Organizing Learning: Which Graphic Organizer?
Read the article below. Using what you have learned about
graphic organizers, identify which graphic organizer
(or adapt/create a graphic organizer) that illustrates key
points from the article.
Archaeologists on opposite sides of the world have just put out press releases about
their latest finds, the excavations of two civilizations that evidently existed
simultaneously.
In the western hemisphere, they found ruins from a group called the Nacirema and
have been able to learn much from artifacts there. The Nacirema seemed to have many
different ways and places of worshipping their gods, but many actions seemed
contradictory to the religions; while their gods taught them to treat other members of the
tribe with respect, they were extremely violent and often killed or wounded each other to
take articles of clothing, small pieces of paper which they evidently collected, or certain
potions or powders. The Nacirema were a very heterogeneous tribe, obviously very
independent minded and could choose their own degree of education, career, home,
and mates. Overall, they were very wealthy compared to other civilizations, but there
were many different levels of wealth and comfort, and some outcasts from the tribe had
no homes at all. It appears that wealth was built sometimes through inheritance and
sometimes through personal motivation.
Personal beauty was of great importance, with both women and men scraping parts of
their bodies with blades, puncturing their skin to apply jewelry, and applying a variety of
oils and dyes. Most family units had large collections of mechanical and high technology
gadgets. Dietary habits varied but for most of the Nacirema food was plentiful; favorites
seemed to be raw meats and seafood often cooked outside over open fires, large flat
round breads with meats laid on top, and a variety of foods thrust into boiling oil before
eating.
© 2013 LEARNING-FOCUSED. All Rights Reserved.
In the eastern hemisphere, ruins of the Noinuteivos civilization have also given
scientists many artifacts and clues about life there. Much more emphasis was placed on
worship of the tribe’s leaders than on other gods, and it has been rare that any ruins
have been found of places of worship. This may have been because the leaders of the
tribe appeared to take care of most of the needs of the people and left few decisions to
individuals to have to make. A vast majority of the Noinuteivos were homogeneous, of a
lower social and economic class, and had much in common with each other. They were
evidently allotted specific amounts of material goods per person over a specific period
of time. They did not have to make many decisions for themselves about education or
careers and were for the most part content to stay at the same level as their parents
and grandparents.
Most interestingly, the civilizations of the Nacirema and the Noinuteivos obviously knew
about each other and for some reason considered each other dreaded enemies. While
no evidence has been found that they attempted to find common ground for trade or
friendship, and no obvious reasons for their fears and hatred have been found, both
civilizations kept secret watch and weapons on each other for years because of their
mistrust. Much more research must be done to understand more about these two
civilizations.
© 2013 LEARNING-FOCUSED. All Rights Reserved.
In the space below, diagram and complete a graphic organizer that illustrates the
concepts and ideas from the article based on how to think about the content
and/or based on how to comprehend the content.
© 2013 LEARNING-FOCUSED. All Rights Reserved.