Dogs in History

Learning Objectives

Students will understand the role of dogs in human history.

Grade Levels

9-12

Standards

World History Era 1:

• Standard 1 A – Interrogate Historical Data; Establish Temporal Order in Constructing Historical Narrative
• Standard 1B- Evaluate Major Debates Among Historians
• Standard 2A- Appreciate Historical Perspectives
• Standard 2A- Evaluate Major Debates Among Historians
• Standard 2B- Compare and contrast differing behaviors and institutions

Materials Needed

1. Article Comprehension Questions Sheet
2. Podcast: NPR Interview with Mark Derr, author of How the Dog Became the Dog [20 minutes] Here
3. “How Hunting With Wolves Helped Humans Outsmart Neanderthals” by Robin McKie in The Guardian [includes interview with professor and author Pat Shipman] Here
4. “An evolutionary tale about dogs and humans” by Jessica Alfaro, UCLA Institute for Environment and Sustainability Newsroom Here
5. “We Didn’t Domesticate Dogs. They Domesticated Us” by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, National Geographic News Here

Lesson

Introduction

• Have students think, pair, share to discuss their thoughts on the importance of dogs in our society.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling

• As a class, listen to the podcast interview with author Mark Derr. Take notes on the author’s main arguments about how dogs came to be domesticated and how their domestication shaped human society.

Independent Working Time

• Have students read each of the articles.
• In pairs or small groups students should discuss the attached comprehension questions and jot down answers individually in note form.
• When students are finished, go over the answers to their questions.
• Students will write a well-developed paragraph in response to one of the prompts below. Paragraphs should include a direct, specific topic sentence, and specific references to the assigned resources. They should indicate an understanding of historical context, and historiography. May be done in class or for homework.

Review and Closing

• Review the role of dogs in our society.

References

1. Podcast: NPR Interview with Mark Derr, author of How the Dog Became the Dog [20 minutes]
2. “How Hunting With Wolves Helped Humans Outsmart Neanderthals” by Robin McKie in The Guardian [includes interview with professor and author Pat Shipman]
3. “An evolutionary tale about dogs and humans” by Jessica Alfaro, UCLA Institute for Environment and Sustainability Newsroom
4. “We Didn’t Domesticate Dogs. They Domesticated Us” by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, National Geographic News