Grade 7 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Across the Centuries

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 2, Lesson 2: Acquainted Cultures (pp. 32-37)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Interconnectedness Different cultures around the Mediterranean, like all cultures that come into contact with other cultures, influenced one another.

Discuss with students how trade, travel, and war can connect different cultures. Brainstorm things that might be exchanged when two cultures meet. (Examples include ideas, foods, medicine, language, tools, traditions, and goods.)

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write a flow chart showing how trade and war impacted Persia, Rome, China, and India. Discuss with students both positive and negative effects.
Have students create a thematic map showing the cultural interaction between Persia, Rome, China, and India. Students should draw symbols to represent goods, inventions, and ideas exchanged; lines to show important routes; and arrows to show the direction of movement.

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