1. 1. You will work in groups of 3 or 4 2. This is a five step activity designed to introduce important concepts in the social sciences 3. We will discuss each step as we go along 4. This is also an important first step in creating a collaborative and interactive classroom 5. For the instructor, it will be a fun way to see all your unique talents in the first days of class CREATE YOUR OWN TOWN

2. 1. As a group; discuss and identify 12 important groups of workers you will include in your town. These workers can include any types of fields or occupations. (For example: medical professionals, culinary specialists, etc.) 2. On a piece of paper, each member of your group should number 1 through 12 and list these workers 3. Make sure your name is on the top - right of the paper 4. Pick a member of your group to speak on who you chose and why PART #1 – YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETE

3. How did your group decide which types of workers you wanted to be a part of your village? Did you have any difficulty in your decision? How did you use prior knowledge to decide? PART #1 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

4. 1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events. 4. the record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race. 6. acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future; immediate but significant happenings http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/history HISTORY

5. Is the story of how we got to this point in time (national borders, spread of culture) History and our understanding of the past helps individuals and groups better able to make decisions that will impact the future History helps knowledge grow (technology, discoveries) “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” HISTORY

6. Each member of your group must add roads, buildings and resources to your map You may have a total of 6 special buildings (for example a hospital or school) You may include a total of 6 special resources (for example gold or trees) These buildings and resources must be clearly labeled on your maps You must include roads and houses for individual families Identify a person who will talk about your map PART #2 MAKE A MAP OF YOUR TOWN – YOU HAVE 25 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THIS TASK

7. How did you chose which resources and buildings you wanted to include in your town? How did you plan where to place all your roads, structures, and resources? What issues arose with several people all working on the same map and trying to keep everything organized? / PART #2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

8. 1. the science dealing with the areal differentiation of the earth's surface, as shown in the character, arrangement, and interrelations over the world of such elements as climate, elevation, soil, vegetation, population, land use, industries, or states, and of the unit areas formed by the complex of these individual elements. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/geography The science dealing with earth’s surface and the interactions between the natural world and human societies. GEO – EARTH GRAPHY – TO WRITE ABOUT OR DESCRIBE GEOGRAPHY

9. Helps individuals understand how the natural world functions and changes over time Helps identify how the natural world influences human civilizations as well as how human development impacts the environment Uses maps and charts as tools to communicate concepts and accurately locate earth’s features GEOGRAPHY