Early Humans

Studying History

Warm-Up

1. Silently enter class.2. Sit in assigned seat.3. Copy down homework = finish vocabulary

1-11 and sign and return class syllabus.4. Get Out: Student Inventory, paper, binder

and something to write with…..finish student inventory if not completed…..finish academic pennant…..place a divider into your binder…label the divider Early Humans.

Essential Questions

• 1. What are the five components of Social Studies? And Why do we study them?• 2. How do we learn about

prehistoric societies?

Vocabulary1. Geography – the study of the earth2. History – the study of the past3. Government – an organization set up to make and enforce rules for a groups

of people.4. Economy – the use of resources for the production and exchange of goods

and services.5. Culture – the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and values of a group of people;

the way of life6. Anthropology - a science that specializes in the study of people and cultures7. Archaeology - a science that studies artifacts in order to learn about other

cultures8. Fossil - the preserved remains of something that was once alive9. Artifact - an object that was made by people10. Primary Source – an account of an event created by someone who took

part in or witnessed the event11. Secondary Source – information gathered by someone who did not take

part in or witness an event

YouTube Video Clip

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgmNkYUL_Cw

The Study of the Past• Every step we take – in technology,

science, education, literature, and all other fields – builds on what people did long ago.• We are who we are…. because of what

people did in the past.• Social Studies is a combination of 5

categories: geography, history, economics, government, and culture.

What is History?• History is the study of the past. A battle that

took place 5,000 years ago, and an election that happened yesterday, are both parts of history.

• Historians are people who study history. They are interested in how people once lived their lives. To answer this question historians study people’s Culture – the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and values shared by a group of people.–Music, food, clothing, religion, art, etc.

Who studies People?• Archaeology contributes much to

understanding the past. It is the study of the past based on what people left behind. Archaeologists examine the objects they find to learn what they can tell about the past.

• Anthropology also helps historians understand about past people. It is the study of people. Anthropologists assist archaeologists and historians by providing an in-depth understanding on a culture’s beliefs and behaviors.

Understanding through History• Knowing Yourself– If you do not know your history you will struggle with your

identity….It shapes our identity and teaches us the values that we share……..and makes you who you are. Values are ideas that people hold dear and try to live by.

• Knowing Others– It helps you understand other people and the struggles

they have faced and what they are willing or unwilling to accomplish.

• Knowing Your World– Helps you understand what is happening now.– Promotes good decision making skills.– Mental skills allows you to understand what is important.

Using Clues• For information on the very first humans

we have fossil remains. A fossil is a part or imprint of something that was once alive. Bones and footprints preserved in rock are examples of fossils.• Human beings also made things which

have also helped us study the past. They made artifacts, objects created by and used by humans. Artifacts include coins, arrowheads, tools, toys, and pottery.

Sources of Information• About 5,000 years ago, people invented writing.

They wrote laws, poems, speeches, battle plans, letters, contracts, and many others. These written sources provide clues on how people lived.

• A Primary Source is an account of an event created by someone who took part in or witnessed the event.– Treaties, letters, diaries, laws, autobiography, court

documents, audio and video recordings.• A Secondary Source is information gathered by

someone who did not take part in or witness an event.– History textbooks, journal articles, encyclopedias.

Review Questions

• 1. What are the five components of Social Studies? And Why do we study them?• 2. How do we learn about

prehistoric societies?

Vocabulary Building

Using Vocabulary from your study guide – you

will use the Frayer Model Method to create Vocabulary Cards.