Mesopotamia is an important part of ancient history, not to mention the cradle of civilization! Here are nine Mesopotamia map activities to help your students understand the “lay of the land”. While these activities are geared toward middle school students and older, schools with a classical curriculum or classes exploring ancient civilizations at a younger age may also benefit.
1. Ancient Mesopotamia Map
This map is a great resource to add to your teaching repertoire and use for a variety of ages. The first page includes a smaller map with lines for notes while the second page includes a larger map.
Learn More: Angelic Scalliwags Homeschool
2. Fill in Ancient Mesopotamia Map
This map is slightly more structured with blanks for major cities, the Nile River, and other major features of the region. This is an excellent resource for comparison to the modern region. This handout can also be used as an extension to a unit on Ancient Egypt.
Learn More: Angelic Scalliwags Homeschool
3. Ancient Mesopotamia 3D Map
Why use a graphic organizer when you can make a paper mache map? While this activity might take longer, you can incorporate questions about geology, physical geography, and more. Leave part of the map area blank to add pictures from the unit to create a learning touchstone.
Learn More: 123Homeschool4Me
4. Salt Dough Ancient Mesopotamia
It’s good to have a variety of resource types when exploring new content. Here’s another hands-on map for students. Extend the learning one step further by laying it on top of a modern map and asking follow-up questions about ancient vs. modern political geography.
Learn More: Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
5. Ancient Mesopotamia Interactive Notebook
This resource type is basically the digital version of an interactive notebook. Virtual manipulatives encourage the entire class to stay engaged on their personal devices as the teacher lectures. In addition to culture and history, the bundle includes a map activity.
Learn More: Storyboard That
6. Ancient Mesopotamia TimeMap
This is a great extension assignment to deepen knowledge of locations around Ancient Mesopotamia. The pre-made digital activity is also an aid for students to connect the historic region to modern-day countries; making the ancient peoples feel more like “real people”.
Learn More: Time Maps
7. Ancient Mesopotamia Map
If you need offline homework that students can take home, this packet is a great option! This resource on mapping includes a fillable map, as well as other questions to complete. This packet would also be great for a flipped classroom format in class.
Learn More: Sharp School
8. Mesopotamia River Map
This video map details important geographical locations in the Mesopotamian region. Students are then quizzed on geographic locations. Detailed descriptions of the earliest river valley civilization are a great way to review the Ancient Mesopotamia unit.
Learn More: Instructomania
9. Ancient Mesopotamia Helpful Video
This quick video is great to use on the first day of the unit or just want a quick revision of the civilization. Information about the geographic features of the region is embedded in the discussion of culture and history in this video. Use this 12-minute video as a way for students to become familiar with the material before completing an Ancient Mesopotamia map.
Learn More: CrashCourse
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