Why Does Language Matter?
STUDENT MATERIALSSTUDENT MATERIALSS-1WHY DOES LANGUAGE MATTER? WORLD HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITYPurpose Language is one of the things that sets humans apart from other animals. Our ability to communicate through symbolic language is a necessity for collective learning to take place. This short activity shows you how flexible our language is and how difficult collective learning would have been for our non-sapiens ancestors. ProcessThis is a short, fun, three-step activity. Step 1As a class, choose 200 random words. Step 2Respond to the questions and prompts on the worksheet, using only the words listed. Be prepared to share your answers with the class. Step 3Think about what life would be like for humans if we did not have language for communication, and discuss this with your class.
Name:Date:Name:Date:STUDENT MATERIALSS-2WHY DOES LANGUAGE MATTER? WORLD HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITYDirections: Using ONLY the words that your class came up with, respond to the following questions and prompts.1. How should we try to kill that mammoth? 2. Explain why you should marry me.3. Give directions for a simple task.
Name:Date:Name:Date:STUDENT MATERIALSS-3WHY DOES LANGUAGE MATTER? WORLD HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITY4. Come up with a plan to improve our cave. 5. Describe a physical landscape. 6. Come up with your own questions!