1. Essential Question: Is your geography your destiny? Lesson #8
Unit 1: Geography
Essential Question: Is your geography your destiny?
Lesson #8

2. Warm-up Journal: Full sentences for full credit
According to your knowledge and experience, what does an ideal civilization look like?

3. Reading & Discussion
Read short story about a “utopia” where everyone is equal – “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
“Harrison Bergeron”
Journal:
Is this an ideal civilization? Why?
Would you want to live in this civilization? Why or why not?
Discuss: what does an idea civilization look like? Is there a global “ideal” civilization? Can everyone agree on what would it look like?

4. Civilization Variable Game Project
Civilization Game in variables
Objective: Have your civilization succeed through history.
As a group, you are creating a civilization.
You want your civilization to be successful, so you will have to choose three variables (resources/conditions) you think will be the most important in changing human history so that your civilization is successful.
Example: My civilization has cattle, steel and rice
Example: My civilization has small pox, writing and pigs
Individually, write three short paragraphs about how each of the three variables (resources/conditions) is important and how it will impact the development/success of your civilization.

5. Reflection*
PREDICT: Do you think a resource (mineral, animal, plant, etc.) or a condition (weather, climate, landforms, waterforms, etc.) will be more important in determining/deciding the success of your civilization?

6. Homework*
Brainstorm (and research) what variables would be the BEST to make your civilization the most SUCCESSFUL
Use website: x.html

7. Warm-up*
Journal: Full sentences for full credit
Which ONE variable do you think is the most important to ensure the success of a civilization? Why?

8. Whose civilization will end up lasting and why?
PROJECT WORK TIME
Work with the group to fill out the planning worksheet and choose your three variables.
Work individually to write your three paragraphs
One paragraph to explain the importance of variable #1
One paragraph to explain the importance of variable #2
One paragraph to explain the importance of variable #3

9. Reflection
Journal: Full sentences for full credit
In creating your civilization, were the environmental factors or the human forces more influential/important?

10. Homework
Work on your individual (three) paragraphs about how each of the three variables (resources/conditions) is important and how it will impact the development/success of your civilization.
Reminder: one paragraph to explain the importance of each variable (three total)
5-10 sentences per paragraph