2018-2019

7th Grade/Social Studies

Curriculum Plan

May 9, 2018
St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
By the end of the year students will…
will be prepared with fundamental geographic knowledge to prepare them for their study of cultures, regions, and
their involvement in a global society.
Quarter 1
Africa
6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze laws,
policies and processes to determine how governmental
systems affect individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a
people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical and human
characteristics of places and regions are connected to human
identities and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast the human
characteristics within and among contemporary and historic
regions over time.
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of the world.
6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms of the world.
Standards Pacing By Quarter
Quarter 2
Europe and Russia
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens,
analyze the laws and governmental systems of
a place in order to determine their effects on
individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens,
analyze laws, policies and processes to
determine how governmental systems affect
individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.G.A Create and use maps, graphs,
statistics, and geospatial technology in order to
explain relationships and reveal spatial patterns
or trends.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-
environmental interactions shape people and
places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of
people, goods, and ideas impact regions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.A Compare and contrast the
human characteristics within and among
regions.
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
Quarter 3 Quarter 4
The Americas Asia
6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, 6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze
analyze laws, policies and processes to laws, policies and processes to determine how
determine how governmental systems governmental systems affect individuals and groups in
affect individuals and groups in society. society.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a
to explain a people’s perspective and use
people’s perspective and use of place.
of place.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical and human
and human characteristics of places and
characteristics of places and regions are connected to
regions are connected to human identities
human identities and cultures.
and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast the human
the human characteristics within and
characteristics within and among contemporary and
among contemporary and historic regions
historic regions over time.
over time.
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of the world.
the world.
6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms 6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms of the
of the world. world.
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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of human settlement
activities on the environmental and cultural characteristic of
specific places and regions.
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the laws
and governmental systems of a place in order to determine
their effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental
interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods,
and ideas impact regions
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic systems to explain their
impact on peoples’ behavior and choices.
Unit 1
6-8.GEO.2.PC.B Explain how groups and
institutions of a place develop to meet peoples’
needs.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.C Analyze the relationship
between the physical environment and cultural
traditions to determine their impact on
individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.D Analyze religion and belief
systems of a place to determine their impact on
people, groups, and cultures.
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of human
human settlement activities on the
settlement activities on the environmental and cultural
environmental and cultural characteristic of
characteristic of specific places and regions.
specific places and regions.
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens,
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the
analyze the laws and governmental
laws and governmental systems of a place in order to
systems of a place in order to determine
determine their effects on individuals, groups, and
their effects on individuals, groups, and
institutions.
institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental
environmental interactions shape people
interactions shape people and places.
and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement 6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people,
of people, goods, and ideas impact regions goods, and ideas impact regions
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic systems to explain
systems to explain their impact on peoples’
their impact on peoples’ behavior and choices.
behavior and choices.
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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

Standards for Quarter 1:
Theme 1: Tools of Social Science Inquiry Strand 1 History: Continuity and Change
Theme 2: World Geography and Cultures Strand 2.Government Systems and Principles
Strand 3. Geographical Study
Strand 4. Economic Concepts
Strand 5. People, Groups and Cultures

Essential Standards Supporting Standards

6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze laws, policies and processes to determine how
governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical and human characteristics of places and regions are connected to
human identities and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among contemporary and historic
regions over time.
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of the world.
6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms of the world.
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural
characteristic of specific places and regions.
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the laws and governmental systems of a place in order to
determine their effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods, and ideas impact regions
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic systems to explain their impact on peoples’ behavior and choices.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.E Describe how a peoples’ culture is expressed through their art, architecture and
literature.
6-8.GEO.1.EC.A Using a geographic lens, evaluate economic decisions to determine costs and
benefits on society
6-8.GEO.2.GS.B Draw conclusions about how laws impact the development of a place and how a
place impacts the development of laws
6-8.GEO.2.PC.A Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among regions
6-8.GEO.2.PC.B Explain how groups and institutions of a place develop to meet peoples’ needs.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.C Analyze the relationship between the physical environment and cultural traditions to
determine their impact on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.D Analyze religion and belief systems of a place to determine their impact on people,
groups, and cultures.

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

Topic and Essential Questions Learning Targets Essential Resources

Timeline Vocabulary
Essentials of What is culture? Students can identify the 7 continents and 4 Globalization
Geography major oceans. Latitude
Why should we be interested in/study Longitude
5 Themes of Geography-Movement,
August other cultures? Students can find locations using latitude and
Region, Human-Environment
(2 weeks) longitude. Interaction, Location, Place
What story do maps, graphs, charts, Archipelago
and timelines tell? Students can provide examples of the 5 Isthmus
Themes of Geography. Strait
What is globalization and how does it Hemisphere
impact the world today? Students can read and interpret maps.

How do physical and human geography

affect people, places, and regions?

North Africa Why does the history of North Africa Students can describe common Islam
and The and the Middle East matter today? characteristics of North African and Middle Judaism
Middle East Eastern culture. Arab Spring
How do the physical and human Persian Gulf War
August- geography of North Africa and the Students can describe the impact of historical Sunni
September Middle East affect people, places and events on North Africa and the Middle East Shiite
(4 weeks) regions? today. Syrian Refugee Crisis
Secularism
Students can describe the impact of the North Theistic
African and Middle Eastern government on its
Why do we study North African and citizens in the past and today. Major landforms/bodies of water, countries
Middle Eastern culture and what does Students can explain how the people of North and cities in North Africa and the Middle
it teach us? Africa and the Middle East interact with their East:
environment.
What makes North African and Middle Sahara Desert
Eastern unique? Students can develop compelling questions
and research geography and history of the Suez Canal, Nile River, Tigris River,
region. Euphrates River, Mediterranean Sea, Red
Sea, Persian Gulf

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey,

Syria, Afghanistan, Israel, Kuwait, Libya
Cairo, Mecca, Riyadh, Jerusalem,
Baghdad, Kabul

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
Sub-Saharan Why does the history of Africa South
Africa of the Sahara matter today?
How do the physical and human
September- geography of Africa South of the
October Sahara affect people, places and
regions?
(4 weeks)
Why do we study African South of the
Saharan culture and what does it
teach us?
What makes Africa South of the
Sahara unique?
Students can describe common
characteristics of African culture.
Students can describe the impact of historical
events on Africa South of the Sahara today.
Students can describe the impact of African
governments on its citizens in the past and
today.
Students can explain how the people of Africa
South of the Sahara interact with their
environment.
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
Colonialism Quarter 1 Exam
Apartheid
Major landforms/bodies of water, countries
and cities of Africa South of the Sahara:
Sahara Desert, Mount Kilimanjaro,
Kalahari Desert, Great Rift Valley, Congo
Basin
Lake Victoria, Atlantic Ocean, Indian
Ocean, Nile River
South Africa, Madagascar, Kenya,
Somalia, Sudan/South Sudan, Nigeria,
Sierra Leone
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi,
Mogadishu
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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

nit 2 7th Grade World Cultures and Civilizations

Standards for Quarter 2:
Theme 1: Tools of Social Science Inquiry Strand 1 History: Continuity and Change
Theme 2: World Geography and Cultures Strand 2.Government Systems and Principles
Strand 3. Geographical Study
Strand 4. Economic Concepts
Strand 5. People, Groups and Cultures

Essential Standards Supporting Standards

6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the laws and governmental systems of a place in order to
determine their effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze laws, policies and processes to determine how
governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.G.A Create and use maps, graphs, statistics, and geospatial technology in order to explain
relationships and reveal spatial patterns or trends.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods, and ideas impact regions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.A Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among regions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.B Explain how groups and institutions of a place develop to meet peoples’ needs.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.C Analyze the relationship between the physical environment and cultural traditions to
determine their impact on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.D Analyze religion and belief systems of a place to determine their impact on people, groups,
and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.CC.B Evaluate historical solutions to problems within and among regions in order to draw
conclusions about current and future decisions.
6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Explain how regions of the world change over time in relation to historical events and
trends and the human characteristics of place.
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C With assistance, develop a research plan, identify appropriate resources for
investigating social studies topics and create a research product which applies an aspect of geography
to a contemporary issue.
6-8.GEO.2.G.A Describe how physical processes shape the environment of a place.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods, and ideas impact regions.

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

Topic and Essential Questions Learning Targets Essential Resources

Timeline
Europe Why does the history of Europe
matter today?
October-
November How do the physical and human
geography of Europe affect people,
places and regions?
Why do we study European culture
and what does it teach us?
What makes Europe unique?
Vocabulary
Students can describe common characteristics Democracy Time-What The World Eats
of Western and Eastern European countries. Socialism
European Union
Students can describe the impact of historical Constitutional Monarchy
events on Europe today. Chernobyl
Students can describe the importance of the Green Energy
EU. Public infrastructure
Market economy
Students can explain how the people of
Europe interact with their environment. Major landforms/bodies of water, countries
and cities of Europe:
Students can develop compelling questions
and research history Alps

Students can develop and test claims and
counter-claims to address their questions.
Students can describe how major historical
events changed their culture.
Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean,
English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, Black
Sea
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain,
Italy, Greece, Poland, Ukraine, Czech
Republic, Norway, Sweden, Finland,
Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Ireland

Budapest, London, Madrid, Paris, Kiev,

Berlin, Rome, Warsaw, Athens, Dublin

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
Russia Why does the history of Russia
matter today?
December
How do the physical and human
geography of Russia affect people,
places and regions?
Why do we study Russian culture
and what does it teach us?
What makes Russia unique?
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
Students can describe common characteristics KGB Quarter 2 Exam
of eastern and western Russian culture. Cold War
Communism
Students can describe the impact of historical Oligarchy
events on Russia today.
Major landforms/bodies of water, countries
Students can describe the impact of the and cities of Russia:
Russian government on its citizens in the past
and today. Ural Mountains, Siberia
Lake Baikal, Caspian Sea, Arctic Ocean,
Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Black Sea,
Volga River
Moscow, St. Petersburg
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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

7th Grade World Cultures and Civilizations

Standards for Quarter 3:
Theme 1: Tools of Social Science Inquiry Strand 1 History: Continuity and Change
Theme 2: World Geography and Cultures Strand 2.Government Systems and Principles
Strand 3. Geographical Study
Strand 4. Economic Concepts
Strand 5. People, Groups and Cultures

Essential Standards Supporting Standards

6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze laws, policies and processes to determine how
governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical and human characteristics of places and regions are connected to
human identities and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among contemporary and historic
regions over time.
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of the world.
6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms of the world.
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural
characteristic of specific places and regions.
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the laws and governmental systems of a place in order to
determine their effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods, and ideas impact regions
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic systems to explain their impact on peoples’ behavior and choices.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.E Describe how a peoples’ culture is expressed through their art, architecture and
literature.
6-8.GEO.1.EC.A Using a geographic lens, evaluate economic decisions to determine costs and
benefits on society
6-8.GEO.2.GS.B Draw conclusions about how laws impact the development of a place and how a
place impacts the development of laws
6-8.GEO.2.PC.A Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among regions
6-8.GEO.2.PC.B Explain how groups and institutions of a place develop to meet peoples’ needs.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.C Analyze the relationship between the physical environment and cultural traditions to
determine their impact on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.D Analyze religion and belief systems of a place to determine their impact on people,
groups, and cultures.

Unit 3

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
Topics and Essential Questions
Timeline
Latin America Why does the history of Latin
America matter today?
January
How do the physical and human
geography of Latin America
affect people, places and
regions?
Why do we study Latin American
culture and what does it teach
us?
What makes Latin America
unique?
The United Why does the history of United
States and States and Canada matter
Canada today?
February-March
How do the physical and human
geography of United States and
Canada affect people, places
and regions?
Why do we study the culture of
United States and Canada and
what does it teach us?
What makes United States and
Canada unique?
Learning Targets
Describe common characteristics of Latin
American culture.
Describe the impact of historical events on
Latin America today.
Describe the impact of Latin American
governments on its citizens in the past and
today.
Explain how the people of Latin America
interact with their environment.
Students can describe common characteristics
of Canadian and American culture.
Students can describe the impact of Canadian
and American governments on its citizens in
the past and today
Students can explain how the people of
Canada and the United States interact with
their environment.
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
Essential Resources
Vocabulary
Mestizo
Deforestation
Major landforms/bodies of water, countries and
cities in Latin America:
Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains,
Atacama Desert
Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico,
Caribbean Sea, Amazon River, Panama Canal
México, Brazil, Panamá, Argentina, Chile,
Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Honduras, Perú,
Haiti, Dominican Republic
Mexico City, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos
Aires, Havana
Representative Democracy Quarter 3 Exam
Parliament
First world peoples/Native Americans
Capitalism
Major landforms/bodies of water, countries and
cities of the United States and Canada:
Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains,
Great Plains
Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean,
Mississippi River, Bering Sea, Gulf of Mexico,
Great Lakes, Missouri River, Rio Grande
United States, Canada, all 50 US states (US
regions -- Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
All 50 US capitals, Washington D.C., Ottawa,
Ontario, Quebec, Toronto, Kansas City, St.
Louis
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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum 7th Grade World Cultures and Geography

7th Grade World Cultures and Civilizations

Standards for Quarter 4:
Theme 1: Tools of Social Science Inquiry Strand 1 History: Continuity and Change
Theme 2: World Geography and Cultures Strand 2.Government Systems and Principles
Strand 3. Geographical Study
Strand 4. Economic Concepts
Strand 5. People, Groups and Cultures

Essential Standards Supporting Standards

6-8.GEO.1.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze laws, policies and processes to determine how
governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.B Explain how the physical and human characteristics of places and regions are connected
to human identities and cultures.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.C Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among contemporary and
historic regions over time.
6-8.GEO.1.G.E Locate the major nations of the world.
6-8.GEO.1.G.F Locate the major landforms of the world.
6-8.GEO.2.CC.C Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural
characteristic of specific places and regions.
6-8.GEO.2.GS.A Using a geographic lens, analyze the laws and governmental systems of a place in order
to determine their effects on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.G.C Explain how human-environmental interactions shape people and places.
6-8.GEO.2.G.D Explain how the movement of people, goods, and ideas impact regions
6-8.GEO.2.EC.D Analyze economic systems to explain their impact on peoples’ behavior and choices.
6-8.GEO.1.PC.A Analyze material culture to explain a people’s perspective and use of place.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.E Describe how a peoples’ culture is expressed through their art, architecture and
literature.
6-8.GEO.1.EC.A Using a geographic lens, evaluate economic decisions to determine costs and benefits
on society
6-8.GEO.2.GS.B Draw conclusions about how laws impact the development of a place and how a place
impacts the development of laws
6-8.GEO.2.PC.A Compare and contrast the human characteristics within and among regions
6-8.GEO.2.PC.B Explain how groups and institutions of a place develop to meet peoples’ needs.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.C Analyze the relationship between the physical environment and cultural traditions to
determine their impact on individuals, groups, and institutions.
6-8.GEO.2.PC.D Analyze religion and belief systems of a place to determine their impact on people,
groups, and cultures.

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St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum
Topics and Essential Questions
Timeline
East and Why does the history of East and
Southeast SE Asia matter today?
Asia
How do the physical and human
geography of East and SE Asia
April
affect people, places and regions?
Why do we study East and SE Asia
culture and what does it teach us?
What makes East and SE Asia
unique?
South Asia Why does the history of South Asia
matter today?
May
How do the physical and human
geography of South Asia affect
people, places and regions?
Why do we study South Asian
culture and what does it teach us?
What makes South Asia unique?
Priority Standards Breakdown (DESE Document)
Standards Coverage By Grades (DESE Document)
7th Grade World Cultures and Geography
Learning Targets Essential Resources
Vocabulary
Students can describe common Buddhism
characteristics of East and Southeast Asian Shintoism
culture. Totalitarianism
Tsunami
Students can describe the impact of historical
events on East and Southeast Asia today. Major landforms/bodies of water, countries
and cities in East Asia:
Students can describe the impact of the East
and Southeast Asian government on its Islands/archipelagos, Himalayas, Gobi Desert
citizens in the past and today
Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Huang He
Students can explain how the people of East (Yellow) River, Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River
and Southeast Asia interact with their
environment. China, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South
Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia
Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul,
Pyongyang, Hanoi
Students can describe common Hinduism Quarter 4 Exam
characteristics of South Asian culture Sikhism
Caste System
Students can describe the impact of historical Gandhi
events on South Asia today Monsoons
Students can describe the impact of the Major landforms/bodies of water, countries and
South Asian government on its citizens in the cities of South Asia
past and today
Himalayas, Mount Everest, Indian Subcontinent,
Students can explain how the people of South Indus River, Ganges River, Indian Ocean
Asia interact with their environment.
India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
New Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta),
Islamabad
Appendix
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