Hunter-Gatherer Societies

Writing Warm-Up  What do you expect to happen as early human groups continue to evolve, develop bigger brains, and become more intelligent? How might their way of life change? Share your response here.  

Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Vocabulary Study and Guided Reading Today we are going to be learning about early human hunter-gather societies. We will be mastering key vocabulary using the Cognitive Content Dictionary in your Social Studies folders, as well as doing some guided reading using the text below. The document Hunter-Gatherer Societies - Cognitive Content Dictionary can be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom (and the text can also be accessed on pages 12 and 13 of your Ancient Civilizations textbooks).

Homework  Continue working on the Hunter-Gatherer Societies - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which should be completed and 'turned in' by next Friday, August 28.

Walking with 'Lucy'

Video: Walking with Cavemen  Today we are going to learn more about 'Lucy,' one of our earliest human ancestors, whose scientific name is australopithecus afarensis. As we watch the beginning of the series Walking with Cavemen, you will take notes about what you learn about this early hominid (human-like) species using the document Walking with Cavemen (Part 1) - Study Guide which you can find in your Social Studies Google Classroom. 

Becoming Human - An Interactive Documentary Experience  If time permits you may spend more time learning about the origins of humankind by exploring the amazing website 'Becoming Human.' Click the link here and join fossil hunter and the discoverer of 'Lucy,' Donald Johanson, as he guides you through four millions years of human evolution.

Homework  Don't forget to complete and 'turn in' your Studying the Distant Past - Cognitive Content Dictionary by tomorrow, Friday, August 21 in order to receive full credit.  

Becoming Human

Partner Discussion Warm-Up: What types of evidence do scientists use to study prehistoric times?  Before beginning our lesson today I would like you to turn to your table partner and discuss what types of evidence do scientists use to study prehistoric times. What can we learn by examining these types of evidence? What are some problems with this types of evidence? Be prepared to discuss you ideas with the whole class. 

Fossil Discoveries and African Beginnings  Now we are going to read and learn about one of the most important fossil discoveries in human history. While reading think about why the discovery of "Lucy" was so important and what it tells us about our human beginnings. 

"Lucy" and Donald Johanson

A reconstruction of what "Lucy" may have looked like.

Becoming Human - An Interactive Documentary Experience  Today we are going to continue to learn about the origins of humankind by exploring the amazing website 'Becoming Human.' Click the link here and join fossil hunter and the discoverer of 'Lucy,' Donald Johanson, as he guides you through four millions years of human evolution.

Sudying the Distant Past (Day 2)

Video: What is Archaeology?  To begin today let's learn more about the job of an archaeologist by watching the short video below.  

Studying the Distant Past: Vocabulary Study  Now let's continue learning some of the key vocabulary and concepts related to archaeology and the study of the distant past by using our Studying the Distant Past - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can still be located in your Social Studies Google Classroom. 

Guided Reading: Studying the Distant Past  Next, we are going to read excerpts from your text book related to how archaeologists study the origins of humankind. As we read together and in small groups, I would like you to recognize the text features that the textbook utilizes to organize information and help you find what you need. Notice, for example, how the textbook uses boldface blue type to point out new words, as well as larger type to show titles. Additionally, special information appears alongside the main text.  

Homework  Remember to complete and 'turn in' your Studying the Distant Past - Cognitive Content Dictionary by this Friday, August 21 in order to receive full credit. 

Studying the Distant Past

'Who We Are' Slideshow  Let's begin today by taking a few minutes to put the finishing touches on our slides for our collaborative Google Presentation slideshow about who we are. Click the appropriate link to continue. 4th period click here and 6th period click here. Finally, let's watch our slideshow together and learn about the members of our classroom community.

Group Discussion: How do we know what happened in the distant past?  The time before written records is called prehistory. If no one wrote things down long ago, how do we know what happened in the distant past? What sort of things might historians and scientists examine in order to understand what happened in ancient history?  Discuss your ideas with the members of your group and be prepared to share with the class.  

Is there anything that fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones can teach us about how we study and understand the distant past? 

  
Studying the Distant Past: Vocabulary Study  Today we are going to learn some of the key vocabulary and concepts related to the study of the distant past by using a vocabulary study guide called a Cognitive Content Dictionary (CCD). You can find your Studying the Distant Past - Cognitive Content Dictionary and a reading selection related to our topic of study (which corresponds to pgs. 6 - 11 of your Ancient Civilizations textbook) in your Social Studies Google Classroom. (I will need to give you the code to your class before you can get started).

Using your CCD you will think about what you already know about the word, include a definition and image, and finally use the word in a sentence.

Homework  Complete and 'turn in' your Studying the Distant Past - Cognitive Content Dictionary by this Friday, August 21 in order to receive full credit.  

Why Study History?

'Who We Are' Slideshow  Let's begin today by taking a few minutes to work on our slides for our collaborative Google Presentation slideshow about who we are. To continue your work, click the appropriate link and follow the directions. 2nd Period click here, 4th period click here, and 6th period click here. Finally, let's watch our slideshow together and learn about the members of our classroom community.

Why Study History?  In our Social Studies course this year our focus will be on studying early human history and ancient civilizations. But why? Why should we care about happened thousands or even millions of years ago? Why does what happened in the past matter to us now? Why do we study history in general and why should we care? Turn to the members of your table group and have a discussion about why you think it is important to study and understand what happened in the distant past. Discuss why learning and appreciating history is worth our time. 

Then, let's watch the perspective of a history teacher in the video below about why he believes knowing history is important. 

Community Building

Back-To-School Scavenger Hunt  Let's continue to get to know each other. For each question on the Scavenger Hunt worksheet find someone in class who shares that attribute and have them sign the answer blank for that question, as well as provide additional information. Don't have the same person sign for each question. Avoid talking to people you already know. Be brave and meet new people! We are all in this together!

'Who We Are' Google Slideshow  Let's take your new Chromebooks for a spin, start to get familiar with Google Docs, and learn about each other all at the same time. Today we are going to make a collaborative Google Presentation slideshow about who we are. Click the appropriate link and follow the directions. 2nd Period click here, 4th period click here, and 6th period click here. 

Homework  You may work on your Google Slide page at home, however I also will give you some class time to work on it tomorrow. Make sure you only work on your own slide.