Mesopotamia: Origins of Writing Reader's Theater & Discussion

Overview:

• The reader’s theater is a great way to analyze why people began to create forms of writing. I find that it is important to break this down into little scenes because students can put themselves in the realities of trading and bartering without a common system of communication. With language that students can understand, they will be able to connect the idea that “necessity is the mother of invention,” and that the true origin purpose of writing and creating a written language was to track goods for trade. 
• This activity takes about one class period and has discussion questions embedded into it for better conversation throughout the script. 

Standards Addressed:

• 6.2.8.GeoGE.2.a: Explain how technological advancements led to greater economic specialization, improved weaponry, trade, and the development of a class system in early river valley civilizations.
• 6.2.8.HistoryCC.2.c: Explain how the development of written language transformed all aspects of life in early river valley civilizations.

This resource includes the following:

• A script with roles for 12 students (Names with an * indicate speaking in each scene)- Feel free to choose new students for each scene if more want to participate
• Discussion questions embedded within the script to involve the whole class
• There are 4 scenes and an epilogue

Roles

Scene Director*
Narrator*
Ali*
Larsa*
Elia*
Barterer
Merchant
Scribe
Bako
Sargon
Alakko
Asmoru