Similarities between the earliest civilisations
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the similarities between the early civilisations’ religions and writing systems.
Key learning points
- Despite having different gods and goddesses, all of these ancient civilisations built special religious buildings.
- Many of them, like the Shang, the Egyptians and the Indus people, offered sacrifices to their gods.
- All of these civilisations produced writing about trade, religion, laws and rulers.
- Archaeologists and historians have managed to understand this writing, apart from that of the Indus Valley civilisation.
Keywords
Decipher - to first understand a different language or code you must decipher it
Sacrifice - to give up something valuable for a reason is a sacrifice
Common misconception
Ancient writing was only for stories about rulers and gods.
Discuss the four different uses of ancient writing: trade, laws, religion and rulers. Discuss how these are similar to modern use, like laws needed for an ancient civilisation to develop, and think about the kinds of laws they would have needed.
Teacher tip
Have students try writing words and phrases in some of the ancient civilisations' writing systems.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these were 'cradles of civilisation'?
Q2.Match each type of ancient art to the material it was made from.
Q3.What kinds of settlements did civilisations first build?
Q4.Which statement is true?
Q5.All early civilisations created made by artists and craftspeople.
Q6.What materials did ancient artists use?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which statement is true?
Q2.Each ancient civilisation built from stone or mudbrick.
Q3.What keyword means to give up something valuable for a reason?
Q4.What did ancient writing record in all early civilisations?
Q5.Which civilisation's writing has not yet been deciphered?
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Similarities between the earliest civilisations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 history lesson on: Similarities between the earliest civilisations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Sumer and other early civilisations: what made them similar? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.