Units

Unit 0: Essentials of Geography

Unit 1 introduces students to the study of the geography of world regions. Over the course of the year, 7th grade students will study Earth from a regional perspective, focusing on the continents. To encourage inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration, the study of geography has been constructed around four themes: places and regions, environment and resources, human systems, and applied geography. This unit will introduce students to these themes as well as the geographic skills used for geographic inquiry. These skills include map use and construction, model development and other data visualization, and gathering evidence and communicating findings to better understand the conditions at and among places.

Unit 1: North America

Unit 2 focuses on the continent of North America. North America is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique North American landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use inquiry and geography thinking skills to explore topics regarding the spatial patterns of Native American lands, the expansion of the United States, and the impact of globalization on the world.

Unit 2: Central America and the Caribbean

Central America is an isthmus that connects North and South America. The region has a unique cultural, economic, environmental, and physical role between North and South America. The Caribbean Islands are also included with the study of Central America. The Caribbean Islands are a chain of islands that form an archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Central America and the Caribbean Islands are geographically diverse with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique Central American and Caribbean landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore the issue of illegal immigration from this region and propose a solution to the problem.

Unit 3: South America

Unit 4 focuses on the continent of South America. South America is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique South American landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore current issues with the Amazon Rainforest and pose solutions to maintaining this important ecosystem while also allowing for economic development in this region.

Unit 4: Europe

Unit 5 focuses on the continent of Europe. Europe is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique European landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore the potential issues facing Europe due to the British exit of the European Union (Brexit) and offer solutions to help smooth the transition.

Unit 5: Russia and Eurasia

Unit 6 focuses on the unique cultures and regions that are present in Russia and Central Asia. Russia and Central Asia are a geographically diverse area, spanning between two continents, with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique Russian and Central Asian landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore current issues with the Aral Sea and pose solutions to help replenish the Aral Sea.

Unit 6: Sub-Saharan Africa

Unit 7 focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique African landscape and explore some of the challenges people in this region face. Students will develop an understanding of Africa which will enable them to make connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students will apply geography thinking skills to offer a solution to the problem of labor abuse in the diamond mines of this region.

Unit 7: Southwest Asia & North Africa

Unit 8 focuses on the region of Southwest Asia and North Africa with its rich natural and cultural resources which continues to guide the people who live there. The region is geographically diverse with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students apply geography thinking skills as they grapple with the issue of availability of water in this region.

Unit 8: South Asia

South Asia is a region which traces its roots back to the first known civilizations of the world. Due to its fertile valleys and seasonal rains, it continues to support one of the greatest population densities on the planet. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use inquiry and geography thinking skills to offer solutions to the issue of a rapidly growing population in this region.

Unit 9: East Asia

East Asia is a region with much diversity amongst the land and the people. Just as the topography changes as one moves from the west to the east (as the rivers run), the population density grows as well. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use applied geography skills to grapple with the question of who has the right to own the surrounding seas.

Unit 10: Southeast Asia

Unit 11 focuses on the region of Southeast Asia which includes mainland and island countries. The region is dependent upon access to rivers and coastlines for transportation and natural resources. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will participate in an inquiry that seeks the answer to the geographic problem of deforestation in this region of the world.

Unit 11: Australia, Pacific Realm, and Antarctica

Unit 12 focuses on the continent of Australia, Antarctica, and the southern Pacific region known as Oceania. Australia, Antarctica, and Oceania are a geographically diverse area with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students will use geography thinking skills to propose a solution to the predicament of melting glaciers.