Curated OER
The Cuneiform Writing System in Ancient Mesopotamia: Emergence and Evolution
Students research the parallel development and complexity of writing and civilization in ancient Mesopotamia. In this ancient Mesopotamia lesson, students analyze the Cuneiform writing system in ancient Mesopotamia and how the...
Curated OER
Writing Exercise: Ancient Sumer
When summer is over, it's time to get started on Sumer! Get your scholars writing about Ancient Sumer civilizations in this exercise, which features five short-answer prompts. Writers will describe Fertile Crescent Geography, compare and...
Curated OER
The Emergence and Evolution of the Cuneiform Writing System in Ancient Mesopotamia
Middle schoolers explore the parallel development and increasing complexity of writing and the growth of civilization in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in ancient Mesopotamia.
Curated OER
Chapter 12 Writing: the ABCs of Language
Providing a thorough presentation on the art of written language (and not just English), this slideshow will open your students' eyes to the sociological and linguistic issues surrounding writing systems, both modern and historical. The...
Curated OER
Africa Review
Seventh graders trace the major events in African history. In this social studies lesson students, create a flowchart depicting the things they learned during this lesson. Students understand the chronology of major events that took...
Curated OER
Civilization in Ancient Mesopotamia
In this ancient Mesopotamia worksheet, students respond to 29 short answer and fill in the blank questions about the ancient civilization.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Cuneiform
Cuneiform is one of the oldest forms of writing known. Read about the emergence of written language and what we can learn about the Ancient World by deciphering cuneiform.
Other
World History Project: Cuneiform
Read a brief history of cuneiform, the most widely used and historically significant writing system of the ancient Middle East. Also learn about how cuneiform spread from one ancient culture to another.
Library of Congress
Loc: Global Gateway: Cuneiform Tablets
View clay tablets, cones, and brick fragments inscribed using the ancient Sumerian pictographic writing system known as cuneiform and read about the ancient writing system.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Sumerian Writing and Cuneiform for Kids
History Questions: Sumerian Writing and Cuneiform Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Art History: Cuneiform and the Invention of Writing
Article discussing early forms of writing in the Ancient Near East. Includes links to additional information.
Other
Mesopotamian Civilization: The Land Between the Rivers
This detailed article on the Sumerians provides information on Sumerian writing, myth, education, city-states, and artifacts. Part of a larger world history website, "The Land Between the Rivers," is an excellent introduction to the...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Ancient Western Asia Mesopotamia
This history site offers a wonderful lecture on Mesopotamian civilizations and culture. Includes links within the lecture to in-depth explanations of important ideas and people such as Cuneiform and Hannibal.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Enheduanna
Brief biography of ancient writer Enheduanna.
Other
Classics Technology Center: Ancient Mesopotamia
This site from the Classics Technology Center provides materials concerning ancient Mesopotamia collected through teacher collaboration. Focuses on geography, religion, economics, clothing, and achievements. Also includes classroom...
Other
History World International: Sumeria
A detailed account of the history and culture of Sumeria at this site from History World International. Includes section on language, writing, world view and religion.
