Primary Topic Shop is a team of two people. Richard is a primary teacher and Christa is a graphic designer and photojournalist. Between them, they have the unique ability to create original material for their units. It doesn't hurt they are both very interested in the subject matter! In fact, Richard and Christa lived in Egypt where Richard worked at a British School. Now they live in Scotland and are researching UK history.
Primary Topic Shop is a team of two people. Richard is a primary teacher and Christa is a graphic designer and photojournalist. Between them, they have the unique ability to create original material for their units. It doesn't hurt they are both very interested in the subject matter! In fact, Richard and Christa lived in Egypt where Richard worked at a British School. Now they live in Scotland and are researching UK history.
Description: Discover the fascinating world of the Indus Valley Civilization with this comprehensive and engaging resource focused on the ancient city of Harappa. Perfect for middle school students, this resource provides a mix of history, archaeology, and interactive learning activities to make the ancient world come alive.
What’s Included:
Informational Texts: Detailed readings that cover the discovery of Harappa, its urban planning, and everyday life in the Indus Valley Civilization.
Vocabulary Activities: Key terms and their definitions with synonym exercises to build understanding and retention.
Engaging Comprehension Questions: Assess reading comprehension with questions designed to deepen students’ knowledge.
Interactive True or False Section: A fun and educational activity to review important facts.
Artifact Analysis Project: Learn about Harappan seals by designing and carving a personalized clay seal, inspired by actual Indus Valley artifacts.
Creative Writing and Research Assignments: Explore life in Harappa with imaginative writing prompts and research tasks.
Make Your Own Indus Pot Design: A creative art project where students can complete and decorate ancient pottery designs.
Cross-Curricular Learning: Integrates history, geography, art, and language arts for a well-rounded educational experience.
Key Features:
Aligned with social studies standards for middle school
Easy-to-follow instructions for hands-on activities
Engaging visuals, including maps and photos of Harappan ruins
Designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a love of ancient history
Ideal For:
History and Social Studies Teachers
Cross-curricular projects
Homeschool educators looking for an in-depth ancient history unit
Terms of Use:
This resource is for personal or classroom use only. Please do not share or distribute without permission. For more information, visit https://www.primarytopicshop.com/primary-topic-shop-resource-terms-of-use.
Bring the wonders of the Indus Valley Civilization into your classroom with activities that engage and inspire your students!
In this lesson, students learn about Ancient Greek Art. The illustrated information pages cover sculpture, painting, architecture, theatre and pottery with a mini bio of Lysippos (personal sculptor to Alexander the Great) and Euripides (well-known Ancient Greek playwright). Activities include comprehension worksheets, research and writing activities, art activities, and a theater production activity.
Pages: 30 (including 2 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Illustrated Information Pages
Comprehension Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Fact File Activity
Blog Post Activity
Make a Fresco Activity
Black-Figure Pottery Activity
Red-Figure Drawing Activity
Theatre Activity (Myth of the Gorgon’s Head)
Answer Sheets
Take a fascinating trip through antiquity with the help of our in-depth Mesopotamia resources! This bundle, which is ideal for middle school classes, is your one-stop shop for teaching students about the origins of civilization.
Close Reading: Explore Mesopotamia’s rich history, geography, and culture. This bundle includes illustrated reading pages about the region’s main features, from the Tigris and Euphrates to life in a Sumerian city-state.
No-prep Worksheets: Evaluation tools, such as worksheets, projects, and quizzes, help to gauge students’ comprehension. The purpose of assessments is to gauge critical thinking and comprehension.
Engaging Exercises: Use a variety of activities to bring history to life. Students will actively participate in playing Mesopotamian games, debating the ethics of Hammurabi’s Code and writing a version of a Mesopotamian myth.
Cross-Curricular Activities: This subject offers opportunities for cross-curricular linkages that go beyond history. Vocabulary definitions and activities are included in each resource. Students will correct the punctuation of the Enuma Elish, interpret the English translation of Hammurabi’s laws, debate the impact of Mesopotamian inventions on today’s world, analyse the character arc of Gilgamesh in the epic poem, and decorate a vase with elements from their own lives.
Immerse your students in the everyday lives of the first civilization in the world. Three reading pages cover aspects of Sumerian life including city life, the life of a farmer, social classes, home life, food, clothing and leisure time. Worksheets and activities reinforce the information. Also included are two printable versions of the Royal Game of Ur, possibly the oldest board game in the world. This is a fun, quick game to understand and play, similar to backgammon.
Pages: 16 (including 2 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
True or False Worksheet
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Compare and Contrast Activity
Writing Challenge
Printable Royal Game of Ur (differentiated versions)
Royal Game of Ur Instructions (differentiated versions)
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
The Mesopotamians were an ancient civilization who lived in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for several thousand years. This resource includes reading pages, vocabulary, worksheets, and two activities.
Pages: 11 (including 4 answer sheets)
Contents:
2 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
True or False Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Timeline Activity
Word Search activity
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
The Epic of Gilgamesh, written over 4,000 years ago, is often referred to as one of the earliest pieces of writing in human history. It tells the story of the heroic adventures of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk in Mesopotamia. The epic poem was written in cuneiform, one of the earliest writing systems, on clay tablets. This resource includes reading pages, vocabulary, worksheets, and two writing activities.
Pages: 14 (including 5 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Synonym Vocabulary Worksheet
True or False Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Character Arc Activity
Writing Challenge
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
Discover the fascinating world of Mesopotamian innovations with this comprehensive teaching resource. Engage your students in a journey through time as they explore the important inventions that emerged in ancient Mesopotamia, shaping the course of history and influencing our present-day lives.
Pages: 18 (including 3 answer sheets)
Contents:
5 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Vocabulary Crossword
True or False Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Debate Activity
Sundial Making Activity (Two Versions)
Activity Lesson Plans
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
Resource Highlights:
In-Depth Exploration: Delve into the wheel, writing, maps, the sail, weapons, wine and beer, irrigation, the city, and time tracking. Each section provides historical context, technological evolution, and societal impacts.
Engaging Activities: Reinforce learning with various activities, including a vocabulary crossword, true or false worksheet, comprehension questions worksheet, debate activity, and a sundial making activity with two versions.
Lesson Plans: Detailed lesson plans guide you through each activity, ensuring a seamless and comprehensive learning experience. These plans include step-by-step instructions for the debate activity and sundial making activity.
Assessment Tools: Evaluate student understanding with answer sheets provided for all activities. Monitor comprehension, vocabulary retention, and critical thinking skills through purposeful assessment.
Integration of Multiple Subjects: Seamlessly integrate history, science, and language arts with cross-curricular connections embedded throughout the resource.
Legacies and Connections: Explore the lasting legacies of Mesopotamian innovations and their impact on civilizations throughout history. Stimulate critical thinking with reflections on the profound influence of these inventions on our modern world.
Vocabulary Enrichment: Enhance students’ language skills with a dedicated vocabulary page containing definitions and synonyms related to the Mesopotamian inventions discussed.
The Code of Hammurabi was one of the world’s first legal codes. These Babylonian laws were inscribed in stone in the 18th century BCE (around 4,000 years ago). This resource includes reading pages, vocabulary, worksheets, and two classroom activities.
Pages: 13 (including 3 answer sheets)
Contents:
2 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Synonym Vocabulary Worksheet
True or False Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Debater Activity
Classroom Code Activity
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
Teach your student about the ancient religion of Mesopotamia and the pantheon of gods and goddesses they worshiped. Includes an introduction with an explanation of a ziggurat, a reading page of the Babylonian version of the creation myth (Enuma Elish), brief descriptions of nine gods and goddesses, a vocabulary page with descriptions, worksheets and activities.
Pages: 16 (including 5 answer sheets)
Contents:
4 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Matching Activity
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Fact File Activity
3 differentiated punctuation and capitalization worksheets
Writing Challenge
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
The Xin, Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han Dynasties are examined in this introduction to the Ancient China Resource Bundle. There is a brief introduction about dynasties and the Mandate of Heaven, followed by a short reading passage about each dynasty. Vocabulary words are highlighted in the text and vocabulary word definitions are included, along with a synonym wordsearch. There are differentiated comprehension questions and two activities.
Pages: 14 (including 4 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Synonym Wordsearch
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Timeline Activity
Fact File Activity
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
This bundle includes an information handout, activities, worksheets, a game and a poster. The information handout explores the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the Roman festivals that influenced the Celts, the Christian All Saints’ Day and later traditions brought by Irish and Scottish immigrants to North America. The game is a fun Bobbing for Apples Quiz Game, where students have to “bob for apples” (pick a letter card) and spell the answer to a quiz question. This can be played by individual students in stations, or by teams in a class. The poster features a timeline that explores the origins of Halloween and how the traditions have changed over time. The size of the poster is 11 x 17 inches but it is a scalable vector so it could easily be printed bigger or smaller.
Pages: 15 + poster
Contents
1 Information Handout
3 Fill In The Timeline Activities (Differentiated)
1 Comprehension Questions
1 Multiple Choice Questions
Bobbing For Apples Quiz Game
Answer Sheets
Poster
This printable PDF includes an information handout, differentiated comprehension worksheets, and an art activity. The information consists of a brief passage on the life of St. Patrick, the early celebrations, as well as symbolism and colors associated with the holiday.
Pages: 6 including 2 answer sheets
Contents
1 Information Handout
1 Comprehension Questions
1 Multiple Choice
1 Art Activity
2 Answer Sheets
The Viking Sagas lesson covers a brief history of sagas and examples of a legendary saga, and a historical saga. It includes a write your own saga activity.
Pages: 8 (including 2 answer sheets)
Contents:
Information Pages
Comprehension Questions
Write Your Own Saga Activities
Color Puzzle
Creation Saga Drawing
Answer Sheets
All photos, illustrations and text are original by Christa Galloway, Primary Topic Shop.
The Rosetta Stone lesson includes facts about the Rosetta Stone and the story of the Rosetta Stone. The activities included are a reading response, find the definition, find the synonym and crack the code.
Pages: 10 (including 3 answer sheets)
Contents:
Information Page
Story of the Rosetta Stone (Close Reading)
Reading Response Questions
Find The Definition Activity
Find The Synonym Activity
Crack The Code Activity
More Decoding
Answer Sheets
Reviews from teachers:
*Attractively done, with great content and engaging activities! -Martha S.
*
Challenging and helpful for studying with my 3rd grade gifted students -Jen W.
This is a fantastic resource for sixth grade Social Studies! -Meghan D.
This resource delves into the ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices surrounding the afterlife, including the origins of mummification, the process of mummification, the use of canopic jars, funerary rituals, the Book of the Dead, and the Underworld. It includes worksheets with various types of questions, such as multiple-choice, crossword, and an activity where students must arrange the steps of mummification in the correct order.
Pages: 9 (including 3 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Pages
1 Crossword
1 Steps of Mummification Activity
1 Multiple Choice
3 Answer Sheets
This bundle includes all of our resources on Ancient China. Each resource is a PDF file that contains illustrated reading passages, definitions of vocabulary words, vocabulary and comprehension worksheets, activities and answer sheets. The materials are easy to understand and are ideal for use as a no-prep, self-directed work packet. The bundle includes resources on Ancient China’s dynasties, the Chinese calendar, Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall of China, Confucius, and the Silk Road, as well as a resource from our Women of Ancient History set on Fu Hao.
This introduction to the Ancient China Resource Bundle explores the five Ancient Chinese dynasties; the Xin, Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties. There is a brief about dynasties and the Mandate of Heaven, followed by a short reading passage about each dynasty. Vocabulary words are highlighted in the text and vocabulary word definitions are included, along with a synonym wordsearch. There are differentiated comprehension questions and two activities.
Pages: 14 (including 4 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Synonym Wordsearch
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Timeline Activity
Fact File Activity
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
The Silk Road was an ancient trade route between East Asia and the Mediterranean. Opened during the Han Dynasty in 138 BCE, the Silk Road became a 4000-mile-long network of trade routes that were used for more than 1,500 years.
This reading passages briefly cover how the Silk Road opened, the route, the secret of silk, other trade goods, religion, plague and the Silk Road during the Middle Ages.
Differentiated comprehension worksheets, a vocabulary activity and a board-game-making activity are included.
Pages: 11 (including 3 answer sheets)
Contents:
2 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Vocabulary Crossword
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Board Game Activity
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
The Chinese lunisolar calendar has been used for over 4000 years. In Ancient China, farmers used the calendar so they would know when to plant their fields and harvest their crops. This resource includes reading pages about the lunisolar calendar, origins of the Chinese calendar, the Chinese Zodiac, the legend of the Great Race, the introduction of the Gregorian calendar and Chinese New Year as well as a vocabulary guide. Included are differentiated worksheets, Chinese lantern craft and Zodiac Stickers that can be used for Health & Wellbeing.
Pages: 16 (including 4 answer sheets)
Contents:
3 Information Handouts
Vocabulary Page
Chinese Zodiac Reference
Vocabulary Worksheet
Chinese Lantern Craft Project
True or False Worksheet
Multiple Choice Worksheet
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Zodiac Stickers
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use
Confucius was a philosopher, teacher and politician who lived about 2,500 years ago in Ancient China. This resource includes reading pages about the life of Confucius and his legacy. A vocabulary guide and activity is provided, as well as differentiated activities and worksheets. A simple info sheet accompanied by a True or False activity is included for further differentiation.
Pages: 21 (including 6 answer sheets)
Contents:
5 Information Handouts
Comprehension Questions Worksheet
Multiple Choice Worksheet
True or False Worksheet
Synonym Unscramble Worksheet
Virtue Chart Activity
Virtue Art Activity
Class Discussion
Answer Sheets
Terms of Use