1. G.R.A.P.E.S.
The big ideas
of social studies
a PowerPoint presentation

2. G Geography How climate and landscape affect lifestyle.
Is a civilization isolated due to surrounding landforms?
What resources are available for clothing, building, and trade?

3. Example: Geography
The Appalachian Mountains served as a barrier both for Native American civilizations and later colonists.

4. R Religion Society’s beliefs about morals and the afterlife.
Is a culture polytheistic or monotheistic?
What are the rules one should live by?
How do these religious ideas affect different aspects of daily life?

5. Example: Religion
The Spanish brought Christianity to the Americas.

6. A Achievements The lasting works of a society.
What art and architecture did they produce?
Which ideas and innovations, if any, still affect our lives today?

7. Example: Achievements
The Incas built buildings that have withstood earthquakes for hundreds of years.

8. P Political system Who runs a society, and how do they do it?
Who has power, and how is it used?
How do those with power keep it or lose it?
Is the government a monarchy, oligarchy, theocracy, or democracy?

9. Example: Political system
Colonists in British America fought to institute democracy (in a limited form) versus the (constitutional) monarchy of England.

10. E Economics How a society uses its scarce resources.
What are the most valuable resources in a society?
How are these resources distributed?

11. Example: Economics
British America primarily exported fish, grain, tobacco, and timber

12. S Social structure The different levels or classes in a society.
Who are the “most important” people in society? What do they do?
Who’s at the bottom of the heap? Why?

13. Example: Social structure
In the Southern Colonies of British America there were clearly delineated social groups.

14. G.R.A.P.E.S. E O G R A P H Y E L I G O N C O N M I S O C I A L S. C OV M N T S O L I T C A S. C O N M I S O C I A L S.