Sumerian Trade and the Importance of Writing

Objective: SWBAT discuss the important relationship between complex trade and written language by the end of today's lesson.

Materials: 3 giant bags of candy (Tootsie rolls, Jolly Ranchers, Hershey's Kiss), complex directions written on board and hidden by screen, complex directions hard copy for me to read.

1. Students will sit in groups of 3 or 4 depending on class size and available resources2. One student will come to the candy “bank” and receive 3 or 4 pieces of each type of

candy from the teacher.3. These students will then sit down and await instructions and once everyone gets their

candy I will explain the directions to them.a. Students will not understand the point of this activity until we are complete

4. Explain that you are going to give directions on student groups to trade pieces of candy with each other. Explain directions will only be given once and they could get complicated. Students CAN NOT WRITE ANYTHING DOWN. They must trade as a group not as individuals.

5. Give first set of directions. (these directions can vary but must go from simple to overly complex in a matter of minutes depending on class time available)

6. Give a second more complex set of directions about trading candy.7. Then the third and very difficult to follow with any accuracy, then another set even more

difficult.8. At this point the next set of trading directions should be so complicated that there is no

way to follow them without written instructions. 9. Stop all trading and ask “was trading like that easy? Who is confused on what to trade

for?” The answer should be a resounding yes if the directions were hard enough. Next ask “would it be easier if you had been given written directions ahead of time or distinct values for each item?” then flip up the screen to show the directions written on the board.

10. Allow them to trade again but this time with a given value to each candy item that is set by the teacher.

11. Call everyone together and discuss how the Sumerians used Cuneiform to record and regulate complex trade and how this was a major cultural accomplishment.

12. Record these on the class culture chart online.