7th+Grade+Social+Studies


 * //__ 7th Grade Social Studies __//**

** "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead ** 

** The 7th grade curriculum for social studies consists of building upon prior knowledge in the studies of North Carolina, America, Europe, and South America while making connections with new knowledge gained from Africa, Asia, and Australia. The theme focuses on geography, especially the various cultures associated with each area. By making connections and understanding different lifestyles, the students will be able to make more informed decisions which will lead to them developing more citizen skills. [|NCSCOS] ** 
 * There are 13 specific goals the NCSCOS addresses: **
 * Goal 1: Understand geographical concepts by using prior knowledge. **


 * 1. Create different models to show information about Asia, Africa, and Australia.

**
 * 2. Create new knowledge and hypotheses using tools and abstract thinking. **


 * 3. Look for similarities and differences among the recently studied geographic areas. **


 * Goal 2: Establish the relationship between culture and geography. **
 * 1. Note physical attributes of countries. **

4. Look at connections between specialization, interdependence, and trade. **
 * 2. Discuss migratory origins, and how they affected the people and land. **
 * 3. Look at push and pull factors of emigration/immigration. **
 * Goal 3: Recognize consequences of human lifestyles on the environment. **
 * 1. Look at land viability in these areas and how this has influenced the people living there. **
 * 2. Understand human impact on the environment. **
 * 3. Understand technology's impact on the environment. **
 * 4. Look at nature's impact on the environment and on people. **
 * Goal 4: See how migration and trade impacted these areas. **
 * 1. Investigate the causes behind these patterns, and the effects they had on society as a unit. **
 * 2. Consider the trade influence factor. **
 * 3. Look at the social mores, taboos, and values. **
 * Goal 5: Look at the different lifestyles the people in these countries lead and see how it contributes to the wealth and health of the nation. **
 * 1. Understand the importance natural resources have on societies. **
 * 2. Analyze effectiveness of economic systems. **
 * 3. Compare the standards of living and look at how it relates to having fewer resources. **
 * Goal 6: See how wealth and quality of living relate to each other. **
 * 1. Look at importance of education, economic means, and health. **
 * 2. See connections between technology, education and economic growth in countries. **
 * 3. Relate over-specialization to standard of living. **
 * Goal 7: Understand the importance of past events that occurred in the country and how it still affects the people’s lifestyles there today. **
 * 1. Look at crucial turning points in the history of these countries and how it is still effecting them today. **
 * 2. Look at causes and effects, both significant and insignificant, of historical moments. **


 * Goal 8: Recognize other groups contributed to the lifestyle led by the people in these regions. **
 * 1. Look at the effects of certain leaders and revolutionaries. **
 * 2. Look at the impact of dominant groups in a country. **
 * 3. Look at how technological advances affected the society. **
 * Goal 9: Understand the various forms of government. **
 * 1. Look at the origins of government and its various institutions. **
 * 2. Compare the multiple ideas and effectiveness of the varying governments. **
 * 3. Look at legal systems work and how values or religion influences or does not influence governments. **
 * 4. Look at the process by which government heads are authorized. Compare the processes to the one in the United States. **
 * Goal 10: Understand and differentiate between Africa, Asia, and Australia's citizenship attainment and duties asociated with this. **

2. Understand documents that were written or obtained in helping make these changes. ** 3. Compare the role of a citizen in the U.S. to one in a city in Asia, Africa, or Australia. ** 4. Look at the relationship between the stability of a country and the sense of citizenship. **
 * 1. Look at how the relationship between citizens and their leader has changed through the years. **

2. Compare human basics and human desires paying close attention to cultural influence factors. **
 * Goal 11: Understand distinct cultural traits of Africa, Asia, and Australia. **
 * 1. Define culture and the role it plays in a country. **
 * 3. Look at the effects culture has on society's infrastructure. **
 * 4. Look at how changes in society have affected culture. **
 * Goal 12: Look at the impact of religion or values on societies in Asia, Africa, and Australia **** . **
 * 1. Look at dominant religious groups in each area and how they have affected society. **
 * 2. Look at the links between culture and religion, imparticularly in art, music and design. **
 * 3. Understand the importance of cultural elements and sharing of cultures in regard to growth in living standards. **

2. Look at cultural influences on contemporary aspects of North Carolina and the U.S. ** 3. Understand relationships established through global trading and the impact this system makes. **
 * Goal 13: Compare and contrast U.S., Asia, Africa, and Australia. **
 * 1. Look at connections between U.S. migratory shifts and expansion to specific spots in these other countries. **
 * As always, when teaching, resources are wonderful tools for applying these standards to any classroom. The following links can provide tips & ideas: **


 * [|National Education Standards] Provides guidance and support while outlining the main initiatives of the United States Curriculum. Access to lesson plan ideas, professional development, and technology use in the classroom.

[|NC Public Schools Resources] Offers lots of resources specifically for middle grade teachers. **


 * [|Middle Web] ** ** Middle level educators unite to discuss topics and lesson plans, hold on-line forums, and read articles that may help them succeed in the classroom. ****

[|Moodle] **** Looking for a way to implement technology both inside and outside of the classroom? The Moodle tool helps teachers communicate with their students through fun, exciting, innovative ways on the web. This short Youtube video clip shows how a middle school teacher uses it in her classroom today and how easy it is to set up and implement. Afraid you are not covering all of the information necessary in class? Provide fun outlets for students to find and use information on this tool and assign for meaningful homework.

**Social Studies Home Page Sixth Grade Social Studies Eight Grade Social Studies