LESSON 1- Introductions to Societies
Subject(s): Social
Topic or Unit of Study: Relationships with the land
Grade/Level: 9
Outcomes:
Outcome: DR9.3Assess the relationship of the natural environment in the development of a
society.
Indicators:
a.
Explain the influence of the major water systems, the topography, and the climate on the ways
of life and worldviews in the societies studied.
b.
Connect the characteristics of the natural environment with the settlement and movement of
people in the societies studied.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Instructional Materials: powerpoint
Resources:
IMPLEMENTATION
Set: get student’s pre requisite knowledge surrounding societies
Procedure/Sequence of Activities:

Introduction to societies
What makes societies unique?
Clothing
Art
Music
Climate
Resources
Land/ geography

Powerpoint
o Different societies
 Why did each one of these societies move to or stay in a certain
geographic location- past civilizations- use the greeks/
romans/mayans/ English settlers
o Why do people move to certain places?
o The 3 G’s god glory goods
o Why did people move to Canada?
Closure:

Exit slip- ask students know what learn- and suggestions for the social class
and unit
Differentiated Instruction: powerpoint/ possible video
Time Allotment: 1hour
Assessment/Rubric:
REFLECTION
Mayan geography
The ancient Maya civilization occupied the eastern third of Mesoamerica,
primarily the Yucatan Peninsula. The topography (mayan geography) of the
area greatly varied from volcanic mountains, which comprised the highlands in
the South, to a porous limestone shelf, known as the Lowlands, in the central and
northern regions. The southern portion of the Lowlands were covered by a rain
forest with an average height of about 150 feet.
Scattered savannas and swamps, or bajos, appeared sporadically, interrupting
the dense forests. The northern Lowlands were also comprised of forests but they
were drier than their southern counterparts, mainly growing small thorny trees.
February to May was the dry season characterized by air that was intensely hot
and uncomfortable.
At this time of year, the fields had recently been cut and had to be burned in
accordance with their slash and burn form of agriculture. The skies filled with a
smoky grit, making the air even more unbearable until the rains came in late
May to clear the murky atmosphere.
Many dangerous animals occupied this region of the mayan geography
including the jaguar, the caiman (a fierce crocodile), the bull shark, and many
species of poisonous snakes. These animals had to be avoided as the Maya
scavenged the forest for foods including deer turkey, peccaries, tapirs, rabbits,
and large rodents such as the peca and the agouti.
Many varieties of monkeys and quetzal also occupied the upper canopy. The
climate of the Highlands greatly contrasted with that of the Lowlands as it was
much cooler and drier.
Both the Highlands and the Lowlands were important to the presence of trade
within the Mayan civilization. The lowlands of mayan geography primarily
produced crops which were used for their own personal consumption, the
principle cultigen being maize. They also grew squash, beans, chili peppers,
amaranth, manioc, cacao, cotton for light cloth, and sisal for heavy cloth and
rope.
The volcanic highlands, however, were the source of obsidian, jade, and other
precious metals like cinnabar and hematite that the Mayans used to develop a
lively trade. Although the lowlands were not the source of any of these
commodities, they still played an important role as the origin of the
transportation routes.
The rainfall was as high as 160 inches per year in the Lowlands and the water
that collected drained towards the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico in great
river systems. These rivers, of which the Usumacinta and the Grijalva were of
primary importance, were vital to the civilization as the form of transportation for
both people and materials.
Egypt Geography
The ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being
divided into two types of land, the 'black land' and the
'red land'.
The 'black land' was the
fertile land on the banks of
the Nile. The ancient
Egyptians used this land
for growing their crops.
This was the only land in
ancient Egypt that could
be farmed because a layer of rich, black silt was
deposited there every year after the Nile flooded.
The 'red land' was the barren desert that protected
Egypt on two sides. These deserts separated ancient
Egypt from neighbouring countries and invading armies.
They also provided the ancient Egyptians with a source
for precious metals and semi-precious stones.