The Agricultural Revolution
What happens when humans stop moving? Roots begin to grow. The Agricultural Revolution shifted the course of history as farming reshaped how people lived, worked, and organized their communities. Explore this pivotal transformation with these classroom-ready lessons and teaching material that connect early agriculture to the rise of civilizations.
How to Teach the Agricultural Revolution
Blog: Foraging or Farming? Two Visual Answers
Help students weigh the pros and cons of foraging and farming.
Skills Clinic: Mapping History
Guide students to visualize the Agricultural Revolution’s footprint as they explore thematic maps and gain tips from an educator-led session that will help you grow students’ geography skills.
Growing Student Understanding of Agriculture—Hands-On
Yes, agriculture can be fun. Teachers share great ideas for “seeding” engagement in your classroom.
Planning for Agriculture and Ancient Civilizations
Check out new ways to connect the Agricultural Revolution and the formation of complex societies in this teacher conversation.
Teach Tomorrow: Lessons on the Agricultural Revolution
Lesson 2.5
The Biggest Mistake Humans Ever Made?
Was the development of agriculture good or bad? Investigate the consequences—both positive and negative—of farming for humanity.
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Lesson 5.2
Agricultural Revolution
In what ways did going from foraging to farming revolutionize society? Let’s dig deeper into the details of exactly how agriculture changed human life—for better and for worse.
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Agricultural Revolution Activities and Resources
Why Was Agriculture So Important?
Video
Why Was Agriculture So Important?
The invention of farming was not just about tastier food. Farming unlocked powerful forces that transformed history.
Geography: The Agricultural Revolution
Activity
Geography: The Agricultural Revolution
Can you predict where some of the first crops were grown? Use your geography skills to determine the correct locations.
Ancient Empires and Agriculture Thematic Map
Map
Ancient Empires and Agriculture Thematic Map
Where did agriculture begin and what crops were domesticated there? Have students explore the map to help them visualize the Agricultural Revolution.
The Thresholds: Agriculture and Complex Societies
Article
The Thresholds: Agriculture and Complex Societies
Foragers’ knowledge of their environment led to the invention of farming. From there, complexity really started to speed up.
Farming and the State
Video
Farming and the State
Did farming create states? Were all states made by farmers, and did all farmers come to live in states? Two world historians share what they know about farming and the rise of states.
Causation: From Foraging to Complex Societies
Activity
Causation: From Foraging to Complex Societies
Have students grapple with cause and consequence to examine what caused the shift to farming, and what were the consequences for humanity.
Writing Assessments for the Agricultural Revolution
Pre-Writing: Farming vs. Foraging
Assessment
Pre-Writing: Farming vs. Foraging
Get ready for writing by crafting a claim and gathering supporting evidence to compare the impacts of foraging and farming.
DBQ Sources: Farming vs. Foraging
Assessment
DBQ Sources: Farming vs. Foraging
Analyze the documents to explore how the Agricultural Revolution transformed life for early humans.
Writing: Farming vs. Foraging
Assessment
Writing: Farming vs. Foraging
Time to write! Use evidence to demonstrate your understanding of the impacts of farming.