Grade 5 · Social Studies · Lesson 11

Ancient Civilizations Overview

A CIVILIZATION is a large, settled society with cities, government, writing, jobs that are NOT all about farming, and shared art and beliefs. The first civilizations on Earth all grew up in similar places — next to a big RIVER. Rivers gave people drinking water, fish, soil that flooded back to life every year, and a road for trade.

What this lesson teaches

1Locate the four river-valley civilizations on a world map
2Match each ancient civilization to a major contribution
3Order the major ancient civilizations from oldest to most recent
4Explain why early civilizations grew up along rivers

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