Early Civilizations: Historical Flip Book

World History/Mr. Fischhaber

State Standard F2 indicates that students of world history must be able to identify and
explain the basic features and differences between early civilizations, focusing
specifically on their political, economic and social systems, and their changing
interactions with the environment.

To master this standard, you will create an historical flip book display that highlights
the basic features of a civilization. You will be assigned one ancient civilization to
research. From your research you will then teach six other students about the design
of your particular civilization; they, in turn, will teach you about one of the other
great civilizations in early human history.

7 basic features of a civilization Project 1st page

1. Cities Capital or other major/important cities
2. Central governments (dictator, king, etc. and law codes)
3. Writing and record-keeping
4. Specialized jobs
5. Social classes
6. Complex technologies
7. Highly organized religions

7 River Valleys
1. Tigris-Euphrates Valley (Sumer)
2. Nile River (Egypt)
3. Indus Valley (India)
4. China (Shang Dynasty)
5. Mesoamerica (Olmec)
6. South America (Moche)
7. Mediterranean (Minoan Crete)
Requirements for River Valley Flip Book:
1.) The book will highlight the seven basic features of a civilization.
2.) You will have a details page about your assigned civilization.
3.) All basic features must include a text box with a written or typed explanation of the
feature (print legibly or type) and a matching visual (it may be hand-drawn image)
to illustrate the feature for your group.

4.) The book must include a creative title page.

5.) The book must include color.

6.) The book must be neat. As indicated above, print legibly or type the information.
Utilize your space; bare white space will result in loss of points.

7.) The book must be historically accurate; misinformation or incorrect information

will result in a point deduction. (Also, be careful not to plagiarize.)

8.) You must provide explanations of how these features helped your civilization
transform from a tribe of nomadic hunter gatherers into the civilization they were
and connect those features/developments to our modern lives What role does a
written language play in our lives today? How do specialized jobs help us today?
What are some examples then and now of those specialized jobs? Etc.)

9.) Your book will have

Cover page including the name of your civilization

One page for each basic feature of your civilization you will need to
explain the significance/impact of that feature and how it changed the life of
the average citizen living that city. (See #8 for more specific examples)
One page for your specific river valley
Total pages 10-11

You will be allowed one class period in the media center to research your civilization.
During these periods of time, points will be assigned for using your time productively
(see rubric on attached page). There will be a limited amount of time to put the
book together, use your time wisely.

Media Center Research Dates: ________________________________________

Flip Book Due Date/In-Class Presentation:_______________________________

 Name: _________________________ Hour: ___

Rubric: Early Civilizations Historical Flip Book

_____/5 Research Time Used Productively in Media Center

Comments:

_____/28 Book includes Seven Basic Features of Civilization and

explanation of each (2 pts for text, 2 points for visuals
7 x 4 = 28points)
Comments:

_____/5 Book has a creative cover.

Comments:

_____/12 Information is Historically Accurate and your specific river

valley has been thoroughly researched.

_____/50 TOTAL POINTS LETTER GRADE_________

OVERALL COMMENTS: