G u i d e
t o
R e a d i n g
N o t e s
Section 2
Section 5
1. Australopithecus afarensis, Lucy
1. Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, Neanderthal
Man
2. Students should color the first rectangle on the
timeline.
3. Students may color and label the hominids
standing on two legs.
4. Because Lucy and her relatives were bipeds
(walked on two feet), they could gather and
carry food more easily, and could use their
hands for defense.
Section 3
1. Homo habilis, Handy Man
2. Students should color the second rectangle on the timeline.
3. Students may color and label groups of
hominids sitting together, as well as simple
tools (rocks) that the hominids are using to
skin the zebra.
4. Because Handy Man lived in groups, they were
better able to hunt and protect themselves.
Because they used simple tools, they were able
to dig or make traps to catch small animals,
tear the meat from dead animals, and crush
bones for the marrow inside.
Section 4
1. Homo erectus, Upright Man
2. Students should color the third rectangle on the timeline.
3. Students may color and label the hominids
walking upright, using fire, and using tools
to skin the animals. Students may draw and
label a simple shelter (oval hut covered by tree
branches).
4. Because Upright Man had strong bones, they
were able to walk long distances. This allowed
them to migrate from Africa to Asia and
Europe. They used fire to cook animal meat,
survive the cold, and protect themselves from
predators. They created shelters with tools like
the hand ax. Shelters allowed Upright Man to
live in colder climates and in areas without
caves or other natural shelters.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
2. Students should color the fourth rectangle on the timeline.
3. Students may color and label the hominids
living in groups, taking care of each other, and
carrying flowers. Students may draw and label
tools such as knives, scrapers, and spear points.
4. Because Neanderthals lived in groups, they
were better able to travel and hunt together.
With their spears, they could better hunt and
trap animals. Neanderthals showed a sense of
community because they cared for their sick
and injured. This capability brought them the
benefit of learning from the experience of older
members of the group.
Section 6
1. Homo sapiens sapiens, Doubly Wise Man, Early
Modern Humans
2. Students should color the last (fifth) rectangle
on the timeline.
3. Students may color and label clothing and
artwork. Students may draw and label tools
such as needles and sculpting blades, or
weapons such as bows and arrows, hooks,
and spears.
4. Because early modern humans created
complex tools like needles, they could sew
animal skins together to make clothing that
protected them from the cold. They made
weapons such as spears and bows and arrows,
which allowed early humans to hunt from a
safer distance. Their artwork such as cave
paintings and sculptures shows that early
humans had feelings about the world and
could communicate their thoughts to others.
Early Hominids 1