Creator: PBS | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
Jared Diamond’s book <i> Guns Germs & Steel </i> won a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction. This website presents an overview of some of the major threads of Diamond’s thesis as presented in the PBS special based upon the book. Diamond suggests that geography may have been the single most important factor in the rise and fall of civilizations over the course of human history. The site examines some of the variables that have contributed to the success or failure of societies through history, including crops, animals, technology, and climate. There are lesson plans tied to national standards associated with each of the televised episodes. While viewing the series is an option, much can be gained by examining the lesson plans even without watching the series.
In the Classroom
The information contained here will be most helpful in planning lessons on the interdependence of culture, geography and technology. Students may find information here for research purposes, but this site should be considered mostly for its usefulness to teachers in advance of unit planning.
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Subjects
Earth Science/Geology, Geography (US/World), Social Studies, Social Studies, Social Studies, Social Studies, Social Studies, Social Studies, American History, History & Culture: World,