Types of Megafauna in Early Civilization

Early Humans Megafauna

Activity Overview

During the time of early humans, there were fascinating animals that are now extinct like ground sloths, mammoths and saber toothed tigers. In this activity, students will create a spider map that describes and illustrates extinct megafauna. As an extension activity, students can research the modern day relatives of these great creatures, and describe how we interact with them now.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RH/9-10/3] Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
[ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/1] Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
[ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/7] Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
[ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/9] Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
[ELA-LITERACY/WHST/6-8/2/B] Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Create a spider map describing 3 different animals that lived during the time of early humans. Using school resources, conduct some research to learn more about ground sloths, mammoths, saber toothed tigers or other extinct megafauna.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Create a 3 cell spider map with a header that names each animal, a caption that describes the animal and an illustration using appropriate scenes, animals and items. To find images that relate to Paleolithic times type “Early humans” or “Paleolithic”.
Save and submit your storyboard.

Requirements: 3 animals, 3 illustrations, 3 captions.

3 Cell Spider Map