a one day journal entry of your
experience on the battlefield.
2) Worksheet
3) Primary Source Reading “Funeral Oration of Pericles” a) What fundamental qualities of a democratic way
of life were characteristic of Athens in the days of Pericles?
Lesson 12 How are we influenced by Greek Civilization? Read pages 114-124
Define Classical, Tragedy, Comedy, Sophists,
Identify: Socrates, Aristotle, Plato Herodotus, Hippocrates,
1) Worksheets
2) DBQ Practice
Lesson 13 Was Alexander the Great a Philosopher King or Bloody Tyrant? Read pages 125-131
Define: Hellenism,
Identify: Diogenes, Euclid, Archimedes
1) Explain the important contributions made by scientists and mathematicians during the Hellenistic Age.
2) How did Alexander encourage cultural diffusion throughout his empire? Explain and give 2 examples
3) Worksheet
Lesson 14 How was the Roman Republic structured?
Read pages 138-144
Define: Patrician, Republic, Plebian, Consul, Dictator, Tribune, Indemnity, Triumvirate
1) Describe two ways in which the geography of Italy influenced the rise of Rome?
2) Pretend that you are either a plebian or patrician, describe your daily activities ( job, household chores, food,
clothing, lifestyle, home, beliefs, etc)
3) How might the struggle between patricians and plebeians have weakened Rome? Explain in one paragraph.
Lesson 15 How did the Punic Wars affect Rome?
Read pages 145-149
Identify: Hannibal, Scipio, Tiberius, Gracchus, Sulla, Julius, Octavian, Marc Anthony,
1) How successful was Hannibal’s campaign after crossing into Italy?
2) Do you agree or disagree with the ways in which the Romans treated the people in their provinces? Why or
why not?
3) Why was Julius Caesar both admired and opposed by the Romans? 1 ½ page essay write an introduction, 3-4
body paragraphs and a conclusion
Lesson 16 Do we owe a debt of gratitude to Ancient Rome?
Read pages150-156
Define: Aqueduct, Augustus, Pax Romana,
Identify: Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Galen, Ptolemy, Virgil, Livy
1) Primary Source Reading Seneca Condemns Gladiatorial Brutality Why did Seneca oppose gladiator fights?
Do you agree or disagree with him? Explain
2) Describe three ways the Romans successfully built and ran their empire?
3) Fill in the following T Chart: Achievements of the Roman Empire and the US( at least 4 for each side)
Rome
United
States
4) Which achievement of the Romans, do you think was most significant in influencing our current society?
Explain your answer Intro, 3-4 body paragraphs,conclusion
Lesson 17 Did Rome fall or was it pushed?
Read pages 157-167 DBQ Fall of Rome
Define: Sect, Messiah, Disciple, Martyr, Bishop, Patriarch, Pope, Constantine, Judea, Jerusalem
Identify: Augustine, Jesus of Nazareth
1) Why would Christianity be appealing to the marginal people of society?
2) Why were the teachings of Jesus viewed as a threat to the Roman emperors?
Lesson 18 How did the Byzantium Empire preserve the culture of Rome?
Read pages 212-223
Define: Mosaic, Illuminated, Manuscript, Icon, Hagia Sophia
Identify: Constantine VII., Justinian, Theodora, Autocrat,
1) How did geography benefit the Byzantium Empire?
2) Make an epitaph for Justinian?
3) Describe the legacy of the Byzantium Empire. Intro,3-4 paragraphs conclusion
Lesson 19 Who are the Eastern Slavs?
Read pages 224-231
Define: Steppe, Boyar, Tsar, Autocrat,
Identify: Ivan III, Rurik
Google a map of The Eastern Slav region ( 800 AD- 1300 AD) Print it out and describe Why were the use of rivers
important to the Eastern Slav cities? Give at least 4 examples
Lesson 20 What are the tenets of Hinduism?
Read pages 170-175
Define: Rajah, Epic, Dharma, Reincarnation, Karma, Ahimsa, Caste
1) Find a picture of a Hindu God/Goddess and write an editorial about the deity
2)Explain the roles of karma, dharma and reincarnation in the process of achieving moksha
3) Imagine you are an untouchable in the social hierarchy of India write a two day journal entry of your life ( at
least 3-4 paragraphs describing each day)
Lesson 21 Who was Siddhartha Gautama? Summer Reading Due Socratic Seminar Assignment on
LMGHS website
Read pages 176-178SOCRATIC SEMINAR FOR SUMMER READING SIDDHARTHA DATE TO BE
ANNOUNCED
Define Nirvana, Stupa, Four Noble Truths
1) According to the Buddha how can people escape worldly suffering?
2) Make a Venn Diagram Compare and Contrast Hinduism and Buddhism
3) Which belief system would you follow? Explain why
Lesson 22 What was the Golden Age of India?
Read pages 179-185
Define Golden Age, Maurya,
Identify: Asoka
1) How did the rulers of India’s empire have an effect on the religious life of the Indian people?
2)Fill in the following chart a) Which leader would you follow and explain why?
Ruler
Type of
Areas Conquered Religious Beliefs Positive Effects
government
of Ruler
Darius
Caesar
Alexander
Asoka
Lesson 23 What are the achievements of China?
Read pages 186-201
Define: Civil Service, Wudi, Mandarins, Ethics, Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism
1) DBQ Practice Chinese belief systems
3) Fill in the following table a) Choose two belief systems make a Venn Diagram Compare and Contrast
Judaism
Christianity Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism Daoism
Founder if
applicable
Describe
belief 2-3
sentences
Region/
Country/
area it
began
Lesson 24 Who was Muhammad?
Read pages 232-240
Define Sheikh, Revelation, Hajj, Five Pillars of Faith
1) How did geography shape the lives of the people on the Arabian Peninsula?
2) Write an Editorial of How did Muhammad become the prophet of Islam?
3) Compare and contrast two traditions of Islam ( religious holidays, rules, tradition) to a similar tradition
within Judaism OR Christianity. This should be at least one page, double spaced.
Lesson 25 How did Muhammad’s’ successors extend Muslim rule and spread Islam?
Read pages 241-245
Define Caliph, Jihad, Abu Bakr, Shiites, Sunnis, Abbasids
1) Describe the differences between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
2) Write postcard to a relative in Arabia, of how you are assisting in the spread of Islam. ( trade, conquest,
discussion with other cultures in the area) use an index card.
Lesson 26 What were the contributions of the Muslims? DBQ Muslim Achievements
Read pages 246-252 Define: Madrasa, Arabesque, Chronicles
Identify: Moses Maimonides,
1) Find a picture of Muslim art and describe what elements characterize Muslim art?
2) How did Muslim scholars preserve and build on the learning of earlier civilizations?
3) Primary Source Reading Tales from the Arabian Nights a)What is the point made in the “Drop of Honey?”
Lesson 27 How did Akbar strengthen Mughal rule? Read page 461 Use Class notes and reading
Identify Akbar , Mughal Dynasty
Define: Usurp
1) What policies did Akbar follow to strengthen his empire?
2) Which policy do you think is most significant and explain why?
Lesson 28 What were the main characteristics of the Ottoman and Safavid Empires? Use class notes and
reading
Define Janizary, Shah, Edict
Identify: Ottomans, Istanbul, Suleiman, Tehran, Shah Abbas the Great
1) Make a Venn Diagram Compare and Contrast Suleiman and Shah Abbas by examining their contributions
and the effects they had on their respective empires. Writing activity which leader do you think left a
significant lasting legacy and explain why? (at least ½ page double spaced
Class periods have incorporated within the lesson plans PowerPoint Presentation, video, art,
architecture, geographical features, speeches, primary sources, guided reading and questions. Team work
activities, with the use of graphic organizers, summary of lesson, writing component to access
understanding of the material.
Skills reinforced during class time: Writing, Reading , Comprehension, Analysis, and Evaluation of
Primary Sources, Test Taking Skills, Re-Call Prior and New Information. Peer Critique of Writing.
Map and Atlas Activities reinforce Geography
Email me at Cadrion@nyc.schools.gov for assistance, BEFORE the homework, assignment, project,
research, thematic essay and DBQ is due. I will respond to emails during my prep period and parent
engagement time on Friday.