Populating the Earth

Populating the EarthSocial StudiesChapter 1Section 3

StandardsH-SS 6.1.2 Identify the locations of human communities that populated the major regions of the world and describe how humans adapted to a variety of environments.E-LA Reading 6.2.1 Identify the structural features of popular media (e.g. newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information.Anticipatory Set

ObjectiveTo learn how humans populated the major regions of the world.To learn how people adapted to new environments and to climate change.InputKey Terms of this ChapterPopulateMigrationEnvironmentAdaptInputOver thousands of years humans spread out to populate, or become inhabitants of every region of the world.Most scientists agree Homo sapiens walked the Earth for only about 100,000 years.They do not agree with where modern humans came from or how the spread around the world.Scientists continue to study both fossils and genetic information, or the qualities one generation passes from one to the next.InputThe scientists that believe Homo sapiens originated in Africa argue that from there they began a long migration to other regions of the world.MigrationThe movement of people from their homeland to other places.Other scientists disagree. They believed that large-brained groups of humans originated from all over the world.They believe that these different groups mixed together and eventually became one group, the Homo sapiens.InputWherever they originated from, about 30,000 years ago the modern humans were in AfricaAsiaEuropeAustralia12,500 years ago they reached North and South America.

InputAdapting to Varied EnvironmentsAs modern humans migrated, they settled in various environments, or surroundings.Each environment had its own climate, plants, and animals.With each move, the people had to adapt, or change their way of life.They had to figure out what plants they could eat, how to hunt different animals, and how to find new materials for tools and shelters.InputA Changing ClimatePeople had to also adapt to the changes in the Earths climate.Over the past two million years there were four long ice ages. The last one was 70,000 years ago before the modern humans appeared.During this age thick sheets of ice called glaciers spread across the Earth.Glaciers covered the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Parts of the Southern Hemisphere were also under ice.InputSince the Earths water was in the form of glaciers, rainfall decreased.Areas that once had water became deserts.Sea levels dropped exposing land bridgesThese changes allowed animals to migrate to find food.Since people depended on those animals for food, they had to follow them.

InputStaying WarmIce Age hunter-gatherers adapted to climate in many ways.As winters became longer they learned to use whatever materials they could find to build warm shelters.Eastern EuropeBuilt huts out of mammoth bones (mammoths were huge furry elephants)The huts were covered with animal skins to keep out wind and snow.InputPeople also used bone needles to sew snug clothing from animal skins and furs.They also kept fires burning in their hearths day and night.Forming Larger CommunitiesSome groups adapted by forming large communities.Hunters could work together to kill animals such as mammoths.They could better defend their communities from attack.

InputDeveloping Complex CulturesOver the years communities became more complex (having many parts to connect with each other).EuropeProduced early examples of arts.Painted walls and ceiling of caves in present-day Spain and FranceMeanings of these painting are not known, they might have painted things such as animals to give them power over that animal while hunting.InputCarved small statues of animals and pregnant women.May have been created to bring luck to hunters or women about to give birth.Burials also became more complexA grave found in present-day Russia had bodies of two children, a boy (13 years old), and a girl (8 years old).Both children were covered with thousands of ivory beads.The boy wore a ivory pendant looking like a mammoth on his chest.The girl wore a bead cap and ivory pin around her throat.InputOverall these discoveries suggest:Modern humans may have been trying to explain mysteries such as birth and death.They may have developed ideas about powerful beings that humans could not see.Their beliefs would represent the beginnings of religion.Check for Understanding1. In which regions did modern humans appear?A. EuropeB. AsiaC. North AmericaD. All of the continents.AnswerDCheck for Understanding2. Populate means toA. SpreadB. Come togetherC. Become inhabitantsD. Number of peopleAnswerCCheck for Understanding3. How did the people adapt to the changing conditions of the last Ice Age?A. Hunt for mammoth.B. Use mammoth for food, clothing, and shelter.C. Form large groups for hunt, trade, and defense.D. All of the above.AnswerDCheck for Understanding4. What is one way in which the culture of the Ice Age people grew more complex?A. The painted the walls and ceilings of caves.B. They began to hunt.C. They became friends with the mammoths.D. None of the above.AnswerAGuided Practice & Independent PracticeCheck Your Progress pg. 23#1 both a) and b)Complete sentences.When done place pencil in the airIf Ms. Graham gives you a stamp, move onto Independent Practice.Independent Practice#3 and #4Complete Sentences.Placed finished work on the top tray in the back of the room.Bonanza (History)Various ArtistsTV Theme SongsiTunes 10.6.3