The Creative Righters Journal
Nonfiction
Julius Caesar
By: Greyson L., 12
Julius Caesar is a classic Shakespearean play that includes the main themes of emotion, logic and drama. This one play has been performed tens of thousands of times over the years and is still quite popular. The play “Julius Caesar” uses this method with interesting characters like Brutus, Cassius, Anthony, and Caesar. One of the most dramatic situations is the scene in which Brutus and Anthony give their separate funeral speeches after Caesar has been murdered. While both speeches were well delivered and powerful, it highlights the difference between emotion and logic. I believe that Anthony’s speech was better because he was able to use emotion and appeal to the audience’s desire for drama. Brutus’s speech was logical, but didn’t have enough emotion to convince the audience of his beliefs.
In Julius Caesar, emotion plays a key role in many of the acts and scenes. In Anthony’s funeral speech, he used emotion to his advantage as he cried and yelled at the audience and made them feel guilty by saying things like:
“You all did love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him?— O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason!—Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it comes back to me.”
In this quote, he uses pathos/emotion to say: You are all traitors! You all loved Caesar and now you are happy he died! I died with Caesar in his coffin! He is making the audience feel guilty, Caesar was a loving man that loved them all, and they betrayed him. Anthony tried to influence the audience to think that Brutus, Cassius and the conspirators were bad people, he said:
“Look, in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through. See what a rent the envious Casca made. Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabbed, And, as he plucked his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it, As rushing out of doors to be resolved If Brutus so unkindly knocked or no; For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! This was the most unkindest cut of all. For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms,uite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart, And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey’s statue, Great Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen! Then I and you and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourished over us. O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel The dint of pity. These are gracious drops.”
In this quote, Anthony used pathos as he showed the audience Caesar's body and told them that Brutus's betrayal hurt the most because Caesar loved Brutus and to see Brutus’s hand at the end of the dagger was unimaginable. Anthony used this emotional response to his advantage that, in the end, made the audience take violent action against the Conspirators.
Brutus, in Julius Caesar, is that Shakespearian character of logic. Brutus has a great and honorable reputation among the peoples of Rome. So, when he was trying to convince the audience that the conspirators killed Caesar for the good of Rome, he used his reputation, honor and logic to try to convince them. He said,
“​​Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses that you may the better judge.”
In that quotation, Brutus is telling them to be good citizens and judges of Caesar's death and what he has to say about it. He then says:
“If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him. As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As he was valiant, I honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended.”
In this speech, Brutus tells the crowd that if they liked Caesar, he loved him as much as Cesar loved him. Then, Shakespeare unleashed his genius as Brutus explains that he loves Rome more than Caesar, and using logic, he said that if they wanted to save the Roman peoples from dying as slaves, killing Caesar was the only way to do it and bring peace to Rome. He explains that Caesar was valiant, but too ambitious. He wanted to have the whole world under his control, including Rome. Brutus is trying to show the audience that they too have to put Rome ahead of an unworthy tyrant like he was logically forced to do. Brutus thought he swayed the audience in his favor, but then Anthony’s speech proved to be an emotionally stronger argument to the crowd.
On the stage, Shakespeare uses drama in Julius Caesar to entertain and captivate the audience. Antony's Funeral Speech is a great example of this when he said:
“Have patience, gentle friends. I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. You are not wood, you are not stones, but men. And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, It will inflame you; it will make you mad. ’Tis good you know not that you are his heirs, For if you should, O, what would come of it?” “Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? I have o’ershot myself to tell you of it. I fear I wrong the honorable men Whose daggers have stabbed Caesar. I do fear it.”
In these words, Anthony is trying to influence the crowd by saying that the Will would incite too much emotion of how much Caesar loved his people. In addition, he is positioning himself as the better person as revealing too much about the Will and details of the murder would sway public opinion away from the “honorable” men that took part in the assassination. Later in his speech, he cried:
“I​​f you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle. I remember The first time ever Caesar put it on. ’Twas on a summer’s evening in his tent, That day he overcame the Nervii.”
In this quote, he dramatically prepared the audience for what they were about to hear. He went into deep details of when he first wore that shirt that he was wearing when the conspirators stabbed him to make an impression on the audience. The use of drama helped Anthony in his speech to convince the audience that killing Caesar was a bad thing and the murderers should be killed for their treason.
To conclude, Brutus’s speech had strong logic, but failed to convince the audience to take action. His speech was less superior compared to Anthony’s speech that emphasized emotion and drama that compelled the audience to feel guilty and take action against the conspirators. This is one of the many scenes of Julius Caesar that Shakespeare put his heart and soul into and is a piece of history to be remembered. In his scenes, he combines emotion, drama, and logic, mixed together to make it a successful, entertaining, and amazing play. Sadly, Anthony and Octavius win in the end when the conspirators commit suicide. After all, Julius Caesar is a tragedy.
The Life of a Sumo
By: xTNTxzombie, 12
Introduction:
In April 2024, I visited Japan, and on that trip, I visited a sumo wrestling stable. Now, I’d like to share my sumo wrestling experience with you. One person who helped us organize the tour was Yukio-San and he was informative.
Origin of Sumo:
Sumo wrestling is a sport that dates back almost 1,500 years ago. Sumo’s origins are religious during the Nara period. Sumo matches were prayers to god for bountiful harvests. A sumo festival was held annually, usually including music, dancing, and wrestling. During 1192, a military dictatorship was established. Sumo was practiced for its use in battle to train men. But later on, jiujitsu was invented as an offshoot of sumo used by samurai warriors. In 1603, peace was finally restored under the Tokugawa shogunate. After that, the professionals were used for entertainment, which is the same today. Nowadays you can watch sumo tournaments or even watch them train!
Sumo Practice:
Sumo practice is usually in the morning and lasts about 1 ½- 2 hours. When Sumos practice, they usually do a mix of games like King of the Hill, repeated practice (where Sumos fight until they are exhausted), Offense/Defense practice (where one charges and one receives the hit), and fall-breaking drills (where they practice rolling to prevent injury when thrown). Sometimes practice even ends with a chant!
Communal Training Stables:
In modern times, Sumos live together, usually in apartments beside where they practice. Every stable has a Stable Master, usually, he was a sumo wrestler who was good at his peak career. He would provide beds and meals for the wrestlers. And for the higher rank wrestlers, he would also pay a salary. Every wrestler belongs to a stable where they live and practice 24/7. There are 44 stables in Japan, most of them are in Tokyo. All stables compete with each other in tournaments.
The Physique of a Sumo:
When you hear the word “Sumo” you think of a big wrestler that weighs a lot. But it doesn’t start like that. When wrestlers join a stable they are usually the size of an average human. But their diet is different that's how they get so big, along with training and some other factors. According to GQ magazine, they usually eat Chanko-nabe a dish made out of any protein and vegetables they can eat. Chanko-nabe is surprisingly low on fat; the trick is eating in large quantities. Sumo wrestlers usually eat around 4,000 calories a day (not the 10,000 calories you've probably heard before). Their lunches are the heaviest meal while the dinner is pretty light (1 small bowl of udon and a mackerel per person).
Tournaments:
There are around 6 tournaments a year, each lasting around 15 days. During tournaments, there’s usually 1 boutb per day per wrestler. And if you get 8 wins, you get promoted otherwise you get demoted. What's super surprising is there are no weight classes during tournaments, unlike the wrestling matches to know about in the USA. Before matches the rikishi usually scatters some special throwing salt to purify the ring. This sacred salt is supposed to protect the wrestlers. Sumo wrestling tournaments are very ceremonial and have a lot of rituals and costumes.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed writing and learning about sumo wrestling because it was a topic I enjoyed as a kid, and wanted to write about.
While writing this story, I have watched sumo practice, and even met some of the wrestlers! Overall I think I would recommend watching a match or practice because it’s a very interesting and fun environment, and very specific to Japanese culture.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new.
Ancient Greek Temples
By: Tyler W., 12, and Jacob L. 12
In our research, we have learned that ancient Greek temples had three different parts: the naos or cella (the inside of the temple), the peristasis (the columns and base of the temple), and the pediment (the roof of the temple). The naos or cella is the inside of the temple, where the statues of gods or goddesses are. The naos is usually very large, with a door to enter. There are no windows in the naos. Naos also usually have offerings tables. The offerings are usually related to the god or goddess in the temple. For example, in the Parthenon you might give helmets, spears, or arrows to Athena, the goddess of battle strategy. The peristasis was the columns and the base surrounding the naos. There was usually a garden type area around the peristasis, which was called a peristyle. In ancient Greece there were three different types of columns, the Doric order (being the simplest with no base), the Ionic order (which was thinner with scrolls carvings on the top), and the Corinthian order (the most complicated with a dragon fruit's green scale shape carved on the top). The peristasis also had life size sculptures of gods and goddesses.
In our research, we learned that the Partheon was the best representation of Greek architecture. The Partheon was located on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece. It is said to have some of the most “high points” of Greek art and architecture, and is thought to be the symbol of Ancient Greece and democracy. The Partheon used the Doric order of columns. The frieze showed different military actions. In the middle of the Partheon there was a giant sculpture of Athena. This is why we think that the Partheon was the best representation of Greek architecture.
Treasure Island
By: Jimmy T., Age 10
The story of Treasure Island centers around a young boy named Jim. Jim is a twelve year old child who works at his parents’ inn and is the son of a sickly father. He is an obedient and passive person with all the people around him, following the orders of others and not thinking independently. For example, when Billy Bones, also called the Captain, comes into the inn, Jim obeys Bones’ every command. The Captain is an undercover pirate who is hiding a treasure map, which is why he doesn’t give his real name. The Capta `in orders Jim to look out for the man with one leg. Jim doesn’t want to as “the man with one leg haunted [his] dreams,” but he follows Billy Bones’ commands anyway, showing more passivity. Another example of Jim being passive around Billy Bones is when Jim is ordered to “fetch” Billy Bones a bottle of rum. When Jim fetches Billy Bones’ rum he is obeying Bones. Although the Doctor told Jim not to give the Captain rum, he still did so. Bones uses the word “fetch” which shows how passive Jim is, since Jim is allowing people to treat him like a trained pet. Another example of Jim’s passivity occurs when Jim meets a visually challenged beggar who asks “[Jim] to hold out [his] hand.” Despite the fact that Jim doesn’t want to help this “horrible creature,” he does anyway. His thoughts consist of horrible feelings against this creature. Jim soon learns that this blind beggar is Pew, one of Billy Bones’ furious crew members who has come for Flint’s Treasure map. When Pew commands Jim to take him to see Bones, Jim protests. Pew then threatens to break Jim’s arm in two. This is translating Pew’s violence as a pirate. Jim immediately “obeyed him without further hesitation.” While Jim first protests against Pew, he loses his strength, changes his mind, and reverts back to his old passive self by obeying Pew. For Jim, he was not yet ready to become an active character. That would come much later in the story.
When Jim is in control of the map, he is “unsure what to do next,” so Jim takes the map “to the Count” to handle the situation. This also shows Jim’s character is passive during planning. The two adults who he takes the map to are Doctor Livsey and Squire Tralawny. Doctor Livsey is the man who took care of Jim’s father who was at a point of death. Squire Trelawney is a successful businessman who sells ships. Jim's actions show passivity by taking the map to some adults to let them handle the situation. While having a conversation about what to do next, Jim sits in the corner being steadfast, and not meddling or complaining about the command given to him from the Squire. Squire Trelawney commands, “Jim Hawkins shall come with us as cabin boy.” Jim silently nods, which shows he is being passive by not speaking out, and not saying what he wants to do. Then, the Squire says “[he] would find that treasure.” This quote shows that the Squire is being active while Jim is being passive while the Squire puts him at the bottom of the hierarchy system as a cabin boy. Later, Jim shows more passivity at the harbor. These events all feel “new to [him]” and he is “ captivated.” When Jim says he feels “captivated” it shows passivity because he is only observing and following instead of making decisions on his own. He is not yet ready to tell people that he loathes being treated like he is at the bottom of the hierarchy system.
Later in the story, when Jim comes into the Spy Glass Inn to meet Long John Silver, the one-legged cook, he continues to be passive. Jim finds Black Dog, who was a shipmate of Pew, inside Long John Silver’s inn. This event cultivates suspicions that Silver is a pirate because he is letting pirates into the Inn, but Jim is too passive to question Silver about his pirate connections. Jim “sensed something was wrong,” which shows he had suspicions about Silver. But, when Silver continues “to create the impression that he was a good man,” Jim doesn’t trust his instincts. Long John Silver is more active compared to Jim because he is convincing Jim to believe him instead of Jim following his instincts and investigating Silver’s past. In addition, Long John is active on board the ship by commanding Jim and treating him like his parrot, Polly. When he is teaching Jim about sailing, Long John has Jim “repeat these phrases till [he] could recite them.” In this way, Jim is just like a robot taking commands from his creator. Jim is passive when he is told to “recite” because he is just obeying John. Although Jim was passive with Trelawny and Livsey in the beginning, as the story continues, he starts to become more active by having a suspicion about Long John, but is not full active because he let Silver persuade him here. For the rest of the book, however, we might expect Jim to become more active and be more than just a trained puppet.
When Jim is wanting to consume a fruit he goes to an apple barrel and falls in. He overhears Silver’s plan for mutiny. When Jim hears this, he realizes that all “the lives of all the honest men aboard the Hispaniola depend upon [him].” He must become active and not be nonchalant and passive in order to stop this mutiny. Responsibility makes you more active because you have to do your job. You can’t just wait for someone else to do it for you. Jim now has to listen to more than just other people. He has to listen to himself too. If he does not, how will the true men on the Hispaniola stop the mutiny led by Long John Silver? Jim wants to kill Silver because of his “duplicity.” Duplicity is when you are two faced and having one nice side, and then a grim side. Jim used to believe Long John Silver was an honest man, and did not trust his instincts. Now, he realizes that Silver is a cruel man, leading a mutiny, and that he should have been active and trusted himself all along. After learning the truth, Jim becomes more active, because he realizes that everyone’s life now depends on Jim becoming active. Jim “could scarcely conceal a shudder” when Long John Silver “[lays] a hand on [his] shoulder.” After hearing of Silver’s duplicity, Jim “ [wants] to pounce on him” because of how angered Jim is. Jim wants to “pounce” on Silver and he would “shudder” when John touches him. These things show more activity in Jim. Although Jim used to be sitting in the corner doubting himself, he now is active and is ready to take a stand.
With the responsibility of all the men’s lives on board the ship, Jim must become more active. An example of Jim’s activity is when Jim is asked to grab tobacco for the Doctor. Jim ignores him and tells the Doctor to “get the Captain and Squire down to the cabin” so he can share the information about the mutiny. This shows that Jim is taking a stand and is becoming more active. The Squire says, “Jim can help us more than anyone,” which shows that Jim is becoming equal with the adults, or even better. The Captain tells the little crew of seven that “[he] put a lot of faith in Jim.” This shows that Jim is rising so high he will reach the sun in the horizon.
To the despair of the adults, Jim now does not listen to them at all. For example, when Silver is calling out, “Jim! Jim! [he] heard [hears] him calling but paid [pays] no heed.” This shows that Jim is not listening to others and is now ruling himself. Another example is when “Jim slips over the side” while he is being called for, by the Captain. Although he heard the Captain calling for Jim to come to him, he still ignores him. This shows that Jim is active and is not listening to others.
Jim also shows that he has become an active character when he interacts with the wild man of the island, Ben Gunn. When Jim first saw the wild man, “[he] nearly called for help,” after seeing this horrifying man. Jim was scared, but “remembered his pistol.” Usually a gun is a sign of danger and death, but in this case it is a sign of power which Jim is revived by .Jim has more faith in himself and now believes that “ [he is] not defenseless.” and “courage glowed in his heart.” “[Jim walks] briskly to this man of the island,” showing the courage flowing through his body. Ben Gunn sees Jim coming towards him, “he threw himself on his knees” and acted as though Jim was a god.This shows Gunn is passive while Jim is much more active than ever before.
Jim also shows new active heroism after the battle in the stockade. Previously, the pirates attacked the stockade and wounded the captain. Afterwards, the Doctor goes out to meet Ben Gunn without notifying anyone. Jim is inspired by this brave move the Doctor made. After the Doctor leaves, Jim’s “envy kept growing stronger” until he devised a plan to escape the stockade. Jim’s plan was, “ to go down the sandy pit and look for Ben Gunn’s boat.” Then, Jim would “cut the Hispaniola loose” and save all the trustworthy men. This plan would make Jim the hero again, similarly to when he hid in the apple barrel and learned of Long John Silver’s mutiny. Jim “took the first step towards [his] escape.” Nothing could change this scheme, as “[he] had his mind made up” already. Jim is now an active person by deciding to make up his own scheme and escaping without anyone noticing, including his own allies. Jim has grown a lot since the beginning of the novel, and as the story continues, he will continue to sprout until he touches the sky.
Another example of Jim's activity is when he confronts Israel Hands on the deck of the Hispaniola. While cutting off the anchor, Jim saw Hands and his companion physically fighting. After the fight, Jim came back to tell “Mr. Hands” to “regard [him] as [his] captain.” This quote shows that Jim is being active by making himself captain. He started as a lowly cabin boy and is now a captain, the highest rank of the seas. However, while looking around the boat, Jim saw the jolly roger. He was not pleased at all with the flag, so he “handed down their cursed black flag” and tossed it into the sea. This also shows activity because he took down the pirate flag without the slightest hesitation of disobeying orders. Jim looked at Israel, and saw in his suspicious smile which “ [had] also a shadow of treachery” in this look he gave Jim. This again shows that Jim is following his instincts and trusting himself, unlike the time he first met Long John Silver. Soon, Hands tries to kill Jim, but Jim says “[He’ll] blow out [Israel Hands’] brains.” This again shows activity flowing through Jim so that now he is even threatening adults. Although from ages zero to twelve Jim has been passive, he is now starting to stand up for himself.
Jim shows activity by taking credit for all of his achievements, instead of passively giving the credit to others. For example, in front of all the pirates Jim admits that “it was [him]” that heard the plan of mutiny in the apple barrel, it was him who cut the Hispaniola loose, it was him who killed the pirates on deck, and it was him who hid the ship where no one will never see it again. Jim’s confidence is so high now that he brags, saying that “the laughs on [his] side.” Jim explains that “[he] no more fears [Long John] than a fly.” Jim no longer thinks that all of Long John's needs and orders are important. In fact, he thinks of him as a tiny bug. Jim also politely says, “[he’ll] help [the pirates] all [he] can '' for their piracy crimes, if Jim himself is not killed. “All [the pirates] sat staring at [Jim] like sheep,” and “not a man stirred” from being surprised with his activity. One pirate even admits that “[Jim] was this same boy that faked the chart from Billy Bones.” Another admitted that “first and last, [they’ve] split upon Jim Hawkins.'' All of this shows that the pirates have been beaten by Jim’s actions, and that they themselves are passive with Jim. Although his story begins as a passive young boy, he becomes an active person who even defeats pirates by the end.
In the beginning of Treasure Island, the story characterizes Jim as a passive and reliant child. By the end of the book, he has grown to be a strong and independent character that is able to defeat the pirates, similarly to how I grew up in the environment of our fourth grade class. In the beginning of fourth grade, we were all very reliant on our teacher. We always asked for help, no matter how small our troubles were. But now, nearing the end of fourth grade, we can handle many more things on our own. Like Jim, we started out passive and reliant, but we eventually learned how to solve our own problems and make our own decisions. Our personal trials and tribulations make us stronger. Now that we are all more independent, we can become great leaders in fifth grade. I wish that I will continue to grow in the fifth grade and become more independent, strong and decisive. With these qualities, I can tackle anything that comes my way!
Athens vs. Sparta: Educational Differences
By: Bella L., Age 11
Athens and Sparta were only 150 miles apart from each other, but their social differences were so large that it was almost impossible to miss. Both city states were famous and surpassed others by far in economics, cultural developments and militia. Although Sparta and Athens were both two of the most powerful states, the educational system of Athens was more advanced than that of sparta. However, Sparta’s education was far ahead of Athens and its time in one important area - the right for girls to go to school.
Athens believed in producing well-mannered, good citizens. In order to do that, Athens trained their students in many different subjects. However, their students were limited by gender. Only boys were allowed to go to school. Their students learned to read, write, sing, play musical instruments, understand basic math, and play sports like the Discus Throw. Girls, on the other hand, stayed at home and learned how to do household chores and how to raise children. Although the thought of girls not having a good education sounds abnormal today, this practice was quite normal in ancient Greece and Athens.
Unlike Athens, the Spartans did not study much reading and writing, and were encouraged to steal. This was quite different from Athens, who taught their children to be well-behaved citizens. Since Sparta focussed on military strength, they trained their students (both boys and girls) to be able to protect the city-state. In Sparta, they taught their students how to box, swim, wrestle, throw the javelin, track animals, hunt, fish, and throw the discus. Sparta may have seemed barbaric and less educated, but unlike most other city-states and Athens, Sparta trained boys and girls equally, making them ahead of their time. Importantly, girls were expected to learn at school what the boys were learning.
In conclusion, Athens’ education is more advanced than Sparta’s education because they have more versatile learning. Athens learned not only what Spartans learned, but also other subjects, such as reading and writing . But in some areas, Sparta is more modern than Athens. Sparta taught girls and boys the same education, unlike all other city-states. Athens and Sparta together taught us an important lesson, “No two lives are the same; each one has its own story to tell.”
Robinson Crusoe
By: Eve M., Age 9
Robinson Crusoe is an important book to read because it's one of the first fiction novels written in English. However, because it came first it never had a chance to learn from the mistakes it makes. The problem with RC is that the author describes the Natives in racist ways and Robinson Crusoe himself, treats these Natives as less than human. On many occasions, Crusoe describes the Natives as savages, slaves, or monsters. That may have been tolerated 300 years ago in 1719. But today's world, it is unacceptable to do so.
RC often describes the Natives as, "human savages" that would eat him like "a savage beast". It is racist to describe natives as "savages," "animals," and "beasts". Today, we treat people with respect, no matter their skin color or their culture. The way RC describes the natives shows that he sees them as inferior.
When RC rescues one native he immediately took him in and "named him Friday". This moment is problematic because you can't name someone who already has a name. Doing so, shows that RC sees the Natives as property that he can pick off the ground like a piece of gold. Nowadays, we treat humans with all the respect they deserve. RC needs to learn this and it makes the reading book uncomfortable at times.
Another example is when RC said, "How moved I was by how affection worked in this poor savage at the sight of his father." This scene is also problematic because RC jumps to the conclusion that non-white people are heartless. It shocks him that a native would care for his father. RC's way of thinking is wrong because we know that all humans have feelings. This is another example of how RC fails to understand that the Natives are human, just like him.
As we read RC we should acknowledge it's an important book because it was the first of its kind. But, we should also remember that 300 years ago the world had so much to learn about human rights and equality. If RC was written today it would be criticized as a racist book. We can use this book to help us see how far we have come as a society of equal rights and how much farther we still need to go.
History of Humans:
Ch. 1: Humans Evolve
By: Allie N., Age 9
You may be wondering, “Where did humans come from?”
Well, the history of humans began in Africa with the apes. More than 3 million years ago, the apes naturally evolved into a different species called the Australopithecus Afarensis. After millions of years of more evolution, the Australopithecus Afarensis became the Homo Erectus, the first human-like creature to walk, stand,and control fire. Later on, the Homo Erectus evolved into the Homo Heidelbergensis, the first creature to build shelter and weapons. Finally, came the Homo Neanderthalensis or the Neanderthal, the first creature to wear animal skin as clothing and bury the dead.
It took 3 million years to evolve from Australopithecus Afarensis to Homo Sapiens. Homo Sapiens are able to adapt to their conditions which help them to survive while all these other human relatives died off. This is where humans came from.
History of Humans:
Ch. 2: Discovering Tools
By: Allie N., Age 9
Human ancestors began to first use tools 2.6 million years ago. Learning how to make tools through our natural environment was a big step in human evolution.
The first tool to be created by our human relatives was the stone choppers, created by the Homo Erectus. This tool was used to dig, crack nuts, and butcher animals. Later on, the Homo Heidelbergensis created the spear, a tool that would allow them to kill dangerously big animals such as elephants. Finally, the Homo Sapiens created a bone carved toolkit, including a sewing needle to sew clothing and barbed harpoons to catch fish.
Inventing and using tools allowed humans to develop greatly over the millions of years.
History of Humans:
Ch. 3: Humans Move
By: Allie N., Age 9
About 100,000 years ago Homo Sapiens slowly moved out of Africa, traveling to Asia. In the beginning, we migrated to warmer areas and places that had fertile lands.
Eventually, we traveled into colder areas, such as Europe and America. Our human ancestors mostly traveled by walking. We later traveled by boat, crossing every continent except Antarctica. Our ancestors traveled from Africa to the rest of the globe for food, shelter, and survival. Moving to areas where we had a better chance to survive allowed humans to continue to grow as a species.
History of Humans:
Ch. 4: Creating Fire
By: Allie N., Age 9
What is one of the most important essentials of life? If you guessed fire you’re correct. Controlling fire is essential to becoming dominant and staying alive.
The Homo Erectus is the first human-like creature to discover how to control and create fire. Fire keeps us warm during the winter. It also cooks our food so we don't have to spend hours on chewing raw meat. Fire also provided us light to get through the dark cloudy nights. If the Homo Erectus had not discovered fire, we would be shivering to death, or walking into walls. Fire was one of the most important discoveries, that allowed us to survive and thrive throughout history.
History of Humans:
Ch. 5: Making Art
By: Allie N., Age 9
Around 45,000 years ago, our ancestors created art. Inside deep dark caves, they would draw animals and landscapes from memory and imagination. We believe art was for telling stories to younger generations. Maybe they were used for communicating.
Although we don't know why our ancestors created art, we do know that it's a sign of human growth. When you draw or paint you need three things: imagination, creativity, and self expression. When you draw you need to imagine what your drawing is right in front of you. Creativity is just as important. With creativity, you can try to answer the questions of how, where, and why with the image you are drawing. Finally, art shows self expression. Self expression shows who you are through your art.
Art shows how much we have evolved from the Australopithecus to the Homo Sapiens.
History of Humans:
Ch. 6: Birth of Culture
By: Allie N., Age 9
What is culture? Culture are human hobbies, customs, and ideas that are shared by many humans and give their life joy and meaning. During the time of Homo Neanderthalensis, about 45,000 years ago, our ancestors took another step towards modern human life by developing culture.
There are three examples of how their culture evolved. The first one is art. Our ancestors carved lion men statues. These statues tell us stories and experiences from life. The second one is music. Music was used for ceremonies, accompanied dances, and meetings around the fire. The third one is burying the dead. When they buried the dead they would give offerings so that the deceased individuals would have useful items in the spirit world. This shows that our ancestors have become more and more human-like through billions of years from evolving.
History of Humans:
Ch. 7: Taking Shelter
By: Allie N., Age 9
Making shelter gave people the power to settle in every habitable part of the world. The first homes were built with whatever was found. Although shelters became more advanced, they had the same purpose, which was to help humans survive. One of the oldest shelters created were little wooden tents with thatched roofs. Another one of the oldest homes was sun-dried mud brick homes. One of the most modern homes made by our ancestors was stone homes. Everything inside and outside of the home was made of stone. Our first tools began with flint axes, then led to fire, art, culture, and now shelter. This evolution of humanity is a huge step in our ability to survive.
History of Humans:
Ch. 8: Farming Thrives
By: Allie N., Age 9
Farming was the invention that enabled humans to become the most dominant species in the world. In 10,000-9,000 BCE farming changed everything. The first change was when humans started spreading seeds, and storing the extra food to eat when they ran out of crops. The second change was controlling the mating and offspring of animals. That was helpful because it allowed them to have extra food when they were hungry. The last change was staying in one specific area so that farmers could be close to the crops they grew at all times. Farming in one area is better than roaming around the world because 1) you are experienced with the land, and 2) you know what to expect instead of traveling to one area and barely being able to hunt for food. Farming is a big reason why we humans are the most dominant animal in the world today.
History of Humans:
Ch. 9: First Towns
By: Allie N., Age 9
Towns are one of the tools that keep humans together to help one another to survive. One way the creation of towns allowed us to help each other was by having townspeople teach each other helpful skills. One example of a helpful skill was pottery. With pottery you could create cups, bowls, plates, and pots for others. A second way our ancestors helped others is by creating clay manikins to help the clothing trade. A final way others helped was by crafting decor for others with obsidian. The creation of towns are one of the ways that we strengthened ourselves and became the superior animal on Earth. Most importantly, towns are a way we humans worked together to survive.
