The following chart provides an outline of Unit One:
Major Concept
time
Related Concepts
timeline, cyclical time, linear time, historical time B.C., A.D., ancient
civilizations, culture, technology
Topics
Topic One: Roots
Topic Two: Measuring Time
Topic Three: Measuring Time Historically
Topic Four: Learning About Our Historical Roots
Topic Five: Ancient Roots of Canadian Society
Topic Six: Technological Developments Over Time
Topic Seven: Cultural Perceptions of Time
Glossary of Terms
The following definitions are as much for the teacher as they are for students. It is up to individual teachers to decide which of the following terms to present to students. Teachers should base this decision upon students' prior knowledge about the concepts and content of the topic.
Ancient civilizations Groups of people of the past who had a highly developed technology and culture.
Archaeology The study of the past through analysis and dating of artifacts found at historical sites.
Artifacts Material items that can be connected to a particular culture, at a particular time in history. Artifacts provide data about the past.
Cyclical Time Measuring time according to natural phenomena such as the Earth's rotation and positions of the sun and the moon. Measuring according to cycles reflects an attempt to live in harmony with nature.
Culture The civilization of a given people at or over a given time. It is described by its customs, arts and technologies, and by the way the people live and work.
Linear Time Time measured according to units (e.g., hour, day, year, decade, century). It is the way that most societies measure time at the personal level, the historical level and the geological level.
Oral Traditions One way that cultures keep their histories alive by passing it along through oral stories from one generation to the next (e.g., myths, legends).
Technology All the tools used and invented by people, and the skills needed to produce and use these tools.
Time Identifies a measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues to exist. It is described in terms of periods of time (e.g., age, epoch, era, years) or in precise dates.
Timeline A means of showing, in chronological order, the important people, events and ideas that identify a particular time and place.
Resources
All units are resource-based; teachers and students are encouraged to use a variety of resources and sources throughout. The accompanying bibliography contains annotations of current, useful resources including print, video, Internet sites and other media selections. Teachers are encouraged to assess their current resource collection, identifying those that are still useful, and to acquire small quantities of each title, rather than class sets, in order to provide students with a broad range of perspectives and information. The annotations in the bibliography will assist teachers in making resource selections appropriate to the abilities and needs of the students.
The following list of resource titles provides a starting point for developing a Unit One resource collection that is current and relevant, and that addresses students' various learning styles and abilities.
Print Resources
The Ancients
Atlas of the Classical World: Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt
Kingfisher Book of the Ancient World
Legacies Series
Medieval Times to Today
The Medievals
Pathways: Civilizations Through Time
Roots of Society (previously listed resource, out-of-print but
still useful)
World Civilizations: A comparative Study
The following print resources are listed for Middle Level English Language Arts (grades 6-9) and offer opportunities for interdisciplinary instruction.
The Beduin's Gazelle
Catherine, Called Birdy
The Forestwife
The Ramsay Scallop
Non-print Resources
The Ancient World - World Video Explorer Series (video)
Roots of Society - (kit - previously listed resource, out-of-production
but still useful)
Saskatchewan Archaeological Society (kits and human resources)
- Saskatoon, SK
Internet Sites
Teachers are advised to check the bibliography for Internet site addresses that support this unit. As well, many general interest sites are listed in Social Studies: An Information Bulletin for the Renewed Middle Level Curricula (Grades 7-9), March 1999, pp. 19-20. Due to the unstable nature of Internet sites, teachers are advised to access Saskatchewan Education's Web Site at http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/curr inst/social/socialsciences.html for the most current listings. See pages 378-381 in this curriculum guide for information about locating and evaluating Internet sites.
Incorporating Current Events
Incorporating current events enhances students' understanding of the concepts under study and extends their learning experiences by relating the events to real life and making them relevant. Sources for current event stories include newspapers, news magazines, daily and weekly television and radio newscasts and documentaries, and the Internet. Many Canadian daily newspapers are available on-line and are a reliable source of current events. Select articles and news items to support the objectives and concepts as often as possible, and encourage students to contribute also. See pages 346-350 in this curriculum guide for some current event activities.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities
This unit may be adapted for interdisciplinary study. See page 336 in this curriculum guide for information about developing interdisciplinary units of study. The following are some suggestions: