The document discusses a lesson on the movie Castaway, in which Tom Hanks' character is stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. As he lives on the island for four years, he must rely only on his brain and skills to survive, similar to early humans. The lesson asks students to watch three scenes from the movie and answer questions about the challenges Hanks' character faces, the skills he acquires to survive, and how he has adapted after four years.

1. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Name: _______________________________ Date: _________
Lesson 1.6
Castaway
In the movie Castaway, Tom Hanks plays a character who washes up on a deserted island following a plane
crash in the Pacific Ocean. For four years he is left to fend for himself as he lives a life similar to that of the
hominids of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Era. Gone are the modern conveniences of television, radios and
electricity. Hanks’ character is thrust into a battle for survival armed only with his brain and the dream of
returning to civilization. As we watch portions of the movie, take note of the similarities and differences
between the lifestyles of Hanks and early-man hundreds of thousands of years ago. In addition, please answer the
following questions as we view three scenes from the movie.
SCENE ONE – “The Coconut Problem”
1.) What challenges does the character Tom Hanks plays face on the island?
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2.) Describe the skills he acquires in order to survive. Explain how he acquired them.
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Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

2. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
SCENE TWO – “To Make Fire”
3.) How did Tom Hanks’ character finally succeed in making fire? What skills did he have to acquire?
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4.) Describe his reaction to his success. Why was the fire so important to him?
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SCENE THREE – “Four Years Later”
5.) How has Tom Hanks’ character adapted to his environment? What new skills has he acquired?
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Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

3. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Independent Practice 1.3
Paleolithic Era Humans Modern Humans
Acquire Food
Make certain
foods edible:
Think raw vs.
cooked
Obtain shelter
Protect
themselves from
nature: Think
inclement
weather,
dangerous
animals
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS
Summary Question: In one sentence, contrast the main difference between the humans who lived during the Paleolithic Era and
the humans who live in modern society.
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4. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
Name: _______________________________ Date:_____________
Exit Ticket Lesson 1.3
What skills did humans in the Paleolithic Era acquire to be able to sustain their lives?
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What differentiated humans from other animals during the Paleolithic Era?
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Name: _______________________________ Date:_____________
Exit Ticket Lesson 1.3
What skills did humans in the Paleolithic Era acquire to be able to sustain their lives?
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What differentiated humans from other animals during the Paleolithic Era?
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Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

5. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
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Name: _____________________________________ Date: _____________
HW 1.3 9th Grade Social Studies
1. How it all began…
a. ____________________ _________________ (modern humans) appeared in Africa
100,000 to 400,000 years ago.
b. Then they migrated to
i. ______________________
ii. ______________________
iii. Australia________
iv. ______________________
2. How did they find their food?
a. Early human societies met their needs by
________________ animals and
__________________ other foods like edible plants.
b. These hunters and gatherers were also known as __________________.
3. Nomads
a. ___________________: People who depend on wild plants and animals to survive. They
follow where the food supply went and gathered seeds and nuts.
4. The Paleolithic Era
a. Paleolithic Era also means __________________ ________________ ______________.
b. The Paleolithic or Old Stone Age began 2 million years ago!
c. Homo Sapiens during this period were:
i. Nomads
ii. The first to make ___________ ___________ and ____________.
iii. Make cave art
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS

6. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
iv. Master the use of ________________
v. Developed a language
vi. __________________________________.
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS
Make a Prediction
Directions: Make a prediction about what type of technological or social innovation will propel Paleolithic people to
the next stage of social evolution. In other words, what will be created/invented/used to bring Paleolithic people
closer to modern man. Be sure to write in proper format.
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DBQ: The document to the left is a Paleolithic Era cave
painting. What are two aspects of the Paleolithic Era that
you can infer from viewing this cave painting?
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7. S U M M I T A C A D E M Y C H A R T E R S C H O O L
iv. Master the use of ________________
v. Developed a language
vi. __________________________________.
Bridging the GAP … Reaching New HEIGHTS
Make a Prediction
Directions: Make a prediction about what type of technological or social innovation will propel Paleolithic people to
the next stage of social evolution. In other words, what will be created/invented/used to bring Paleolithic people
closer to modern man. Be sure to write in proper format.
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DBQ: The document to the left is a Paleolithic Era cave
painting. What are two aspects of the Paleolithic Era that
you can infer from viewing this cave painting?
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