Ancient Mesopotamia Farming and Agriculture: A Problem Based Learning Assignment

For this webquest, you will travel back in time to Ancient Mesopotamia.  Civilization was relatively new.  People had to figure things out for themselves in order to survive. 

Problem: You and your people have decided to create your very own city-state in Mesopotamia.  You know that agriculture is the most important thing that needs to be established before you can move there and before there can be a variety of jobs. It doesn't rain much so in that way the land is a desert.  You and your team have been hired by your King to research  where the agriculture should reside and which animals and plants will grow and thrive well in the area you choose.  You are also in charge of planning how the farming and harvesting will look (when, where, how, etc.). You will need to research farming and animal domestication in Ancient Mesopotamia and produce a detailed write-up for your Sumerian King on how the people of your city-state will grow, and raise food products. Use the printed guided questions you have been given and the internet to help you with your write-up.  You will  be working as a team, but every person needs their own write-up.

Questions that will help guide you: 

Guided Questions to research:

1.      Where would a good place to set up your farmland?

2.      Which crops will you grow?

3.      How will you ensure your crops will grow healthy and abundant (that there will be lots of food produced)?

4.      How will your farms get the right amount of water?
5.      Where will you get the seeds for your crops?

6.      When will you plant?

7.      When will you harvest?

8.      What tools or beasts of burden will you need for harvesting?

9.      What domesticated animals will you need?

10.     How will the above domesticated animals be used?

11.     Will this system stand the test of time? 

Objective:  Students will research and report on an Ancient Mesopotamian agriculture system that will withstand the test of time.

Use the resourses below to help you answer the questions that have been supplied to you. 

Resourses: 

https://mesopotamiadiv1.wikispaces.com/Agriculture+in+Mesopotamia

http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub363/item1513.html

  http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/agriculture.html                 

  http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/staff/resources/background/bg08/home.html  

Dear Team, Congratulations!  Your team has done a great job planning for our farming and agriculture needs. Thank you for your hard work.  Sincerely,King