Assignment

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Analyzing Historical Information

History books are full of information. As you read, you are confronted with names, dates, places,
terms, and descriptions on every page. Because youre faced with so much information, you
dont want to have to deal with unimportant or untrue material in a history book.

Identifying Relevant and Essential Information

Information in a history book should be relevant, or related to the topic youre studying. It should
also be essential, or necessary, to understanding that topic and specific goal. Anything that is not
relevant or essential distracts from the important material you are studying.

The following passages have some sentences that arent important, necessary, or relevant. Read
the passage and cross out those irrelevant sentences.

Objective: I will examine the geography of Mesoamerica.

In the southern part of North America lies Mesoamerica. Mesoamerica is a
region that includes the southern part of what is now Mexico and parts of the
northern countries of Central America. Steamy rain forests cover some of this
region. The rain forest is home to many different animals such as monkeys,

jaguars and snakes. In some places, volcanoes rise above the forest. Ojos del
Salado is the largest volcano in South America on the border in the Central

Andes. Over the years, the volcano activity around Mesoamerica has made
the surrounding soil very fertile. Fertile mountain valleys, rivers, and a warm

climate make Mesoamerica good for farming. In fact, the first farmers in the
Americas domesticated plants in Mesoamerica.

Objective: I will examine farming in Mesoamerica.

The first permanent farming settlements in the Americas appeared in

Mesoamerica. In later years, people began to develop civilizations in South
America as well. This region had rich soils, warm temperatures, and plenty of

rain. By 3500 BC people in Mesoamerica were growing maize (MAYZ), or
corn. Later they learned to grow beans and squash. Today crops such as corn
and beans are still grown. By growing these foods, settlements could support
larger populations. More advanced societies grew, and people began to focus
on activities such as building, trade, art, and organized religion. Eventually,
settlements developed into towns and cities.
 Assignment #:

Partner Share Exercise

Directions: In the box below write a story about anything you want. The story must be at least
10 sentences long. The story must have a MAIN IDEA (example: I like to play basketball). The
story must also include at least 2 sentences that are not relevant to the story.

Then when you are done with your story, trade with your partner.

On your partners paper: write what you think the main idea is, in the box that says main idea.
Then underline the sentences that you are not relevant to the main idea.

Main Idea: