LESSON PLAN ON EGYPTIAN AND INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS

By Jasmine Ojha

Model Lesson Description:

This model lesson focuses on how geography impacted the development of major river valley
civilizations. Students will analyze the impact of geography on agricultural practices, economic
activity, political structures, religious beliefs, and other aspects of culture.
Essential Question:
How has the definition of civilization been defined by what we know about the civilizations of the
Nile and Indus.
Focus Questions:

What are the defining characteristics of civilization?

Why did ancient peoples settle in river valleys? What resources did the rivers provide?

How did geography influence the development of agriculture in river valleys?

How did geography influence economic activities such as trade?

How did geography influence the political structure of ancient governments?

How did geography influence the religious beliefs of ancient peoples?

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to

One civilization in depth.

Cite examples that illustrate how geography influenced civilizations.
Locate on a world map the Indus and Egyptian Civilizations.
Give examples of the types of government, societies, economies and religions that
developed in the Indus and Egyptian civilizations.
List the characteristics of life in the Indus and Egyptian civilizations.
Identify the importance of early inventions in the Indus and Egyptian civilizations.
Make generalizations about similarities and differences among the river valley
civilizations.
Reflect on individual and group performances.
Practice the basics of Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Process

Step 1 Students will be divided into 2 heterogeneous groups.

Step 2 Each group will choose one civilization through voice and choice.
Step 3 Group Members will divide the topics given below on each civilization for research and
Creation of a 10-15 minute powerpoint presentation.
Topics are

Geography

Writing

Time Period

Government

Agriculture

Occupations

Monuments

Religion and beliefs

Town Planning

Contributions

Rise and Fall

Step 4 Individual students will make their presentations following the given guidelines

Everyone in the group must speak during the presentation

Stand and speak loudly
Listen to one another and help each other during the presentation.
Be respectful when other groups are presenting.
-Make sure you include all the information that your classmates require for std 6 minimum
level of learning.

Important : Do not type paragraphs of text onto each screen of your document and then read them
during your presentation. As we are all learning English and practicing our speaking skills, it is
important that you give your presentation in your own words. I do want you to read from the
document you have made.
Step 5 : Groups to compile there note and post on edmodo their complete research on the
civilizations they have chosen.
Assessment
Formative (CCE 2) individual presentations
Summative Primer 2
Helpful Internet sites
www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/
https://sites.google.com/site/1ancientcivilizationsforkids/ancient-egypt
www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_egypt.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt
www.britannica.com/.../ancient-Egypt/.../Introduction-to-ancient-Egyptia..
Ancientcivilization for kids
History for kids. Org
www. neo k12.com/ancientegypt
www.history.com
simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_civilization

www.ancient.eu/Indus_Valley_Civilization

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/indusvalley/

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/286837/Indus-civilization
www.harappa.com/indus/indus1.html
www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/home_set.htm
http://www.mentorials.com/high-school-history-ancient-river-civilizations.htm

Hints for research

Research Notes
Geography Where were they located? What is that place called today? What effect the
geographic setting have on the civilization that grew? Were they geographically isolated from
other civilizations? Were they exposed to large water bodies.
Time Period When did they emerge as a civilization? When were they at their peak? How long
did this civilization last? When did the civilization come to an end?
Government What type of ruler ship did they have? How were they organised. What type of
laws did they have? What were their courts like?
Economy - What role did trade and commerce have in these civilizations? What were their major
products for trade? How did their geography affect their trade? Was their economy on a division
of labour?
Beliefs What kind of religion or worship did they practice? Were they Polytheistic or
Monotheistic? Was their religion and government combined. Did they believe in life after death?
Technology What innovations were made in these civilizations? Did they have a calendar? Did
they have irrigation system? How did they plan their towns and build their buildings, roads etc.
Writing What form of communication did they use? What type of writing did they have? Was it
pictographic? Can we read it today? Why did it develop? Was it used by other civilizations?
Art/Architecture What role did art have these civilizations? Where the main forms of art? What
was their architecture like? What can we learn about their art and architecture?
Slavery How was slavery a part of these civilizations? Were the cities built by forced labour?
Was slavery based on race? Was it permanent?
Rise and Fall What caused the civilizations to rise and fall? Did they conquer other
civilizations? Were they conquered by other civilizations? Did these civilizations fall due to other
reasons? Could they have stayed in power if their geographic location had been different.

RUBRICS

Assessment Rubric for PowerPoint Presentations

Exemplary (5)

Accomplished
(4)

Developing (3)

Beginning (2)

Organization

Information
presented in
logical,
interesting
sequence

Information in
logical
sequence

Difficult to
follow
presentation-student jumps
around

Cannot
understand
presentation-no sequence
of information

Subject
Knowledge

Demonstrates
full knowledge
by answering
all class
questions with
explanations
and
elaborations

At ease with
expected
answers to
questions but
does not
elaborate

Uncomfortable
with
information and
is able to
answer only
rudimentary
questions

Does not have

a grasp of the
information.
Cannot
answer
questions
about subject

Research

Uses a variety
of sources in
reaching
accurate
conclusions

Uses a variety
of sources in
reaching
conclusions

Presents only
evidence that
supports a
preconceived
point of view

Does not
justify
conclusions
with research
evidence

Screen Design

Includes a
variety of
graphics, text,
and animation
that exhibits a
sense of
wholeness.
Creative use of
navigational
tools and
buttons

Includes a
variety of
graphics, text,
and animation.
Adequate
navigational
tools and
buttons

Includes
combinations of
graphics and
text, but
buttons are
difficult to
navigate.
Some buttons
and
navigational
tools work

Either
confusing or
cluttered,
barren or
stark. Buttons
or
navigational
tools are
absent or
confusing

Oral
Presentation

Maintains eye
contact and
pronounces all
terms precisely.
All audience
members can
hear

Maintains eye
contact most of
the time and
pronounces
most words
correctly. Most
audience
members can
hear
presentation

Occasionally
uses eye
contact, mostly
reading
presentation,
and incorrectly
pronounces
terms.
Audience
members have
difficulty
hearing

Reads with no
eye contact
and
incorrectly
pronounces
terms. Speaks
too quietly

Elocution/Eye
Contact

Indus Valley
-

Introduction- Discovery and Extent

Town Planning
Buildings
Drainage system
Society
Food, Dress and Ornaments Recreation
Occupation
Language and Script
Seals
Trade
Religion
Decline

Egyptian
Intro, Ancient Egyptian History
Social Structure
Political Structure
Occupation
Family Life
Clothing and Jewellery
Transport and Trade
Language and Script
Religion
Art, Architecture and Engineering
Temples and Royal Tombs
Contributions
Decline