History

Grade 6

Human Origins in Africa Through the Neolithic Age

 

Overarching Question: What conditions led to the development of human civilizations?

 

Essential Questions:

·         What are the characteristics of civilization?

·          How did the invention of agriculture relate to the emergence of civilization?

 

Enduring Understandings 

 

MA History/ Social  Studies

 

Assessments

Learning Experiences

Archaeologists have found evidence of the origins of modern human beings in various sites in Africa.

 

The invention of agriculture and matallurgy led to human settlement, population growth, and the emergence of civilization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Describe the great climatic and environmental changes that shaped the earth and eventually permitted the growth of human life.

 

Identify sites in Africa where archaeologists have found evidence of the origins of modern human beings and describe what the archaeologists found.

 

Describe the characteristics of the hunter –gatherer societies of the Paleolithic Age (their use of tools, and fire, basic hunting weapons, beads, and other jewelry)

 

Explain the importance of the invention of metallurgy and agriculture (the growing of crops and the domestication of animals).


Describe how the invention of agriculture related to settlement, population growth, and the emergence of civilization.

 

Identify the characteristics of civilizations.

 

A.       The presence of geographic boundaries and political institutions

B.       An economy that produces food surpluses.

C.       A concentration of population in distinct areas or cities

D.       The existence of social classes

E.        Developed systems of religion, learning, art, and architecture

F.        A system of record keeping

 

Sample Assessments:

 

Sample Learning Experiences/Activities:

 

Activities from the Skulls Kit