Year 3 - History
Other 'cradles of civilisation'
Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit analyses the similarities and differences between early civilisations. Pupils learn about Mesopotamia as a 'cradle of civilisation' and compare it to other civilisations, such as the Shang and the Indus Valley civilisations.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the ancient 'cradles of civilisation' and explain the similarities between them.
Key Notes
- Mesopotamia and the Nile were not the only places where people stopped moving around and settled down to farm.
- In Asia, other civilisations developed in the Indus River Valley and the Yellow River Valley.
- Historians and archaeologists sometimes use the phrase 'cradles of civilisation' to describe these places.
- As in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the people of the Indus and the Yellow River Valleys channeled water for farming.
- As in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the people of the Indus and the Yellow River Valleys created cities and art.
Vocabulary To Learn
- nomadic: nomadic people do not settle to live in one place but move from place to place
- cradle: a cradle is a small bed or cot that helps keep babies safe and warm when they sleep
- similarity: a similarity is when something is like something else, but is not exactly the same
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Egypt and Mesopotamia are the only places to have had early civilisations.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Mesopotamia and the Nile were not the only places where people stopped moving around and settled down to farm. In Asia, other civilisations developed in the Indus River Valley and the Yellow River Valley.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'nomadic'
nomadic people do not settle to live in one place but move from place to place.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Egypt and Mesopotamia are the only places to have had early civilisations. Correction: Look at a map of the world and point out the locations of the Indus Valley and Shang civilisations.
More Lessons In This Unit
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