Civilized vs. Primitive

Activity 1: Quickwrite: Civilized....

Students will write for 3-5 minutes about what they think Civilized means and what associations they have with the term. Then students can share out with the class. Make sure to review the word primitive as well to help students with the next activity.

Activity 2: Barometer Activity

Create a line from one point in the classroom to another on one end write the word "Civilized" on the other "Primitive". Then read from the following statements and ask students to take a stand on where they think the description puts a society, closer to the category of civilized or primitive and anywhere in between. Once students have taken a stand, you can ask them to defend their stance. Inform students that they are also free to change their minds and move as they hear arguments made by other students. This activity tends to spark some excellent remarks and debate.

1. The ability to make sophisticated homes and other complex structures.

2. Ability to travel great distances using a sophisticated understanding of the stars, tides, and other natural wonders.

3. Ability to control the environment. (For example, the ability to change the course of rivers, irrigate crops, domesticate animals, or control the movements of herds of animals.)

4. Have a high rate of literacy.

5. Have a large level of respect for the elders in their society.

6. Use warfare for a narrowly specified purpose.

7. Use the natural resources available within the environment well and wisely.

8. Know their history well and have a sophisticated way of transmitting that knowledge to their children.

9. Have great knowledge of disease and how to cure many diseases.

10. Have the ability to complete sophisticated surgeries, even possibly performing brain surgery without an anesthetic.

11. Create great works of art and as a society honor those great works of art. 12. Create elaborate economic trading networks that cross an entire continent.