Social Studies

 
 

 

 

 


Grade 7

 

Unit 1: Geography and Cultures of the World

Identify physical and human characteristics of geographic regions to interpret the interdependent relationship between humans and their environment

Initial Understanding

Recall geography skills and vocabulary

Examine the physical geography of the earth and identify types of landforms and land surfaces

Retell the five themes of geography

Define characteristics of culture

Identify major climate regions of the world

Developing an Interpretation

Use maps to determine relative and absolute location, direction, size and shape

Describe the purpose and characteristics of globes and various map projections

Interpret information from, and distinguish between, the various representations of the earth

Create accurate geographic models (geo-chart)

Explain the factors that effect climate

Making Connections

Compare and contrast life in diverse climate zones

Interpret patterns of natural resources based on geographic location

Explain how culture and experience influence peopleÕs perception of regions and places

Critical Stance

Analyze a specific society and integrate components of culture, climate, resources and human environmental interaction

Draw conclusions about the impact of world trade and resources and the interdependence of the worldÕs people

Evaluate the causes, consequences and possible solutions to a contemporary, global, environmental issue

 

 

Unit 2: Africa: Shaped by History and Moving into the Future


Analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, cultural, and social structures of Sub-Saharan Africa civilization from settlement to present day. 

Initial Understanding

Locate and label important geographic features and regions of Africa

Identify the climate and vegetation patterns

Examine early African empires

Name AfricaÕs major natural resources

Define desertification, apartheid

Developing an Interpretation

Describe climate regions of Africa and explain the factors that influence climate

Explain various ways that Africa uses its natural resources

Evaluate historic information about Ancient African empires

Examine historic information about Ancient African empires and describe how they shaped modern ethnic groups

Describe the social structures of major African empires


Making Connections

            Determine size and relative location of Africa

Analyze the European colonial expansion into Africa

Analyze a map of Africa to determine the best places for people to settle

Summarize the effect of desertification on AfricaÕs land and population

Compare and contrast oral and written traditions

Draw conclusions about the manner in which societal needs and concerns are addressed

Critical Stance

Defend the impact of geography on the development of a community

Assess how the slave trade affected population, economic systems, family life, and relations between men and women in West and Central Africa

Predict how Africa will address the challenge of balancing its economic development and protecting their natural resources

Evaluate the influence of climate and vegetation on African economic activity

 

 

Unit 3:  North America

 

Examine the geography and cultures of North America.
Initial Understanding

Identify key physical features of the U.S. and Canada

Locate territories, provinces, and states

Identify similarities and differences between the governments of the United States and Canada

Developing an Interpretation

Describe the size and relative location of Canada and the U.S.

Explain why CanadaÕs people have remained culturally distinct

Describe the relationship between the United States and Canada based on shared physical features

Describe migration patterns of indigenous people across the continent

Explain how the U.S. gained independence from Great Britain

Making Connections

Summarize the contributions of the five economic regions of the United States

Compare and contrast the natural resources of Canada and the U.S.

Analyze the impact of geography on the settlement of people and on the economic resources of North America

Examine the effect of European settlements on Native Americans

Critical Stance

Evaluate how climate and vegetation patterns affect peopleÕs ways of life in Canada and the U.S.

Debate the success of failure of CanadaÕs indigenous peoples to preserve their culture

Defend or refute the importance of NAFTA

Draw conclusions about AmericaÕs role and policies as a world leader

 

Unit 4:  Latin America

Examine the impact of geography on the culture of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Initial Understanding

Describe and locate important landforms, water bodies and climates

List major imports and exports of the region

Identify important natural resources

Name early cultures that developed in Latin America

Identify characteristics of Caribbean cultures

Identify the major cultural groups living in South America

Define colonialism


Developing an Interpretation

Examine important landforms of the three Latin American regions

Describe patterns of climate regions and how they affect the way people live

Examine significant characteristics and achievements of the Mayan, Aztec and Incan civilizations

Analyze the influence of Ancient American Civilization, European colonialism, and recent events on societies in Latin America

Explain how geography influenced the ways Latin Americans make a living

Describe how the Incan civilization interacted with and changed their environment

Making Connections

Determine how European, African, and Native American cultures blended together to create unique Caribbean cultures

Deduce how Portuguese and Spanish became the major languages of Latin America

Categorize the major Caribbean islands physically and culturally

Determine what impact the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Basin had on cultural diversity

Summarize the current challenges facing these regions

 

Draw conclusions about how the regionsÕ history is reflected in its people today

Critical Stance

Judge the impact of European rule on the Native Americans in this region

Evaluate the success of Latin American nations as they strive to achieve economic independence

 

 

Unit 5:  Pacific World

Analyze the geography and cultures of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island region of Oceania.
Initial Understanding

Locate and label important physical features Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania

List main economic features of the region

Identify groups who settled in this region

Developing an Interpretation

Describe similarities and differences in climatic regions in Australia, New Zealand, and the islands

Examine economic influences

Explain how geography affects climate, vegetation, and animal life

Making Connections

Compare and contrast highlands and lowlands

Summarize the history of native populations and their interaction with their environment (Maori, Aborigines)

Analyze the British influence since Captain Cook

Discuss the economy of Australia and New Zealand

Determine how isolation, caused by the ocean, promoted cultural diversity

 

Analyze how Pacific Island nations have been influenced by other cultures

Critical Stance

Defend the native peoples rights to reclaim the land of their ancestors

Judge whether controlling countries are helping or hindering the progress of the people of the islands of Oceania

Debate whether tourism should be banned in fragile environments such as the Great Barrier Reef