GRADE 8
GEORGIA STUDIES GPS UNIT PLAN2
THEME: Georgia and Prehistoric Peoples
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
  • Power point slides
  • Graphic Organizer: Geography of Georgia
  • Map of Georgia

PLANS FOR ASSESSMENT 1: graphic organizers/Unit test/Unit Project
SKILL BUILDILNG TASKS
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: Students review elements of the location of Georgia
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
Instruction: 8/9/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s location: slides 1-11
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete first section of graphic organizer
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts

Question Out the Door: Which of the following correctly describes the location of Georgia?
A)Northern longitude and western latitude
B)Southern hemisphere and eastern latitude
C)North American continent and Western Hemisphere
D)North American continent and Eastern Hemisphere
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: Students review elements of the location of Georgia
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
Instruction: 8/12/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s location: slides 12-26
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete middle section of graphic organizer
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts

Question Out of the Door: Which geographic region of Georgia is located between the Coastal Plain and the mountains?
A)Fall line
B)Piedmont
C)Georgia Plateau
D)Ridge and Valley
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: 5 Regions Anchor Cards and Map
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
Instruction: 8/13/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s location: slides 12-26
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete last section of graphic organizer
  • Have students complete index cards for the 5 regions of Georgia
  • Have students begin Map activity of Georgia
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Which geographic region in Georgia has the largest population?
A)Appalachian Plateau
B)Blue Ridge
C)Piedmont
D)Coastal Plain
E)Ridge and Valley
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: Georgia Map and Physical Features Anchor Cards
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
Instruction: 8/14/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s location: slides 27-34
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete Georgia Map activity
  • Have students complete index cards for the 6 physical features of Georgia
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts

Question Out of the Door: Which river forms Georgia’s Western boundary?
A)Savannah River
B)Tallapoosa River
C)Chattahoochee River
D)Etowah River
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: Georgia Stories Video and Questions
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
Instruction: 8/15/13
  • Let students know they will have a map quiz on Tuesday
  • Have students watch Georgia stories Episode 101 – Geography and answer questions
  • Students will finish Anchor cards
  • Students will finish Map activity of Georgia
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Previewvideo questions before watching video
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Into which hemisphere does the prime meridian place Georgia?
A)Eastern hemisphere
B)Northern hemisphere
C)Southern hemisphere
D)Western hemisphere
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:How has the geography of Georgia affected its development?
TASK: Interactive Notebook Writing Activity
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
Instruction: 8/16/13
  • Remind students of Map quiz on Tuesday
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s location: slides 35-40
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete the interactive notebook writing activity in power point
  • Have students complete any missing or incomplete work
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: In what region is Jasper, Georgia found?
A)Appalachian Plateau
B)Blue Ridge
C)Piedmont
D)Coastal Plain
E)Ridge and Valley
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Georgia stories video and questions
Standards:
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/19/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s Prehistoric Peoples: slides 41-54
  • Activate background knowledge
  • View Georgia stories Episode 102 with students and have them answer questions on video
  • Remind students of map quiz tomorrow
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
  • Preview video questions before watching video
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Which of the following was at one time the inland shoreline of the prehistoric ocean and now represents the line that divides the Piedmont and the Coastal Plains?
A)Fall line
B)Physiographic Region
C)Barrier Islands
D)Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Map Quiz, Georgia stories and questions
Standards:
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/20/13
  • Students will complete Map quiz
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s Prehistoric Peoples: slides 55-69
  • Activate background knowledge
  • View Georgia stories Episode 103 and complete questions on video
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
  • Preview video questions before watching video
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Which of the following describes an area that is defined on the basis of similar physical characteristics?
A)Province Region
B)Physiographic Region
C)County Line
D)Nation
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Native American Anchor Cards
Standards:
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/21/13
  • Share PowerPoint providing background on Georgia’s Prehistoric Peoples: slides 70-79
  • Activate background knowledge
  • Have students complete Anchor Cards for Native Americans
  • Have students complete interactive notebook activity on slide 77
  • Have students explain in their notebooks 3 ways that all Native American cultures are similar
  • Let students know that there will be a Unit 2 Test on Friday
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Provide PowerPoint notes up front, prepping students on new information they are inexperienced with
  • Frontloading new terms, historical contexts
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams

Question Out of the Door: Which word is used to describe the average weather conditions for a region over a long period of time?
A)erosion
B)climate
C)weather
D)precipitation
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Study Guide Review
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/22/13
  • Students will finish Unit 2 Anchor Cards
  • Students will complete a unit study guide
  • Remind students of the Unit 2 Test tomorrow
.
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams

Question Out of the Door: Which word is used to describe a person who uses artifacts to learn about the past?
A)Geographer
B)Archaeologist
C)Sociologist
D)Psychologist
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Test Review and Test
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/23/13
  • Review Study Guide with students before the test
  • Have students complete Unit 2 Test
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to take a modified test
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Which of the following regions means “foot of the mountain”?
A)Piedmont
B)Coastal Plain
C)Ridge and Valley
D)Appalachian Plateau
E)Blue Ridge
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Prehistoric Culture Timeline or Comic Strip Activity
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/26/13
  • Students will review and research the Prehistoric Cultures and make a timeline and answer questions about each culture
  • Students could complete the Comic Strip Activity of the Prehistoric Cultures
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: What is the name of the ice bridge that connected Asia and North America?
A)Bering Strait
B)Rock of Gibraltar
C)Cape of Good Hope
D)Beringia
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Clay Pot Project
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/27/13
  • Students will paint a Clay Pot depicting a prehistoric Indian time period as a cumulating task for Unit 2
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams

Question Out of the Door: What region is in the mountainous area of NE Georgia?
A)Blue Ridge
B)Piedmont
C)Coastal Plain
D)Appalachian Plateau
E)Ridge and Valley
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Clay Pot Project
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/28/13
  • Students will reassemble a Clay Pot determining which prehistoric Indian time period is represented as a cumulating task for Unit 2
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams

Question Out of the Door: What of the following would an archaeologist use to determine the age of an artifact?
A)Blood test
B)Metal detector
C)Carbon 14 Test
D)Microwave
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Clay Pot Project
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/29/13
  • Students will complete an analysis sheet about the piece of pottery
  • Students will discuss what clues were used to analyze the clay pot and the prehistoric culture discovered
Differentiation Option(s):
  • Allow students to work in stations/pairs/teams
*Assessment Opportunity
Question Out of the Door: Which group of Indians had “chiefdoms” as part of the social hierarchy?
A)Paleo
B)Archaic
C)Woodland
D)Mississippian
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What impact did environment have on the development of prehistoric Native American cultures?
TASK: Georgia Barrier Island Activity
Standards:
SS8G1-The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
SS8G1a – Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
SS8G1b – Describe the 5 geographic regions of Georgia. Include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
SS8G1c – Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features in the development of Georgia. Include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee, and Savannah Rivers, and Barrier Islands
SS8G1d – Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development
SS8H1 – The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia
SS8H1a – Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact
Instruction: 8/30/13
  • Students will complete the Georgia Barrier Islands Computer Lab Activity

Question Out of the Door: The Paleo period Indians in Georgia were nomadic, which means they were wanderers who…
A)Practiced the Nomadic religion
B)Moved frequently in search of food
C)Came to this region from Nomad Peninsula
D)Stayed in Georgia and built large settlements around 10,000 B.C.

Georgia Department of Education