Virtual Civilization

Virtual Civilization

Lesson 1

In the beginning…

Geography
1. The student uses maps, charts, and other geographic tools to understand the spatial arrangement of people, places, resources, and environments on Earth’s surface.
1.1 Use and construct maps, charts, and other resources to gather and interpret geographic information
2. The student understands the complex physical and human characteristics of places and regions.
2.1 Describe the natural characteristics of places and regions and explain the causes of their characteristics	2.2 Describe the patterns humans make on places and regions
3. The student observes and analyzes the interaction between people, the environment, and culture.
3.1 Identify and examine people’s interaction with and impact on the environment	3.2 Analyze how the environment and environmental changes affect people
3.3 Examine cultural characteristics, transmission, diffusion and interaction

Answer this Essential Question

What makes the land you've chosen the best place to found a civilization?

Scenario

The tribal chief has sent you, his personal surveyor, to find the best possible place in Ancient Egypt, Europe, or the Middle East in which to begin a civilization. You have already chosen from the three individual maps one to further investigate. You will need to prove that this location will be able to sustain itself until trade with other countries becomes prominent. Your future duties will include governing this into a successful, self-sustaining, prospering civilization as we travel through time.

Task

Create a PowerPoint slide show to persuade the tribal chief which location he should move to, and what you will do to ensure a prospering civilization. Your slide presentation needs to include information on the land, including its resources and potential for societal growth.

Remember: this is an ANCIENT civilization. People will generally have to walk or ride horses (if there are horses in your region) to bring water and food to their homes. They will eat differently than we do now, based on what resources they have and whether or not you choose fertile farming land.

Questions to Guide Your Research

Answering these questions as you search will help you choose and develop your civilization.

Research and consider	Include in your presentation
1. What is the land like?	Include a map and photo
2. What types of food will the people most likely eat, based on the land they will be living on?
3. What will be the source of water?	Include a map / photo showing how where the water source is
4. What transportation will people visiting your tribe use?
5. What resources provide a potential for prosperity?
6. How strategic is your location for military defense?	Include a map

Resources

Ancient Egypt Ancient Rome Mesopotamia

Assessment

PowerPoint Slideshow Checklist
Complete	Slides	Points
	Title Slide: Location Chosen, Your Name, photo or map of your location	3
	Slide 2: Characteristics of Your Location (what does it look like? What can be found in your location?)	10
	Slide 3: Unique features of the location	10
	Slide 4: Location of your water source and how people will access the water, with map	10
	Slide 5: What types of food might be eaten (based on your information about the environment)	10
	Slide 6: 1. Types of transportation people might use to visit your location (based on the geography of the land), 2. why it's a strategic military position, with map	10
	Slide 7: Resources that provide a potential for prosperity	10
	Slide 8: Why this location should be chosen by the tribal chief	10
	Slide 19: Bibliography, list your resources you used to find the information.	10
	Presentation: Completely answers essential question, with examples that support choice of location	10
PowerPoint Checklist
	No more than 5 lines per slide	3
	No more than 7 words per line	3
	Composition of slides	1

Click here for a Virtual Civilization Rubric

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