G.R.A.P.E.S. The big ideas of social studies

G Geography How climate and landscape affect lifestyle. Is a civilization isolated due to surrounding landforms? What resources are available for clothing, building, and trade?

Example: Geography Civilizations began along rivers like the Nile because they provided the water needed for irrigation and a means of transportation.

R Religion Society’s beliefs about morals and the afterlife. Is a culture polytheistic or monotheistic? What are the rules one should live by? How do these religious ideas affect different aspects of daily life?

Example: Religion The Ten Commandments are religious rules that God gave to the ancient Hebrews.

A Achievements The lasting works of a society. What art and architecture did they produce? Which ideas and innovations, if any, still affect our lives today?

Example: Achievements Millions of people still visit the pyramids in Egypt every year.

P Political system Who runs a society, and how do they do it? Who has power, and how is it used? How do those with power keep it or lose it? Is the government a monarchy, oligarchy, theocracy, or democracy?

Example: Political system A limited form of democracy was practiced in Athens.

E Economics How a society uses its scarce resources. What are the most valuable resources in a society? How are these resources distributed? Does the civilization have a Traditional, Command, Market, or Mixed economy?

Example: Economics When the Lydians developed coins they allowed for the replacement of the traditional (barter) system with a more market-oriented system

S Social structure The different levels or classes in a society. Who are the “most important” people in society? What do they do? Who’s at the bottom of the social order? Why?

Example: social structure Indian society was divided into a rigid caste system.

G.R.A.P.E.S. E O G R A P H Y E L I G O N C O N M I S O C I A L S. C O V M N T S O L I T C A S. C O N M I S O C I A L S.