1. Do Now: Copy Mesopotamia Vocabulary into your notebooks -Fertile Crescent* – a crescent-shaped region of good farmland created by the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. -Natural Barriers* – geographic obstacles, such as mountains & deserts that prevent cultural diffusion. -Diversity- differences in culture, religion & nationalities. -Ziggurats*- a pyramid-like structure built to honor gods. -Cuneiform* – a wedge-shaped writing formed by pressing a pen-like instrument into clay. -Empire* – groups of states or territories governed by one ruler.

2. -Fertile Crescent* – a crescent-shaped region of good farmland created by the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. -Natural Barriers* – geographic obstacles, such as mountains & deserts that prevent cultural diffusion. -Diversity- differences in culture, religion & nationalities. -Ziggurats*- a pyramid-like structure built to honor gods. -Cuneiform* – a wedge-shaped writing formed by pressing a pen-like instrument into clay. -Empire* – groups of states or territories governed by one ruler.

3. Examine the Map on the East side of the Handout Answer questions 1 & 2 in FULL SENTENCES Use the information that you underlined or highlighted to fill in the chart on Sumer: Geography Religion Contributions

4. Mesopotamia’s geographic setting was in…

5. Characteristics of Mesopotamian Religion included…

6. Some major contributions of the Mesopotamian civilization included…

7. Read Document # 1 Answer questions 1 -3 in FULL SENTENCES AdvantagesDisadvantages

8. Using your notes, fill out the chart comparing: Egypt Mesopotamia