Great Human Odyssey

Gr 7 Up—Anthropologist Niobe Thompson acts as a guide, observing the last of the hunter gatherers and meeting Polynesians, who still navigate the oceans using the stars and ocean swells. In clear terms, the program explains how cooperation and social culture encouraged adaptation that led to evolutionary change for early Homo sapiens. Stone tools enabled them to kill high-energy food and create clothes from fur for survival in cold climates. The diverse array of scientists give students a window into many disciplines. However, this DVD may not be ideal for classroom use, as it tackles a vast amount of material and the menu selection provides limited guidance. Production values are strong, with the use of graphics, reenactments, and stunning aerial photography from all over the world, including the Great Rift Valley. The narration by Jay O. Sanders is smooth and clear.