Write Like a Sumerian

In this activity, students discuss the concept of symbolic writing and analyze several examples of cuneiform, the writing system of ancient Sumeria. Students will also use a worksheet to create their own writing systems based on cuneiform and then use this writing to record a transaction.

Weblink address (URL):

Write Like a Sumerian

Home Page- source

Standards & Objectives

Essential and guiding questions:

How were the earliest forms of writing developed?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Helpful Hints

MATERIALS:

Cuneiform Activity Worksheet
Primary Source Analysis Tool with Teacher’s Guide
http://www.ancientscripts.com/sumerian.html
“Write Like A Babylonian” web tool at http://www.penn.museum/cgi/cuneiform.cgi

eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.