Unit 2 - Lesson 5: The Paleolithic Age

Big Ideas of the Lesson

Historians use information from a variety of non-textual sources, including existing societies,
to study the era of foragers.
Artifacts such as tools and art help us understand some characteristics of Paleolithic
societies.
The behaviors of modern foraging societies can help us understand what life was like in the
Paleolithic Age.
The quality of life for foragers was dependent on environmental factors like climate,
vegetation, and available game for hunting.

Lesson Abstract
In this lesson, students examine Paleolithic artifacts and contemplate what can be
learned about human activity during this age while considering the difficulties social
scientists face in studying the Paleolithic Age. Using a text in the middle reading,
students will study how anthropologists use modern foragers to help them understand
early humans. Finally, they investigate examples of how environmental factors affect
lifeways with a specific focus on Paleolithic dwellings, comparing and contrasting two
forms of shelter.
Content Expectations1: 7 - H.1.2.1
Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies: RH.6-8.2, 4,
and 10; WHST.6-8.9 and 10
Key Concepts
adaptation
evidence
foraging
Paleolithic Era

1 The language of the content expectations and common core standards can be found in the Reference
Section at the end of the lesson.