SOL 3.4a K-3 Social Studies SOL

3.4a

The student will develop map skills by
a) locating Greece, Rome, and West Africa

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR ANCIENT GREECE

Activate prior knowledge by having students locate places they studied during second grade on a large world wall or floor map (i.e., the seven continents and four oceans, United States, the Great Lakes, and mountain ranges, Egypt, China).
Use a large world wall or floor map and have students locate the continent of Europe and where the country of Greece is today. If you have a laminated or dry erase map, you may have the students circle these with a dry erase marker.
As a review, discuss the hemisphere where Greece is located.
Use a topographic map and discuss what symbols and colors represent bodies of water (i.e. blue wavy lines). Locate the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Next, discuss what symbols and colors represent mountains and hills (i.e. orange/brown triangles). Show students that Greece is located among many mountains and hills. Talk to the students about how this causes problems with farming and the fact that Greece has limited rich soil for growing crops.
If you have previously taught the students how to use other reference materials, you could have students find Greece and the Mediterranean Sea in an encyclopedia, atlas, desk map, and on a globe. Compare and discuss the similarities and differences of the colors and symbols.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR ANCIENT ROME

Use a large world wall or floor map, have students locate the continent of Europe and where the city of Rome is today. If you have a laminated or dry erase map, you may wish to have the students circle it with a dry erase marker. Explain to the students that Rome today is actually a city in Italy located on the continent of Europe and that city is also next to the Tiber River. However, ancient Rome (long ago) was a country (and empire) that encompassed a lot of land around the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient Roman Empire was actually located on three continents – Europe, Africa, and Asia.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR EARLY WEST AFRICAN EMPIRE OF MALI

Introduce Mali by using a large world wall or floor map. Have students locate the continent of Africa and where the country of Mali is located. Discuss the location and what the climate and the land is like. Discuss the location of bodies of water. Have the students brainstorm what problems the people of Mali long ago may have experienced because of its location and environment (i.e. deserts, hot and dry climate, lack of water, difficulties in farming crops, etc.). Talk about how far away sources of water are and how different this country is compared to ancient Greece and Rome.

WEB SITES

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/kelly/feltman/main_page.html
Here is a review of ancient Greece and Rome.

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/
webunits/greecerome/civ.html
This Web site is a resource for students and teachers on ancient Greece.

http://chaucer.chesterfield.k12.va.us/Instruction/
SocialStudies/home.html
This Web page is a collection of sites that relate to the four ancient civilizations with many links.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/OakViewES/smith/95-96/greece/
Visit the Web page created by a fifth grade class at Oak View Elementary School.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/romans/home.html
This site has hundreds of links to ancient civilization information, maps, videos, lesson plans, and activities.

http://mali.pwnet.org
This site, entitled “Mali: Ancient Crossroads of Africa,” is provided by the Virginia Department of Education and has numerous links, resources, lesson plans, pictures, and maps.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/
factbook/geos/ml.html
The Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook provides statistics on Mali.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/countries/Mali.html
Here is more statistical information about Mali.

http://www.geographia.com/mali
This Web site has a good brief history of Mali.

http://www.worldtrek.org/odyssey/teachers/malilessons.html
Here is a unit for teachers about Malian life and history as well as its achievements and challenges.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/
storyofafrica/index_section4.shtml
The BBC World Service provides a brief summary of the West African kingdoms.

http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/unesco/timbuktu.html
The History Channel has lessons on Timbuktu.

http://www.maliembassy-usa.org
The Embassy of the Republic of Mali Web site has current information on Mali, including the history of Mali, Exploring Mali, and Mali Interactive.

LITERATURE LINKS

Locating Greece, Rome and West Africa; physical and human characteristics of Greece, Rome and West Africa; how the people of Greece, Rome and West Africa adapted and changed their environment to meet their needs.

Kerr, Daisy.
Ancient Greece. New York: Franklin Watts, 2000.
This book explores the land and people, city life, food and feasts, religion, and festivals of the Ancient Greeks.

Chelepi, Chris.
Growing up in Ancient Greece. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates, 1994.
This book describes the daily life in Ancient Greece.

Kerr, Daisy.
Ancient Romans. New York: Franklin Watts, 1996.
This book describes the daily life of Ancient Romans.

Corbishley, Mike.
Growing up in Ancient Rome. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates, 1994.
This book describes daily life in ancient Rome.

Quigley, Mary.
Ancient West African Kingdoms: Ghana, Mali and Songhai. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2002.
This book examines the social, economic, political, and cultural life of the people of ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.