Welcome to 8th grade Social Studies

Mr. Crossman

The Five Social Studies

1. History

Def. The study of past events

Ex: World War II Ex:

Ex: Democracy in Greece

Ex:

2. Geography

Def. The study of the earth

Ex: Formation of Climates (Biomes)

Ex:

Ex: Deserts Ex:

3. Sociology

Def. The study of human interactionEx: Foreign Relations Ex:

Ex: Teacher to Student Ex:

4. Economics

Def. Knowledge about the exchange of goodsEx: Trading System Ex:

Ex: Valuable goods/services

Ex:

5. Political Science

Def. Knowledge of how human order themselvesEx: Dictatorship Ex:

Ex: Representative Government

Ex:

Examining SourcesWhy is it important to examine sources?

Fact, Reasoned Judgments, Opinions

Examining Sources

Fact – statements that can be proven (proof)Clues - Observations, written records, fossils, etc.

Reasoned Judgment – based on fact but has not been proven

Clues - Probably, reasonably, possibly, perhaps, etc.

Opinion – statement of personal preferenceClues - Think, feel, etc.

Timelines

There is no year 0 !

Uniform way of measuring the past

to the right of year 1

Before Christ = B.C.

Before Common Era = B.C.E.

to the left of year 1

A.D. = Anno Domini

C.E. = Common Era

400 300 200 100 1100 200 300 400B.C.E. B.C.E. B.C.E. B.C.E. C.E. C.E. C.E.

C.E. C.E.How to calculate centuries:

Find the number of hundred and add 1 (don’t forget your labels)Ex: 356 C.E. = 3 + 1 = 4th Century C.E. 1423 B.C.E. = 14 + 1 = 15th Century B.C.E. 92 C.E. = 0 + 1 = 1st Century C.E.

Distance between years:Same side of year 1 Subtract the # of years ex: 400 B.C.E. to 150 B.C.E.

400 – 150 = 250 yearsOpposite side of year 1 Add the # of years ex: 100B.C.E. to 200 C.E.

100 + 200 = 300 years

Chapter 2Introduction: #1 Australopithecus afarensis

Time periodDescription (height, places lived, physical traits)1 key vocab. term2 capabilities of your hominid

#2 Homo habilisTime periodDescription (height, places lived, physical traits)1 key vocab. term2 capabilities of your hominid

#3 Homo erectusTime periodDescription (height, places lived, physical traits)1 key vocab. term2 capabilities of your hominid

#4 Homo sapiens neanderthalensis Time periodDescription (height, places lived, physical traits)1 key vocab. term2 capabilities of your hominid

#5 Homo sapiens sapiensTime periodDescription (height, places lived, physical traits)1 key vocab. term2 capabilities of your hominid

Chapter 2Introduction: #1 Australopithecus afarensis

Bipedal – walked on 2 legs

#2 Homo habilis

Simple tools – Bone/Stone

#3 Homo erectus

Used Fire

#4 Homo sapiens neanderthalensis

Community – cared for each other and buried the dead

#5 Homo sapiens sapiens

Artwork/Culture

Paleolithic Age

Means: Old Stone Age

Strongest tools: Stone

Pre-history – The time before writing

About 2 million B.C.E. to 8000 B.C.E.

Early Hominids and Humans

Neolithic AgeMeans: New Stone Age

Strongest tools: Stone

During Pre-history

About 8000 B.C.E. to 3000 B.C.E.

Agriculture – farming and domestication of animals

People began to settle in one place

Stable LifestyleAvoid hunting dangers

Discovery and spread of seeds = growing plants

Stable life allowed permanent homes

Houses had rooms for specific purposes

Permanent Dwellings

Communities GrowVillages of up to 200 people

Population growth

Safety in numbers

Roles in CommunityJob specialization – individuals work in one area

Workers are more skilled

Develops better: pottery, clothing, homes, jewelry, etc.

Trade IncreasesDesire for a better quality of life

Humans seek resources from elsewhere

Ideas and knowledge spread

Civilizations BeginHumans Build First Cities