Early World Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 2B | Writing in Mesopotamia 51Sayings and Phrases: The Golden Rule 5 minutes
Remind students that Warad said that writing was important
because it enabled them to write down their laws in order to
remember them more easily. Tell students that there is one “law,”
or rule, that many different people in many times and places called
“the Golden Rule,” and that many people still follow this rule today.
It is not an offi cial law in our country, but it is a famous saying that
many people try to live by: “Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you.”
Write the saying on a piece of chart paper, a chalkboard, or a
whiteboard. Explain that you are writing down the saying, but that
they are not expected to be able to read what you write because
they are still learning all the rules for decoding. Emphasize that
you are writing the saying so that you don’t forget, just like Warad
said, and tell them that you will read the words to them.
Repeat the saying and explain that “unto” means “to.” Ask
students what they think it means to “do unto others as you
would have them do unto you.” (Treat other people with the same
kindness, respect, and consideration with which you would like
them to treat you.)
Discuss how students might apply the Golden Rule in the following
situations:- Your friend falls down and scrapes her knee on the
playground. - The person sitting next to you answers a question incorrectly
in class. - Your little brother or sister is annoying you.
- You notice that a new student has no one to play with.
Ask students to think of a time that they have followed the saying
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Tell them
that you would like for them to draw a picture of it. Then, they
should each write a sentence about their pictures. Some students
may need to dictate their sentences to an adult, whereas others
may write a word or two or a complete sentence. Have students
share their drawings and writing with a partner or with the class.