APUSH
Lesson Plans
Unit
First Civilizations
Topic What is a Civilization?
Objectives/Goals
Administration
Identify characteristics of civilization
Analyze artifacts from ancient Sumer and explain how they
are examples of the various characteristics of civilization
Identify modern-day artifacts that are examples of characteristics of civilization
Map the areas of the Fertile Crescent
Prep/Materials/Copies
History Alive Textbook and materials
Lesson Development
Warm-up: (ENGAGE)
Students will create a spoke diagram describing characteristics of a civilization to activate their prior
knowledge on the topic
Procedures: (EXPLORE)
Students will read and take notes about the characteristics of civilization.
Students will analyze artifacts from ancient Sumer and categorize them under the different characteristics of civilization.
Procedures: (EXPLAIN)
Students partners will present one artifact to the class, explaining how that artifact fits within one or
more of the characteristics of civilization
(ELABORATE)
Students will create a human spectrum showing how the Sumerian artifacts affect civilization today
and will explain the reasoning for their placements.
(EVALUATE)
Students will create a graphic organizer showing modern items and how they fit within the different
characteristics of civilization.
Notes