76 Early World Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 4A| The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Note: Introducing the Read-Aloud may have activity options which
exceed the time allocated for this part of the lesson. To remain
within the time period allocated for this portion of the lesson, you
will need to make conscious choices about which activities to
include based on the needs of your students.Introducing the Read-Aloud 10 minutes
Where Are We? 5 minutes
Each day, have a different student locate the area known as
Mesopotamia on a world map or globe and identify it as a part of
Asia. Remind students that this entire region of the world is now
called the Middle East and that the present-day country of Iraq is
located there.Essential Background Information or Terms 10 minutes
Use the Civilizations Chart and Image Cards 1–5 to review what
has been learned about Mesopotamia.
Explain that Mesopotamia is considered a civilization because the
people living there farmed, built cities, developed a form of writing,
had leaders, and practiced a religion. Show students the Image
Card that represents each part of civilization as you talk about it.
Groups of people around the world, in ancient times and in the
present day, have done these fi ve things. There have been, and
still are, many civilizations.
Explain to students that the read-aloud they will hear today says
that Mesopotamia is sometimes called the “cradle of civilization.”
Ask them to guess what that term might mean. Talk about the
word cradle—who uses a cradle (baby); at what stage of life
(beginning); etc. Explain that Mesopotamia was one of the fi rst-
known civilizations. It had all the important components listed on
the Civilizations Chart, things that defi ne a civilization.TThe Hanging Gardenshe Hanging Gardens
of Babylon^4 A