Grade 1 - Early world Civilizations

Early World Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 297

1B-3 Name

Dear Family Member,

During the next several days, your child will be learning about the ancient civilization

of Mesopotamia which was located in the Middle East. Your child will learn about the

fi ve components that make up a civilization. S/he will learn that a civilization has farming

(among other types of jobs), cities, writing, leaders, and religion.

Below are some suggestions for activities that you may do at home to reinforce what

your child is learning about Mesopotamia.

1. Create Your Own
   Invite your child to draw his/her own civilization and write a sentence about the
   civilization on the activity page attached to this letter. Remind your child about the
   components that make up a civilization, and ask your child how his/her civilization has
   those components.


2. Mesopotamia
   Explore a topic related to Mesopotamia with your child. Your child will learn that
   Mesopotamia was located in the Middle East; the land was mainly desert; the civilization
   fl ourished between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers; it had a writing system called
   cuneiform; it had a large city called Babylon which had the Hanging Gardens of Babylon;
   and the people believed in many gods and worshipped their gods in buildings called
   ziggurats.


3. Sayings and Phrases: The Golden Rule—“Do Unto Others As You Would Have
   Them Do Unto You”
   Your child will learn the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do
   unto you.” This means that you treat other people the way you want to be treated. For
   example, if you want people to be nice to you, you must be nice; and if want others to
   share with you, you must share with others. Talk with your child about the meaning of this
   saying and ways to follow it. Find opportunities to compliment your child for following the
   Golden Rule.


4. Read Aloud Each Day
   It is very important that you read to your child each day. The local library and
   your child’s teacher may have books on Mesopotamia. A list of books related to this
   civilization is attached to this letter.

Be sure to let your child know how much you enjoy hearing about what s/he has been

learning at school.