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Big Era One: Landscape
Unit 1.2
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| Human Ancestors in Africa and
Beyond
7,000,000 - 200,000 Years Ago
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Why This Unit? |
This
unit sets the stage for the beginnings of the human story.
It is during the period from about 7,000,000 to 200,000
years ago that Homo sapiens, that is, the anatomically
modern human species, emerged in Africa among multiple
evolutionary lines of primates. It is during this period
that humans acquired distinctive features, notably large
brains relative to body mass, relatively small teeth and
chewing muscles, and the ability to walk upright, make
tools, and adapt to contrasting environments. The biological
underpinnings of other human characteristics also evolved,
especially the capacity for complex problem solving, symbolic
thought, and language, though none of these traits actually
appeared in Big Era One, as far as we know.
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| Unit Objectives |
Upon completing this unit, students
will be able to:
1. Construct a chronology showing
significant developments in the evolution of hominid
species and assess the significance of these developments.
2. Compare ways in which the main
ancestral groups related to Homo sapiens were similar
to and different from one another. Also, compare humankind
to its closest relatives among existing primates.
3. Describe evidence from which
scientists have gained knowledge about hominids, their
evolution, and their ways of life. Also, recognize
the tentativeness and changing character of this knowledge.
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Time and Materials |
The lesson in this unit can be taught in one to three
45-minute class periods. Time taken will depend on attention
to introductory activities and discussion questions,
assignment of homework, and use of assessments.
No special materials are needed other than copies of
the Student Handouts.
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Table of Contents |
Why This Unit? |
2 |
Unit Objectives |
2 |
Time and Materials |
2 |
Author |
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The Historical Context
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2 |
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This Unit in the Big Era Timeline |
6 |
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Lesson: Will the First Humans Please Stand Up?
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7 |
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This Unit and the Three Essential Questions
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15 |
This Unit and the Seven Key Themes |
15 |
This Unit and the Standards in Historical Thinking |
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Resources
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Correlations to National and State Standards and to Textbooks
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Conceptual Link to Other Teaching Units |
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Complete Teaching Unit in PDF Format |
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