Free 2nd Grade Prehistoria Lesson Plan

Topic: How people in Prehistory lived: stages and discoveries

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the different stages of Prehistory and the major discoveries that helped us understand how people lived in that time.

Materials

• Pictures of fossils, artifacts, and tools from Prehistory
• Handouts with information about different stages of Prehistory
• Drawing paper and pencils/crayons for the class activity

Warm-up

• Ask the students if they have ever heard of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. Have them raise their hand if they know what these terms mean.
• Ask the students if they know what life was like during these times. What did people do and how did they live?
• Write their answers on the board.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that during the Paleolithic period, which lasted from about 2 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago, people's lives were very difficult. They had to hunt for food and shelter and had no tools or technology to help them.
• Show pictures of cavemen and women from this time and talk about their lives.
• During the Mesolithic period, which lasted from about 10,000 years ago to about 5,000 years ago, people began to settle down and make more advanced tools. They were still hunter-gatherers and lived off the land, but their lives were becoming more stable.
• Show pictures of Mesolithic people and talk about their lives.
• During the Neolithic period, which lasted from about 5,000 years ago to about 3,000 years ago, people began to grow crops and domesticate animals. They began to build permanent settlements and had more advanced technology.
• Show pictures of Neolithic people and talk about their lives.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in small groups to fill out a chart or chart-like activity with information about the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods, including the dates when they occurred and what types of tools and technology people had during each period.
• Assist students as needed and provide guidance on how to fill out the chart or chart-like activity.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one of the three periods (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, or Neolithic) and create a project that demonstrates their understanding of what life was like during that period.
• Projects could be in the form of a poster, presentation, or written report.

Closure

• Review the key characteristics of each period and the key discoveries and innovations that occurred during that time.
• Ask students to reflect on what they have learned about life during the Prehistoric era and how it compares to life today.

Assessment

• Observe students during the activity-guided discussion and their independent practice to determine their understanding of the key characteristics and key discoveries and innovations of each period.
• Collect and review the collages or written reflections to assess students' understanding of the key characteristics and key discoveries and innovations of each period.