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

2. 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?

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

4. 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?

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

6. 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?

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

8. 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?

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

10. 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?

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

12. 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?

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

14. 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 OV M N T S O L I T C A S. C O N M I S O C I A L S.