Grade 7 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 15, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Across the Centuries

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 15, Lesson 2: The Olmec (pp. 400-403)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Culture One of the first American civilizations, the Olmec of southeastern Mexico, developed the class system, rituals, and networks of trade that are features of a complex society.

Remind students about early civilizations they have already studied, such as ancient Egypt. Then tell them that one of the first American civilizations, the Olmec, shared some features with ancient Egypt. Remind students that the ancient Egyptians had a class system, rituals, and networks of trade. Then explain how the Olmec of Mexico also developed these important features, though in their own unique way. Show students a world map and ask what sort of geographical conditions might help account for similarities and differences between the two cultures.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Have students write a summary of the lesson. Summaries should include information about where the Olmec lived and how they adapted to their environment. They should also describe the Olmec class system, religious beliefs, trading networks, and reasons for the civilization's decline.
Divide students into groups. Ask each group to consider themselves "elite" Olmec who have been given the task of designing and overseeing the construction of a giant 8-foot-tall head in the classroom. Ask students to come up with a plan for gathering materials, bringing them to the classroom, directing workers, and designing and creating a head. One student in each group should act as a scribe and write up the plan as the group works it out.

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