Social Studies • Grade 7 Essential Curriculum

 

UNIT I:  European Geography and History

 

Goal  1.    Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the geographic characteristics of Europe. 750

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.               Identify Europe’s relative location in the world and the characteristics that make it a region. 750.01

b.              Describe the major geographic and climatic features of Europe and Russia. 750.02

c.              Identify selected countries and major cities of the region. 750.03

 

Goal  2.   Students will demonstrate the ability to examine the history of Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empire. 751.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.            Describe the location of Ancient Greece and explain the reasons for its location. 751.01

b.            Give reasons for the rise of Ancient Greece and cite examples of its contributions and major achievements to the world.  751.02

c.            Compare and contrast the social and political structure of Athens and Sparta. 751.03

d.            Explain the decline of Ancient Greece. 751.04

            Prioritize and justify the reasons for the decline of Ancient Greece. 751.04G/T

e.            Describe the impact of Alexander of Macedonia’s conquests and the subsequent spread of Hellenistic culture. 751.05

f.            Describe the location of Ancient Rome and explain the reasons for its location. 751.06

g.            Give reasons for the rise of the Roman Empire and cite examples of its contributions and major achievements to the world. 751.07

h.            Describe and analyze the fall of the Roman Empire. 751.08

Prioritize and justify the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire. 751.08G/T

i.               Identify the achievements and contributions of the Byzantine

Empire. 751.09

Interpret the role of the Byzantine civilization as a preserver of Greco-Roman culture.  G/T 751.09

 

 

G/T Inquiry  How have cultural elements of the ancient world had a lasting impact into modern times? Trace elements of Greek and Roman culture as they are evident in the cultures of today.

 

 

UNIT II:  European Geography, History and Contemporary Issues

Goal 1.  Students will demonstrate the ability to examine the cultural effects of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.753.00

 

                        Objectives – The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.              Explain the factors that led to the development of Feudalism. 753.01

b.              Identify and explain the political, social, and economic aspects of life in Medieval Europe. 753.02

c.              Describe the influences of Slavic, Viking, and Byzantine cultures on the development of Russian society.  753.03

d.            Explain how the Crusades impacted the expansion of Christian Europe. 753.04           

e.            Describe the origins, development, and impact of the European Renaissance. 753.05

f.            Analyze the lasting effects of the Mongol invasion on the culture of Russia and Europe. 753.06

 

Goal  2.       Students will demonstrate the ability to examine the geography and natural resources of contemporary Europe. 754.00

 

Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.     Identify selected countries and major cities of the region. 754.01

b.     List and analyze the major natural resources and products of Europe. 754.02

Predict settlement patterns of major cities based on available resources including natural physical features. G/T 754.02

c.     Interpret the environmental consequences that resulted from political decisions of the former government of the Soviet Union. 754.03

 

Goal  3.         Students will demonstrate the ability to understand regional issues in Europe and Russia. 755.00

 

                        Objectives -The student will demonstrate the ability to:

 

a.            Explain the rise and downfall of communism in the former Soviet Bloc countries. 755.01

b.            Explain and compare the economic and social challenges facing the new democracies of Eastern Europe. 755.03

Select a current issue in one of the former Soviet Republics and evaluate the relative importance of economic well being versus democratic freedom. G/T 755.03.

c.            Describe and analyze how ethnic and religious differences tend to divide the people of the nations of these regions. 755.04

d.            Describe and analyze how European nations are cooperating to compete in the global economy through the European Union. 755.05

e.              Analyze a selected contemporary issue and predict possible future trends in Europe and/or Russia. 755.06

 

G/T Inquiry  

1.  How has the multiethnic nature of the countries of this region contributed to both its cultural richness and its political instability?

2.  How did the breakup of the Soviet Union and the opening of the Iron Curtain affect the region and the world?

 

UNIT III:  Latin America

 

Goal  1.         Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the geographic characteristics of Latin America. 756.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.            Identify the relative location of Latin America and the characteristics that make it a region. 756.01

b.            Identify selected countries and major cities of Latin America. 756.02

c.            Describe the major geographic and climatic features of Latin America. 756.03

d.            List the major natural resources and products of Latin America. 756.04

Evaluate the environmental, political, economic, and social effects of modernization on the rainforest biome. G/T 756.04

             

Goal  2.  Students will demonstrate the ability to examine the history of Latin America. 757.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.            Analyze the causes and consequences of the Age of Exploration. 757.01

b.             Compare and contrast the characteristics and achievements of the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca Empires. 757.02

                              c.            Analyze the effects of the “Columbian Exchange” on the eastern

                                       and  western hemispheres. 757.03

d.            Describe the social classes that developed in colonial Latin America. 757.04

e.            Identify the causes and effects of one or more of the various independence movements in Latin America. 757.05

Compare the independence process and its aftermath between the United States and the countries of Latin America. G/T 757.05

GT Inquiry: Examine the colonial experience and independence process for several selected Latin American nations. Compare those nations with the colonial experience and independence movement of the United States. How have the colonial experiences and independence process for the United States and Latin America accounted for the differences between these countries today?

Goal  3.  Students will demonstrate the ability to understand the cultural heritage of Latin America. 758.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:                                 

 

a.              Describe the influence of the Catholic Church on Latin American 758.01

b.              Explain why the nations of Latin America have had difficulty building stable governments. 758.02

c.            Assess the impact of population growth and economic factors on the environment, 758.03

Analyze the impact of physical features and climate on the population distribution of Latin America.  G/T 758.03

d.            Using a variety of economic and demographic data, identify and justify the development status of selected Latin American countries and compare them to other nations in the world. 758.04

e.            Analyze a contemporary issue facing Latin America and predict possible future trends after reading a selection on a Latin American nation. (Reading to be Informed -  Critical Analysis). 758.05

 

UNIT IV:            Canada & The United States

 

Goal  1.  Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the geographic characteristics of Canada and the US. 759.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.     Identify the relative location of the United States and Canada and the characteristics that make them a region. 759.01

b.     Identify the major political subdivisions and cities of the United States and Canada (provinces/territories and states). 759.02

c.     Describe the major geographic and climatic features of Canada and the US. 759.03

d.     Identify the major natural resources and products of Canada and the US. and explain how they impact the economies of both nations. 759.04

Predict settlement patterns of major cities based on available resources including natural physical features.  G/T 759.04

 

Goal  2.  Students will demonstrate the ability to examine the history of Canada. 760.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

a.             Explain how settlement patterns in Canada are linked to colonization by England and France. 760.01

b.            Explain how Canada became an independent nation. 760.02

c.            Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a bilingual nation after reading an article on Quebec, Canada.  (Reading to be Informed – Personal Reflection Response)  760.03

Predict the effect on Canada and their relationship with other nations if Quebec became independent. G/T 760.03

d.        Identify recent territory/province developments in Canada 760.04

 

G/T Inquiry Compare the current political and economic status of native peoples of Canada and the United States.

 

Goal  3.  Students will demonstrate the ability to understand the cultural heritage of Canada and the US. 761.00

 

                        Objectives - The student will demonstrate the ability to:

 

a.            Compare Canada’s and the United Sates’ Federal form of government (unicameral versus bicameral). 761.01

b.            Describe and give examples of environmental problems that affects both Canada and the United States. 761.02

c.            Read and analyze two or more thematic maps to assess the location and development of urban areas in the United States. (Reading to be Informed – Critical Analysis) 761.03

Analyze the geographic, environmental, historical, and economic factors which led to the location of major industrial centers along the East Coast of the United States. G/T 761.03

d.             Describe how the United States is a pluralistic society consisting of diverse cultures, customs, and traditions. 761.04

            Describe the waves of immigration to the United States based on geographical and historical factors.  G/T 761.04

e.            Determine the role the United States seeks to play in the global society. 761.05

Analyze the influence of the media on current political topics in the United States, including recognizing bias in reporting. G/T 761.05

f.               Analyze a selected contemporary issue facing Canada or the US and predict possible future trends. 761.06

g.              Analyze the relationship that has developed between the US and Canada.  761.07

 

G/T Inquiry - Using case studies, examine the ways in which ethnic groups have maintained cultural identity and assimilated into American Society.