Florida Lesson Plans:
The Development of Writing

What follows are lesson plans that use Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (2008). There are links to printable versions of the lesson at the bottom of the page.

Lesson Title:
The Development of Writing
Objective:
The student will understand the value of writing in the development of most advanced civilizations.  The focus will be on the development of writing in Mesopotamia.
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards:
SS.6.E.3.3  Describe traditional economies (Egypt, Greece, Rome, Kush) and elements of those economies that led to the rise of a merchant class and trading partners.

SS.6.E.3.4  Describe the relationship among civilizations that engage in trade, including the benefits and drawbacks of voluntary trade.

SS.6.W.1.1  Use timelines to identify chronological order of historical events.

SS.6.W.2.3  Identify the characteristics of civilization.

SS.6.W.2.4  Compare the economic, political, social, and religious institutions of ancient river civilizations.



SS.6.W.2.7  Summarize the important achievements of Mesopotamian civilization.
Activities:
  • Complete Mesopotamia assignment on writing
  • Class discussion:  why would people need writing?
  • Imagine:  if possible, when you are out with a parent, think of what it would be like if you did not know how to read.  Think of how we use our ability to read throughout the day in almost all situations.
  • Powerpoint presentation on symbols
  • Several volunteers will write pictographic statements on the board.  The class will then attempt to decipher the pictographs.
  • Complete a five sentence paragraph that explains how the development of writing allowed civilization to flourish.  The paragraph must have a valid topic sentence, a least two support sentences and a conclusion that restates but does not repeat the topic sentence. 
  • Compare:  the class will compare their work to a model paragraph provided by the teacher.
HOMEWORK:  Mesopotamia assignment on Gilgamesh
Materials:
  • Mesopotamia assignment on writing
  • Powerpoint presentation on symbols
  • Model essay

Resources:

Download this lesson plan as Microsoft Word file or as an Adobe Acrobat file.

   
 

To cite this page (MLA):

Dowling, Mike. "The Development of Writing Lesson Plan" www.mrdowling.com.
Updated July 23, 2013 . Web. Date of Access. <http://www.mrdowling.com/Florida_Lesson_Plans/
Florida_Lesson_Plans_603-writing.html>