The Ancient World

This activity focuses on understanding cuneiform in Mesopotamia. It helps students understand how cuneiform developed and how it was used across different cultures in Mesopotamia.

This informational text/reading comprehension "bundle" about the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica covers topics such as geography and land, Classic period cities such as Palenque and Tikal, religion and rituals, writing, art, calendars, the ballgame, conflict, and the living Maya. It also includes useful graphics to explain concepts such as Maya writing (glyphs), as well as short text boxes that discuss topics like the differences between Maya and Mayan. For ease of reading, the text is presented in a single full-color PDF, similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to bring the Classic Maya world to life.

These 33 printable word wall cards feature vocabulary related to Mesoamerican geography and civilizations, including the Aztec (Mexica), Maya, Olmec, Zapotec, and Mixtec. They are an eye-catching and engaging way to introduce students to important terms and cultures from the region known as Mesoamerica. The cards can be used on bulletin boards or printed as flashcards. They could be part of social studies stations, test reviews, and more—they have many applications in the classroom.

This printable set of guided notes is for a video about Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) and the earliest writing discovered on the Indian subcontinent found on steatite seals. It includes a word bank, and then paragraphs with blank spaces for students to fill in.

This Visual History Primer is an introduction to China's Qin dynasty. It covers topics such as the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (the First Emperor), Legalism, the archaeology of the Qin dynasty, the terracotta army, and more. For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to make the ancient Qin dynasty come alive.

An informational text/overview reading about the Paleolithic period. It focuses on early humans and tools like handaxes and Clovis points, as well as cave art and rock art, portable objects, and a case study about authenticity (about the Tequixquiac sacrum from Mexico). For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to make the ancient Shang dynasty come alive.

This informational text/reading comprehension focuses on the important trade center and site of Chaco Canyon. This reading introduces the Ancestral Puebloans, Indigenous cultures, and the history of the ancient southwestern United States. It covers topics such as trade, Great Houses, astronomical observations, food, and issues of preservation.

This informational text/reading comprehension "bundle" about Mesoamerica covers topics such as Mesoamerica's geography, timeline, and chronology, writing, religion, calendars, and more. It also includes useful graphics to explain concepts such as Maya writing and pictographs, as well as short text boxes that discuss topics like the differences between Maya and Mayan. For ease of reading, the text is presented in a single full-color PDF, similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many of which were taken on-site, to bring the Mesoamerican world to life.

This informational text/reading comprehension "bundle" about Aztec deities and mythology covers topics such as important gods and goddesses in the Aztec pantheon, key myths like the Birth of Huitzilopochtli, and identification of deities. For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to make the Aztec world come alive.

This information text/reading comprehension "bundle" covers the story of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, and his teachings. It includes topics such as the Buddha's birth, his enlightenment, his teachings, his death, and more. For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs to make the story of the Buddha come alive.

This informational text/reading comprehension on the ancient Southwestern United States covers topics such as geography, farming, architecture, petroglyphs and rock painting, and materials and trade. It talks about sites like Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Paquimé (Casas Grandes). For ease of reading, the text is in one full-color PDF and is similar to a textbook chapter. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, many taken on-site, to make the ancient Southwestern world come alive.