Activity Overview
Using a G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart to organize information about ancient Civilizations is a useful tool to enhance students' analysis of the characteristics and contributions of a society. Going further and including visuals helps students to better retain the details of each category.
When learning about ancient Civilizations, students may need teachers to provide a variety of resources. The use of diverse resources such as primary sources, videos, songs, readings from textbooks, encyclopedias and literature can be helpful for students to gain an accurate and complete picture of the time period. Students can use graphic organizers to write notes about the different categories as they learn.
Students Can Collaborate!
Teachers may wish for students to work together on this lesson which is possible with Storyboard That's Real Time Collaboration feature! With Real Time Collaboration, students can work on the same storyboard at the same time which is perfect for this lesson! As teachers know, collaborating on assignments allows students to think on a deeper level while increasing their communication and problem-solving skills. Collaboration can also help cut down on the time it takes to complete a storyboard. While there is no set limit to the number of users who can work on a storyboard at once, we recommend five users or fewer for optimal performance. All of our assignments default to individual. To make this lesson collaborative, teachers must enable collaboration for the assignment within the "Edit Assignment" tab.
GRAPES Chart
Students will then create a spider map focusing on Religion of Ancient Mesopotamia using the template in Storyboard That and creating illustrations and descriptions to demonstrate what they’ve learned.
By focusing on just one category, students are encouraged to include more information and should complete 3-6 cells. Students can come together after they’ve created their storyboards to share what they’ve learned. The full G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart can be used as a post assessment after students have presented.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map focusing on the different characteristics or the different gods and goddesses present in the religion of ancient Mesopotamia.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write a title for each cell and a 1-3 sentence description.
- Create an illustration that represents each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items. To find images related to ancient Mesopotamia, type “Mesopotamia” into the search bar.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Requirements: Minimum of 3, maximum of 10 cells showcasing different characteristics of the Religion of ancient Mesopotamia or describing the different gods and goddesses. Appropriate scenes to illustrate each cell. 1-3 sentence description for each cell demonstrating your understanding.
Lesson Plan Reference
-How To Discuss the Impacts of Religious Beliefs on Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization
Introduce the Religious Beliefs
Begin a general discussion regarding religions and the impacts of religious beliefs on daily lives. Encourage the students to share their own perspectives and experiences. Slowly lead the discussion towards the religious beliefs of the Ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Teachers can first introduce the religions, and common faiths and talk about holy places.
Discuss Daily Life
Ask the students to perform research on the significance of religion in the daily lives of Ancient Mesopotamian people. For instance, how relevant or important was religion to people of that era? Teachers can ask questions about the daily religious activities of people (if any) and if the religious systems had any impact on the way of living just like in Ancient Indian civilization.
Examine Connection with Culture
Examine how literature, art, and architecture have reflected religious views. Examine the religious importance of objects like sculptures, cylinder seals, and epic poetry like the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ask the students to generally discuss how religion and culture get integrated over time and analyze the connection of these significant aspects.
Conduct Comparative Analysis
To find similarities and contrasts, have students make comparisons between the religious practices of Mesopotamia and other ancient civilizations, such as Egypt or Greece. This will help students a holistic view of religions and religious beliefs throughout different periods and civilizations. Students can use a graphic organizer to depict this comparison visually.
Foster a Respectful Environment
Encourage the students to be respectful while discussing sensitive topics such as religion. Students can share their opinions and perspectives and ask questions to gain more knowledge all while following a proper code of conduct. Tell the students to listen to what their classmates have to share carefully and engage in healthy debates and discussions in class.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ancient Mesopotamian Religion
Which gods and goddesses were the focus of worship in the Ancient Mesopotamian civilization?
The sky deity Anu, the gods Enlil and Enki of wind and storms, water and knowledge, and the goddesses of battle and love, Inanna and Ishtar, were among the principal figures in Mesopotamian religion. Since polytheism was a common practice in Ancient Mesopotamia, people used to believe in and worship multiple gods and goddesses.
What are Ziggurats and what was their importance in Ancient Mesopotamia?
Towering temple buildings used as religious hubs are known as Ziggurats and were a central part of the religion. They were employed in worship and rituals because it was thought that they would establish a connection between the divine and the mundane world.
Did the Mesopotamian religion have any particular festivals or rituals?
Yes, a variety of religious rites and festivals were observed by Mesopotamians. These comprised celebrations of the New Year, harvest rituals, and religious processions dedicated to certain gods.
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Ancient Mesopotamia
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