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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Recording the changing seasons in ancient times

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/17/g68/hawaii.html

A lesson plan for grade 6 Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore Stonehenge and read some ancient myths and stories explaining the seasons. They’ll pretend to be historians and use Web sites to find information about how ancient cultures kept track of and celebrated the seasons.

Students will:

  • describe some of the ways in which we acknowledge the changing of the seasons;
  • research and take notes on the possible significance of Stonehenge with regard to the passing of the seasons;
  • investigate ancient myths and stories to see how these stories explained or acknowledged the seasons; and
  • create posters or reports illustrating how these ancient cultures explained the seasons and explaining whether our culture has any similar traditions or beliefs related to the seasons.

Xpeditions provides links to helpful web resources, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 6

  • Goal 1: The learner will use the five themes of geography and geographic tools to answer geographic questions and analyze geographic concepts.
    • Objective 1.02: Generate, interpret, and manipulate information from tools such as maps, globes,charts, graphs, databases, and models to pose and answer questions about space and place, environment and society, and spatial dynamics and connections.
  • Goal 2: The learner will assess the relationship between physical environment and cultural characteristics of selected societies and regions of South America and Europe.
    • Objective 2.01: Identify key physical characteristics such as land forms, water forms, and climate,and evaluate their influence on the development of cultures in selected South American and European regions.
    • Objective 2.03: Examine factors such as climate change, location of resources, and environmental challenges that influence human migration and assess their significance in the development of selected cultures in South America and Europe.
  • Goal 3: The learner will analyze the impact of interactions between humans and their physical environments in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 3.03: Examine the development and use of tools and technologies and assess their influence on the human ability to use, modify, or adapt to their environment.
  • Goal 8: The learner will assess the influence and contributions of individuals and cultural groups in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 8.02: Describe the role of key groups and evaluate their impact on historical and contemporary societies of South America and Europe.
    • Objective 8.03: Identify major discoveries, innovations, and inventions, and assess their influence on societies past and present.