Page 29 - Scaffolding for English Language Learners

(TY-gris) to grow crops and to trade with other cities.”
“It is hard to think of a time when people did not use the river for growing crops and for traveling as we
do today!” Iddin said.
Warad replied, “That it is. I have more to explain to you. You see, after a while, many people had made their homes along the Euphrates, and some had land farther back from the river. Soon, it was difficult for everyone to reach the water easily. People started wondering if there was a way to get the water from the river to other parts of the city. Soon, they discovered that there was a way!”
Iddin thought for a minute, then exclaimed, “The canals!”
“Yes!” his father continued. “They dug ditches cut into the earth, which we call canals. The water flowed out of the river and through the canals to the areas of the city farther from the river. Then farmers could grow crops even where the rivers didn’t flow.”
“Our great king, Hammurabi (hah-moo-RAH-bee), did the same thing. He had canals dug to move water all over our country from the two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. And King Hammurabi and his helpers used an ancient way to collect rainwater. When the winter rains come, the water doesn’t just wash away downstream. They made the waters run into a reservoir so that after the rains stopped, there would be water for drinking or for watering crops. Once this was done, people could stay in one place near the river and make that place better and better until finally we had....”
“Babylon!” exclaimed Iddin. “Our king, Hammurabi, must be the best king of all, Father.” Warad agreed. “He is, indeed, a great king. And now I think it is time for us to head home, my son.”
1. Introducing the Read-Aloud
Domain Introduction
AIR Additional Supports
Provide a visual representation of the two meanings of ancient during the introduction of the text .
Core Knowledge Teacher and Student Actions
The teacher introduces the text and explains the meanings of the word ancient. The teacher briefly explains the similarities and differences between people today and people in ancient Mesopotamia. Core Knowledge (CK) suggests a T-chart be used to compare and contrast life during ancient time and today and images and clips of Mesopotamia be used to familiarize children with this civilization.
AIR Instructions for Teachers
 Show students the first picture.
 Tell students that the word ancient can be used to describe the time period in which the people in
Mesopotamia lived. The picture shows a village, or town in Mesopotamia, from a long time ago.
This meaning of ancient is very long ago.
 Partner Talk: How can you tell this village is from a very long time ago?
 Show students the second picture.
 Tell students that the word ancient can also mean very, very old. This picture shows a very old tree.
 Partner Talk: How can you tell this tree is very old?
American Institutes for Research Scaffolding Instruction for ELLs: Resource Guide for ELA–25