RESEARCH PROJECT

EAPP – HUMANITIES

Ancient Civilisations Research Project

For this project, you will:

Investigate two ancient civilizations Prepare a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint presentation explaining the key

elements of these civilisations Write an essay comparing/contrasting two ancient civilizations

Part One:

Choose two ancient civilisations that interest you and research them.

Part Two:

Create a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint presentation.

Part Three:

Present your project to the class.

Part Four:

Use the listening sheet to take notes on your classmates’ presentations.

Part Five:

Use what you have learned to write a 5-paragraph essay comparing and contrasting two [or more] ancient civilisations.

Part One: RESEARCH

Choose two [2] ancient civilisations that interest you from the following list:

Assyrians

Aztecs

Babylonians

Chavin

Incas

Indus Valley Civilisation

Mayans

Mesopotamians

Olmec

Persians

Sumerians

Helpful Internet sites:http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/

http://www.regentsprep.org

http://ancienthistory.about.com

www.nationalgeographic.com

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/history/assyrians.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/MESO.HTM

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook03.html#Sumeria

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook05.html#Persia:%20General

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/history/persians.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/civamrca/incas.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/civamrca/mayas.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ancindia/ancindia.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ancchina/ancchina.htm

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/india/history/index.htm

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/history/index.htm

http://www.harappa.com/har/har1.html

Images

http://www.google.com/images

Maps

http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_maps_index.htm

RESEARCH NOTES:

a) Time Period

When did this civilization begin?

When did this civilization end?

b) Geography

Where was the civilization located?

What is that place called today?

What type of geographic setting exists there? [mountains, lakes, oceans, etc.]

c) Government

Who was the ruler of this civilization?

How was this civilization organized?

Did they have rules/laws?

d) Religion

What kind of religion did they have?

Did they worship one God [monotheistic], or many Gods [polytheistic]

Did they believe in life after death?

e) Technology

What was the major contribution of this civilization to the world at their time?

What inventions/innovations did they have?

How did they build their buildings, roads, etc.

What farming techniques did they use?

Can we still see any evidence of lasting contributions today?

f) Writing

What type of writing did they have?

g) Art/Architecture

What was the main form of art in this civilization?

What was their architecture [buildings] like?

What can we learn about them from their art?

Part Two: POWERPOINT

Prepare a PowerPoint document that you will present to the class. It should include information about the following key elements of the civilisations:

Time Period [when did the civilization begin & how long did it last?] Geography [location, description of the setting] Government Religion Technology [Inventions and/or Contributions] Writing Arts & Architecture

Each key element should be on a separate slide.

Part Three: ORAL PRESENTATION [5 to 10 minutes]

Stand up and speak LOUDLY and CLEARLY.

Include IMAGES on each slide that illustrate [show] what you are talking about.

Do NOT type too much text onto each slide and then just read during your presentation.

Give your presentation IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Part Four: LISTENING

Use this listening chart to help you write notes as you listen to your classmates’ presentations. These notes will help you write the comparative essay. You will hand in this sheet so take careful notes. Ask questions if you miss something.

KEY ELEMENT CIVILISATION: CIVILISATION:

Time Period

Geography

Government

Religion

Technology [Inventions and/or Contributions]

Writing

Arts & Architecture

Part Five: ESSAY

Choose two of the ancient civilizations that the class has studied and write an essay comparing these. Include one of the civilisations that you researched and one that was researched by one of your classmates.

For your points of contrast you should choose three key elements to focus on.

Follow this outline as you write your essay:

Comparison/Contrast Essay OutlineA Contrast of Civilisation X and Civilisation Y

I. Introduction (Include a hook and a thesis statement including the points of contrast 1,2, and 3)

II. Topic Sentence: Point of Contrast 1 A. Civilisation X

1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

B. Civilisation Y 1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

III. Topic Sentence: Point of Contrast 2 A. Civilisation X

1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

B. Civilisation Y 1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

IV. Topic Sentence: Point of Contrast 3 A. Civilisation X

1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

B. Civilisation Y 1. Detail or example

2. Detail or example

V. Conclusion

(with a summary of points, a restatement of thesis, and a final comment)

Example of a Comparative Essay: Comparing Cats and Dogs

Introduction

Cats and dogs make excellent pets, but you must think about pet management, the cost of owning the pet, and whether the pet will need special accommodation before you decide which pet will be the right one for you.

1.Topic Sentence: Point of contrast 1

Cats do not change their owner’s lifestyle as much as dogs do.

A: Cats1. Detail: Don’t have to be watched during the day 2. Detail: Easier to get care if the owner travels

B: Dogs 1. Detail: Shouldn’t be left alone 2. Detail: Harder to get care when the owner is away

2. Topic Sentence: Point of contrast 2

Cats are less expensive to own and care for than dogs.

A: Cats 1.Detail: Food and health care are usually less expensive

2.Detail: Less likely to cause property damage B: Dogs

1. Detail: Food is more expensive 2. Detail: Over-breeding causes some health problems

3. Topic Sentence: Point of contrast 3

Cats don’t need special accommodation.

A: Cats 1. Detail: Don’t take up much space2. Detail: Less trouble

B: Dogs 1. Detail: Often need a yard and a fence 2. Detail: Require more safety and protective measures

Conclusion

When considering adopting a pet, a prospective owner must consider their lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who do not compare these aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.

Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on pet

management, cost, and accommodations.

The first difference between cats and dogs is management. Cats don’t have to be

watched during the day. It is easier to get care for a cat if the owner travels. In

contrast, dogs shouldn’t be left alone. They may get in trouble if they are left by

themselves. And it is more difficult to find a good dog resort or someone to look

after the dog if the owner travels.

The second difference is cost. Cats are less expensive to own and take care of.

Food and health care costs are usually fairly low. Also, cats are less likely to

damage property or hurt themselves. On the other hand, dogs often chew on

furniture, damage gates or fences and sometimes they get into fights and hurt

themselves.

The final difference is accommodations. Cats don’t take up much space. They

don’t need a large area to run around and they can take care of themselves most

of the time. They don’t cause trouble to their owners or other people. Dogs,

however, often need a yard or a fence. And because they like to bark and run

around, they need more safety and protective measures.

When considering adopting a pet, you must consider the management, cost and

accommodations that the pet would require. Owners who don’t think about these

aspects will often not care for their pet in a safe manner.

Useful phrases:

The first similarity/difference is…

One similarity…

Another point they have in common…

A further similarity…

Also, …

However, …

One difference is…

Another difference is…

A further dissimilarity…

In contrast…

On the other hand…

Finally….

…and…

…but…

…so…

Editing checklist:Did you…〇 Spell all the words correctly?

〇 Write in complete sentences?

〇 Use a capital letter at the beginning of each sentence?

〇 Use a period at the end of each sentence?

Word Bank: Agriculture

Ancient

Architecture

Calendar

City

Civilisation

Climate

Communicate

Compare

Contrast

Contribution

Culture

Cuneiform

Describe

Desert

Evidence

Explain

Hieroglyphics

Highlands

Innovation

Investigate

Irrigation

Label

Livestock

Location

Monotheistic

Papyrus

Plow

Polytheistic

Present

Reflect

Settlement

Sickle

Similar

Stylus

Summary/summarise

Technology

Timeline

Transportation

Unlike

Village

Forming Comparative and Superlative AdjectivesOne-syllable adjectives.Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form and –est for the superlative.

One-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form

tall taller tallest

old older oldest

long longer longest

Mary is taller than Max. Mary is the tallest of all the students. Max is older than John. Of the three students, Max is the oldest. My hair is longer than your hair. Max's story is the longest story I've ever heard.

If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add –r for the comparative form and –st for the superlative form.

One-Syllable Adjective with Final -e Comparative Form Superlative Form

large larger largest

wise wiser wisest

Mary's car is larger than Max's car. Mary's house is the tallest of all the houses on the block. Max is wiser than his brother. Max is the wisest person I know.

If the one-syllable adjective ends with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant and add –er for the comparative form; and double the consonant and add –est for the superlative form.

One-Syllable Adjective Ending with a Single Consonant with a Single Vowel before It

Comparative Form

Superlative Form

big bigger biggest

thin thinner thinnest

fat fatter fattest

My dog is bigger than your dog. My dog is the biggest of all the dogs in the neighborhood. Max is thinner than John. Of all the students in the class, Max is the thinnest. My mother is fatter than your mother. Mary is the fattest person I've ever seen.

Two-syllable adjectives.

With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.

Two-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form

peaceful more peaceful most peaceful

pleasant more pleasant most pleasant

careful more careful most careful

thoughtful more thoughtful most thoughtful

This morning is more peaceful than yesterday morning. Max's house in the mountains is the most peaceful in the world. Max is more careful than Mike. Of all the taxi drivers, Jack is the most careful. Jill is more thoughtful than your sister. Mary is the most thoughtful person I've ever met.

If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –er for the comparative form. For the superlative form change the y to i and add –est.

Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -y Comparative Form Superlative Form

happy happier happiest

angry angrier angriest

busy busier busiest

John is happier today than he was yesterday. John is the happiest boy in the world. Max is angrier than Mary. Of all of John's victims, Max is the angriest. Mary is busier than Max. Mary is the busiest person I've ever met.

Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, or –ow take –er and –est to form the comparative and superlative forms.

Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -er, -le, or -ow Comparative Form Superlative Form

narrow narrower narrowest

gentle gentler gentlest

The roads in this town are narrower than the roads in the city. This road is the narrowest of all the roads in California. Big dogs are gentler than small dogs. Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the gentlest.

Adjectives with three or more syllables. For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.

Adjective with Three or More Syllables Comparative Form Superlative Form

generous more generous most generous

important more important most important

intelligent more intelligent most intelligent

John is more generous than Jack. John is the most generous of all the people I know. Health is more important than money. Of all the people I know, Max is the most important. Women are more intelligent than men. Mary is the most intelligent person I've ever met.

Exceptions.

Irregular adjectives:

Irregular Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form

good better best

bad worse worst

far farther farthest

little less least

many more most

Italian food is better than American food. My dog is the best dog in the world. My mother's cooking is worse than your mother's cooking. Of all the students in the class, Max is the worst.

Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most.Two-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form

clever cleverer cleverest

clever more clever most clever

gentle gentler gentlest

gentle more gentle most gentle

friendly friendlier friendliest

friendly more friendly most friendly

quiet quieter quietest

quiet more quiet most quiet

simple simpler simplest

simple more simple most simple

Big dogs are gentler than small dogs. Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the gentlest. Big dogs are more gentle than small dogs. Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the most gentle.

Grammar worksheets taken from: http://www.eflnet.com/tutorials/adjcompsup.php