How people lived in our environment

History

Grade 4

History begins in our environment

Module 1

How people lived in our environment

Do your own investigating. Let’s pretend that we live in a town called Mountain Springs.

This town was not established overnight. First one or two houses were built, then someone opened a shop, then a church and a school was built. Eventually streets were constructed to connect the buildings. Gradually the town became bigger and bigger. It is called development !

Activity 1

To compile information about your town/city from a number of sources [lo 1.2, 1.3]

As a group you are now going to do some snooping about your town or school or home. You will have the opportunity to find sources from your environment, to use them and then compile a report on your findings!

A hint or two …

• Plan your questions beforehand.
• Take notes. You may also use a tape recorder.
• Remember: people’s memories are not always reliable – they do not always speak the truth. Therefore talk to different people.

The following questions will help you to find out how your town or city was established:

Who were the first people to live in the environment?

……………………………………………………………………………………..

How did they survive?

…………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………

Who was the founder of the town?

……………………………………………………..

When was it established?

……………………………………………………..

Why was it established in that particular place?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

How old will the town be this year?

……………………………………………………….

Why did the town get its particular name?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

When did the first farmers arrive? …………………………………………...

What is the name of the oldest farm in the district?

……………………………………………………………………………………

What present line of business (industry) is the largest or most important?

……………………………………………………………………………………

Which street, place of worship, or school was the first to be built?

……………………………………………………………………………………

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How did the people of long ago make music?

……………………………………………………………………………………

Which art forms remained intact?

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How did technology help to develop your town or city?

……………………………………………………………………………………

What important events took place in your town?

………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………….

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Which months of the year does your town have

the highest rainfall? …………………………………………………

the lowest rainfall? …………………………………………………

Activity 2

To obtain information from sources about your school [lo 1.2, 1.3]

Work in groups. Find out if your school has a school newspaper or other printed source in which the principal announces important events. Use this source to investigate the following questions, and write down your findings:

In which year was your school founded? …………………………………..

How old is the school? ……………………………………………………….

Who was the founder of the school? ……………………………………….

Who was the first principal of the school?

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Which classrooms are the oldest in the school?

…………………………………………………………………………………..

In what way are they different from the new classrooms?

…………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Get hold of photographs of people who attended school in the past. Use these sources to answer the following questions:

• Did the school uniforms change?

• Did the hairstyles change?

• Did the fashions of the teachers’ clothes change over the years?

Conduct a few interviews with any of the older people who attended your school as children. Ask them the following questions:

• What means of transport did they use to get to school?
• How were their teachers?
• What was the discipline like in the school?
• Which subjects did they like and dislike?
• What stationery did they use?
• What sports and games did they play at school?

Activity 3

To obtain information from sources about houses [lo 1.2, 1.3]

(a) Benjamin and David are best friends and live in Mountain Springs. They often read each other’s diaries. On the next page study the entries they made in their diaries, and also the photographs of their houses.

Look closely at House 1 and House 2. Does the right house suit the right person according to the diaries?

• The two houses have similarities and differences. Make a list of these.
• How do these houses compare to those in your neighbourhood?
• Why are peoples’ houses so important?
• Draw a nice picture of your house.

The best way to judge buildings such as these houses is to ask specific questions about them and then write down the answers. Consequently you will find out more about buildings, and become aware of the similarities and differences between them! All you need is common sense, a pen and paper!

(b) Now use the following questions to find out more about the history of your house.

Activity 4

To write a report on how to obtain information from sources [lo 1.1, 1.2, 1.3]

Write a short report on the history of your town/city or school or home. You are welcome to include pictures, photographs and other sources.

Assessment

LEARNING OUTCOME 1: HISTORICAL ENQUIRY The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate the past and present.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

1.1 works with sources: records and organises information from a variety of sources;

1.2 answers questions: uses information from sources to answer questions;

1.3 communicates answers: communicates knowledge and understanding in a variety of ways.