PRINT RESOURCES: NON-FICTION

The Usborne Book of the Ancient World 

http://tinyurl.com/otpmnt

A clear overview.  Not a lot of detail but easy to read with lots of illustrations and a simple format.

     Print Sources on Ancient Mesopotamia available through WCLS:

Mesopotamia / Jane Shuter

http://tinyurl.com/ovpne3

Ancient Mesopotamia / by Don Nardo

http://tinyurl.com/rxu6fa

Review excerpt (School Library Journal): ...[P]rovides an overview of the first cities and empires as well as the cultures of the Assyrians and Babylonians ... continues with the rise and expansion of the Persian Empire under Cyrus II and Darius I, and the later invasion by the Greeks under Alexander. Nardo touches on the changes after the fall of the Greek dynasties, subsequent rulers, and the rise of Arab influence. Average-quality, black-and-white photographs, maps, and reproductions illustrate the readable, well-organized text. Extensive quotes from primary and secondary sources, including well-known ancient and contemporary historians, are included. A lengthy bibliography and list for further reading round out this useful resource for reports.  Includes good-quality, color photographs."-Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukie, OR Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. Reviewed in School Library Journal. 

Ancient Mesopotamia / by John Malam

http://tinyurl.com/ogwkry

Each volume is organized by double-page spreads, such as "Leisure"  or "Farming".  Each spread is also organized with an introduction to the topic, a "word discovery" box, a glossary, two subtopics, a "Case Study," and some illustrations.  Written at a 3rd or 4th Grade level. Well reviewed by Horn Book.

     Print Sources on Ancient China available through WCLS:

Ancient China / Jane Shuter

http://tinyurl.com/o9nu2x

This is one title in a series.  These simple, brief titles are fun but may be a bit too simple for your students.  They are intended for grades 4-7.

Review: "...[A] delightful new series of books on ancient civilizations using the theme of time travel to introduce young readers to daily life in various locations [...]The time travel theme enables the writers to speak in the present tense, a tactic that brings those societies to life but might confuse some readers [...] The interesting format and bright covers will attract readers. Bibliography. Glossary. Web sites. Index. Recommended." Reviewed by Libray Media Connection Reviews 

Great ancient China projects / Lance Kramer  

http://tinyurl.com/ownzf8

25 projects for ages 9 and up.  No review available but included because project books were specifically requested.

     Print Sources Not available from WCLS (source indicated): 

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians  / by Virginia Schomp

http://tinyurl.com/qs4odp

This title would be a  good choice for your purposes.  It is very well reviewed and a good fit for the age and reading level of your students. Recommended for grades 5 - 8.

Review excerpt (School Library Journal): "These well-written, attractive titles have extensive collections of quality color photographs of ruins and artifacts. There are illustrated time lines and biographical dictionary sections as well as lists of additional resources including videos, and some useful and intriguing online sites. [...]  Mesopotamia explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures; their social strata; and the lifestyles of farmers, rulers, nobles, priests, merchants, artists, and the military in these societies. These titles rise above most on the topic and are right on target for the intended audience." -Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukie, OR Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.  

Mesopotamia / by Lorna Oakes

http://tinyurl.com/pg3hk7 

This title would be especially helpful for your students with lower reading levels.  It gets a good review. Recommended for grades 5 through 8.

Review excerpt: "Readers are immersed in ancient cultures through kaleidoscopic viewings of relevant peoples, buildings, religions, clothes, languages, and means of sustenance. Spreads cover a subtopic each and generally contain a couple of paragraphs in addition to numerous bright, captioned photographs and reproductions, and, on the bottom, time lines and crafts." - School Library Journal

Adventures in Ancient China /  by Bailey, Linda / Slavin, Bill (ILT)  http://tinyurl.com/pg3525 

Good for reluctant readers, this is a story told in graphic novel format about twins who travel back in time to the Han Dynasty.  They learn about ancient culture along the way.  Factual information is presented at the bottom of the page as well. 4-6 grade reading level.  Well reviewed by Horn Book.

DVD/CD-ROM RESOURCES

Ancient Civiliztions for Children Video Series

http://tinyurl.com/qb74mz

This is an excellent DVD series, recommended for grades 3-7.  It has specific volumes on China and Mesopotamia as well as Ancient Aegea, Ancient Africa, Ancient Aztec, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Inca, Ancient Maya and Ancient Rome.  School Library Journal said, "These remarkable videos should be purchased by all schools...The series excels in relating the ancient cultures to the present...and in bringing the ancient ruins to life."  Each program includes a detailed Teacher's Guide that provides information on the topic, vocabulary words, discussion questions, follow-up activities and a list of suggested book and Internet resources.  The Teacher's Guides are also available online at www.LibraryVideo.com . This DVD set is available through Whatcom Library System: http://tinyurl.com/ongmgj

Wonders of the Ancient World Video Series

http://tinyurl.com/ryqmcx

This series is intended for an older audience (grades 7-12), so if the other seems a bit young for your students, you may want to consider this one.  It is focuses on the fantastic monuments of the past, though so it's more specific.  There is avolume on Ancient China but not on Mesopotamia, so you may want to only get one volume.  Each volume comes with a teacher guide which is also available online.  WCLS does not have any volumes in this well-reviewed series.

Time Life's Lost Civilizations

http://tinyurl.com/qggc7b

I was unable to find professional reviews of this resource but it was highly recommended by homeshool parents (9 year old student) and high school history teachers on Amazon.  It covers a huge range of time in 4 discs and focuses on the culture and what life was like.  Mesopotamia is featured on volume 1 along with Egypt and the Aegean and China is featured on volume 2 along with Greece and Rome.  Total run time is 500 minutes and it's only $45.00.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

http://tinyurl.com/oj9fky

A Discovery Channel production narrated by Pierce Brosnan looks at the Seven wonders of the Ancient World and recreates what they would have looked like.  This is available through WCLS.  

ONLINE RESOURCES 

Mr Donn's Ancient History Page

http://www.mrdonn.org/ancienthistory.html

Mr Donn is a Middle School teacher who has an extensive website full of lesson plans and outside links.  Many areas of ancient history are covered including China and Mesopotamia/Sumer.  There are also links to free videos and lots of project ideas.

Life in Mesopotamia

http://mesopotamia.lib.uchicago.edu/mesopotamialife/index.php 

The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago has a nice website with information that will be accessible to your students.  Information is organized into "cultural themes" such as Religion, Role of Women, etc.

"Primary Source" Website

http://tinyurl.com/qtch4w 

There is a nice page here with links to lesson plans for middle schoolers.  There are ideas for primary sources including some ancient texts and folktales.  Not all resources are for "Ancient" China.  Check the dates.

Ancient China Website

http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/menu.html

A beautiful and informative website from the British Museum.