Grade 4 Social studies - Early Societies (3000 BCE–1500 CE)
Overview
During this unit, students will develop their understanding of how we study the past, as they use various methods to examine social organization, daily life, and the relationship with the environment in different societies that existed between 3000 BCE and 1500 CE. Students will build on what they have learned in earlier grades, using visual evidence, primary and secondary sources, and thematic maps to investigate a number of early societies from different regions and eras and representing different cultures. Students will investigate the interrelationship between daily life and the environment in these societies and will compare aspects of life in these societies with aspects of life in present-day Canada.
During this unit, students will develop their understanding of how we study the past, as they use various methods to examine social organization, daily life, and the relationship with the environment in different societies that existed between 3000 BCE and 1500 CE. Students will build on what they have learned in earlier grades, using visual evidence, primary and secondary sources, and thematic maps to investigate a number of early societies from different regions and eras and representing different cultures. Students will investigate the interrelationship between daily life and the environment in these societies and will compare aspects of life in these societies with aspects of life in present-day Canada.
Big Ideas
- How can we better understand the present by studying the past?
- What impact did the environment have on daily life in early societies?
- What are the similarities and differences among early societies?
Framing Questions
- What methods can we use to compare societies from different eras and regions?
- What are the most significant differences between Canadian society and societies of the past?
- What are the most significant differences among early societies?
- In what ways did the environment influence early societies? Does the environment have the same impact on Canadian society? What has changed? Why has it changed?
There are MANY ancient Societies... Here are a few that might interest you
Click the picture for more information. Remember to use SEVERAL different sources when gathering information. Do not rely on only one or two sources. At this stage of our development, books from the library on your topic are a better option than random Google searches. If you are researching online, start your journey at the TDSB Virtual Library.
