What are GRAPES?GRAPES stands for geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics, and social structures. It is an acronym that helps us understand the different civilizations we will be studying in 7th grade.
View the GRAPES slideshow below to see pictorial and written examples of each category. You can download the whole PDF by clicking the highlighted link above. In order to understand a civilization you need to be able to identify the following:
GEOGRAPHY - where is it located? -does the size or location have any effect on the way of life? -what is the climate and weather like? -what are some major landforms or geographical regions like deserts, mountains, river systems, or lakes? RELIGION - what did the people believe? -did they worship one god or many gods? -was religion a big part of daily life? ACHIEVEMENTS - what types of buildings or structures did they make? what were some inventions? -what are they known for? -what did they study? -did they have written language and could everyone read it? POLITICS - how was the civilization governed? -by an emperor, a king, a Ghana, the Sapa Inca? -what were some of the laws? -did they fight or go to war? -did they take over other lands? ECONOMICS - was it a major center of trade? -were there taxes or tributes? -how did they trade? -who did they trade with? -where did the money go? -was money spent on the people/public works or did it make the ruler richer? SOCIAL STRUCTURE - who was at the top/highest class with the most power? -were there slaves or poor people? -what was life like? -could a person change between levels or classes? |
This bookmark will help you look for key words in text as you read. For example, if you see a direction like West Africa, you will know it is talking about geography.
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