Course Rationale:
All events of our world directly and indirectly affect us, therefore we need to have a clear understanding of how the world and its people work together.
Only by studying the relationships we have with other people and the relationships we have with our environment will we come to understand our place and purpose in the world.
We seek to understand ourselves by first seeking to understand others. We study the past and present, the environment, and cultures to do so.
That is how we become good citizens of the world, by knowing how we at Prairie Middle School fit into the scheme of things in the world.
Aim:
For all students to acquire, arrange, and analyze understanding(s) of physical and human geography, and to be able to apply this knowledge of understanding to their lives and to the lives of others. This happens in 7th grade by noting the similarities and differences by comparing and contrasting.
It is important for students to understand that people do not simply live the way they do in a particular area of the world, just because. Societies are largely impacted through the physical geography of the area and past historical experiences.
Physical geography is land, water, resources, agriculture, climate, plants, and animals.
Human geography is the culture of a people; their language, government, religions, architecture and art, fashions, jobs and economy, music and dance.
Essential Questions:
General:
What are the standards and benchmarks?
What do I need to do in order to be successful in this class?
How can I contribute positively with my actions to the classroom environment?
Content Specific:
What are maps, charts, graphs, and tables telling me?
How can we maintain an environment to support life?
What can we do to promote strong economies?
What have we learned from our past?
Do we understand each others' cultures?
Standard(s)
People and Their Environment
• Explains how people have changed, or adapted to their environment.
• Summarizes various climate types and how they effect the way people live.
People and Their History/Culture
• Compares/contrasts one culture to another.
• Decribes significant events of the past that have shaped current issues.
• Identifies major cultural traits for a region/country.
• Summarizes citizenship and types of government for a region/country.
People and Their Resources/Economy
• Compares past economic systems to present in particular regions.
• Describes the level of development for various countries.
Tools of Geography
• Constructs (makes) different types of maps, charts, tables, graphs, and time-lines.
• Identifies critical locations.
• Uses a combination of maps, charts, tables, and graphs to better understand and explain what a geographic "place" is like.
Portfolio Requirements:
Students will take location pre/post tests at the beginning and completion of the school year. (Pre tests are not graded but post test are compiled into the final 3rd trimester grade)Small vocabulary/location quizzes will be given throughout the year as they relate to that particular region of the world. In addition, weekly/bi weekly quizzes (5-10 pts.) will be used to assess students learning of the major concepts covered during that week. These small quizzes are standards based with questions being selected in relationship to (Tools of Geog, Environment, Economy and History) as it pertains to a particular region of the world. Unit projects completed during each trimester are also standards based.
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