Characteristics Of A Civilization Lesson Plan for 6th Grade Students

Topic: Characteristics of a civilization

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to analyze the characteristics of a civilization and the rise of civilization after agricultural revolution.

Materials

• Pictures of various civilizations (e.g. ancient civilizations such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, as well as modern civilizations such as modern-day China and the United States)
• Handouts with the characteristics of a civilization (e.g. advanced technology, massive population, complex government, advanced economy)
• Colored pencils or pens for students to take notes and draw diagrams

Warm-up

• Show the students pictures of various civilizations and ask them to talk about what they notice. Ask them what makes a civilization different from a tribe or a village.
• As a class, brainstorm a list of things that civilizations might have or do that villages or tribes don't.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of civilization and explain that it is a large, complex society that has developed the skills and technologies needed to support a large population over a long period of time.
• Explain that the rise of civilization after the agricultural revolution gave people the ability to settle in one place and build buildings and cities.
• Show the students pictures of various civilizations and have them identify which one they are looking at. Ask them to explain why that civilization developed in that particular place and what makes it unique compared to others.
• As a class, discuss the characteristics of civilizations, such as the ability to grow large populations, use of technology, and the development of government and cultural traditions.

Guided Practice

• Have the students work in small groups to create a list of the characteristics of a civilization.
• Have each group present their list to the class and discuss any differences or additions.
• As a class, create a story map of the rise of civilization after the agricultural revolution, including the reasons why it developed and the characteristics of a civilization.

Independent Practice

• Have the students work individually or in small groups to create a project that demonstrates their understanding of the characteristics of a civilization.
• Projects can be a poster, a model, a written report, or some other form of presentation.
• Have the students present their projects to the class.

Closure

• Review the characteristics of a civilization and have the students identify examples from their projects.
• Discuss the importance of civilizations in human history and the role of agriculture in their rise.
• Encourage the students to think about how their own culture embodies the characteristics of a civilization.

Assessment

• Observe the students during the group discussion and independent practice to assess their understanding of the characteristics of a civilization.
• Review the students' presentations or reports and provide feedback on their understanding of a civilization and their ability to analyze the rise of civilization in their chosen civilization.