Module 2
Lesson 1 - The First People, pages 42-49
Lesson 2 - Early Human Migration, pages 50-54
Lesson 3 - Beginnings of Agriculture, pages 55-58
Lesson 1 - The First People - pages 42-49
Write down 3 observations you have for each type of human as you look at each picture.
Homo Habilis
1. Not much hair
2. Similar face as Australopithecus
3. Smacking rocks
Homo Sapiens
1. He has clothes
2. Skinny
3. Less hairy
Homo Erectus
1. Looks more like humans now.
2. Skull is thinning out because brain is getting bigger
3. Taller
Australopithecus
1. His face is a monkey face.
2. He has fur.
3. Less than 5 foot.
Based on your observations and on what the different types of humans look like, write down what you think each type
of human might have been like when they were alive. Think about the kinds of jobs they did, the types of tools (if any)
they used, what they ate, etc.
A Homo Sapiens might have been
thinking about hunting and wearing
different types of clothes. They
might be having weapons with them
and not be aware of language much.
Lesson 1 - The First People - pages 42-49
VOCABULARY
1. Prehistory the time before writing
2. Hominid an early ancestor of humans
3. Ancestor a relative who lived in the past
4. Tool any handheld object that has been modified to help a person accomplish a task
5. Paleolithic Era the first part of the Stone Age; also known as the Old Stone Age
6. Society a community of people who share a common culture
7. Hunter-Gathers people who hunt animals and gather wild plants, seeds, fruits, and nuts to survive
As you read Lesson 1 on pages 42-49, list and describe four advances that early people made to help them have
an easier time surviving. Explain why each advance you have identified is important.
Advancement #1
Sharp tools that was made with rocks.
Why it is important: It was used to process food, cut, chop, or scrape
foods.
Advancement #2 Hand Ax
Why it is important: To break tree limbs, dig, and to cut animal hides
Advancement #3 Fire
Why it is important: Helps us understand heat.
Advancement #4 Society
Why it is important: Develop a community of people who share a common culture.
Complete after class discussion! Which of the advances that we discussed do you feel is the most important to humans?
Why do you feel that way?
Developing a society
because it helps us
identify culture and
people around us.
Types of Humans page 46 - For each type of human, write the meaning of the name and 2 facts about it.
Australopithecus Homo habilis
Meaning of Name: Southern Ape Meaning of Name: Handy man
Fact #1: Fact #1:
Appeared in Africa 4-5 million Used early stone tools for
years ago. chopping and scraping
Fact #2: Stood upright and walked on Fact #2:
Brain was half the size of
two legs. modern humans
Homo erectus Homo sapiens
Meaning of Name: Upright man Meaning of Name: Wise man
Fact #1: Fact #1:
Used early stone tools like Developed language
the hand ax
Fact #2: Fact #2:
Learned to control re
Same species as modern human beings.
Day in the life of a Hunter-Gatherer - After you read page 47-48 write a creative answer to the following question using at
least 3 facts from the textbook.
Boys: Write what you think a day in the life of a MALE Hunter-Gatherer would be like. Include job, tribal responsibilities,
anything you feel a Male in a Hunter-Gatherer society would be doing.
Girls: Write what you think a day in the life of a FEMALE Hunter-Gatherer would be like. Include job, tribal responsibilities,
anything you feel a FEMALE in a Hunter-Gatherer society would be doing.
A female hunter-gathered would probably be
responsible to cook and take care of kids,
household responsibilities.
Day in the life of a Hunter-Gatherer - continued
Modern or Ancient?
You Decide
