Unit 3
History & Prehistory
November into February (10 weeks)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Some pages might be updating to new curriculum for 7th and 8th grade
History & Prehistory
November into February (10 weeks)
In this unit, students study and map the physical and human geography of Central and South America. Topics include: The Physical and Human Geography of Latin America, Early Civilizations in the Americas, Spatial Inequality in Urban Areas: A Look at Mexico City, Indigenous Cultures: The Survival of the Maya of Mesoamerica, Dealing with Extreme Weather: Hurricanes in the Caribbean, Land Use Conflict in the Amazon Rainforest, and Life in the Central Andes: Adapting to a Mountainous Region.
How can we describe the physical and human geography of Latin America?
What do we know about the ancient civilizations in the Americas?
Why does spatial inequality exist in urban areas?
How do Indigenous peoples preserve their traditional culture while adapting to modern life?
What causes extreme weather, and how do people deal with it?
How should the resources of rainforests be used and preserved?
How do people adapt to living in a mountainous region?
Social Studies
Label physical and political maps of the region.
Use latitude and longitude to identify locations on a map.
Identify and describe characteristics of the region’s physical and human geography by using maps and charts.
Practice layering geographic information, similar to geographic information systems (GIS).
Compare and analyze information presented on different types of maps of the same region.
Recognize the role of traditions, including oral traditions, across cultures, past and present.
Explain why our knowledge about the first people to live in the Americas continues to evolve.
Identify the features of early Indigenous civilizations in the Americas.
Discuss theories about the collapse of early Indigenous civilizations in the Americas.
Compare early Indigenous civilizations in the Americas.
Identify causes and consequences of urbanization.
Explain how spatial inequality affects people living in Mexico City.
Examine standards of living around the world to understand that spatial inequality exists on a global scale.
Create interactive dramatizations that demonstrate the ways in which Indigenous peoples in the highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas have preserved their traditional Maya culture and have also adapted to modern life.
Identify the successes and challenges of Indigenous peoples around the world in maintaining their traditional cultures in the modern world.
Describe the weather conditions that cause a hurricane to form and strengthen.
Identify ways in which people deal with hurricanes in the Caribbean.
Analyze the relationship between El Niño and extreme weather around the world.
Examine the views of groups who have an interest in the preservation or use of the resources of the Amazon rainforest.
Analyze and discuss a series of questions to understand the competing viewpoints of these various groups.
Investigate ideas about addressing land use conflict in the rainforest, and determine which would be most applicable to the Amazon region.
Describe the physical characteristics of four elevation zones: tierra caliente, tierra templada, tierra fría, and tierra helada.
Identify ways in which people of the central Andes have adapted to life in each of the four elevation zones.
Analyze the impact of retreating mountain glaciers on people living in mountainous regions around the world.
Language Arts
Summarize information that is presented graphically in writing.
Support a claim with evidence and reasoning in writing.
Draw conclusions from text, images, and videos.
Use evidence to support a claim.
Interpret information that is presented orally.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Write informative text to explain a topic.
Research information to answer a specific question.
Synthesize information obtained from a variety of sources.
Present information orally and in writing.
Organize information to write an explanation.
Select relevant details to support a main idea.
Identify a range of opinions on a topic.
Present information orally and in writing.
Create an argument, and support it with evidence and reasoning.
Organize information to write explanations.
Choose relevant details to support a main idea.
NJ Student Learning Standards for (Content Area):
6.2.8.GeoHE.4.a:.Explain how geography influenced the development of the political, economic, and cultural centers of each empire as well as the empires’ relationships with other parts of the world.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.4.g:.Evaluate the importance and enduring legacy of the major achievements of the people living Asia, Africa (Islam), Europe and the Americas over time.
6.TIA.1.After thoroughly investigating questions, taking informed action means building consensus about possible actions and planning strategically to implement change. Democracy requires citizens to practice discussion, negotiation, coalition-seeking, and peaceful conflict resolution. When appropriate, taking informed action involves creating and/or implementing action plans designed to solve problems and create positive change.
6.2.8.GeoHE.4.c:.Explain how the geographies and climates of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas influenced their economic development and interaction or isolation with other societies.
6.2.8.HistorySE.1.a:.Explain how archaeological discoveries are used to develop and enhance understanding of life prior to written records.
6.PAaE.1.Using a variety of formats designed for a purpose and an authentic audience forms the basis for clear communication. Strong arguments contain claims with organized evidence and valid reasoning that respects the diversity of the world and the dignity of each person. Writing findings and engaging in civil discussion with an audience provides a key step in the process of thinking critically about conclusions and continued inquiry.
NJSLS English Language Arts Content Companion Standards
RH.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
RH.6-8.6. Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
WHST.6-8.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, voice, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
WHST.6-8.9. Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
RH.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RH.6-8.7. Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
RH.6-8.8.Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
WHST.6-8.2. Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes. A.Introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information using text structures (e.g. definition, classification, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, etc.) and text features (e.g. headings, graphics, and multimedia) when useful to aiding comprehension. B.Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. C.Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. D.Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. E.Establish and maintain a formal/academic style, approach, and form. F.Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
NJSLStandards - Technology and other content areas
8.1 Educational Technology
All students will use digital tools to access, manage, evaluate, and synthesize information in order to solve problems individually and collaborate and create and communicate knowledge.
8.1.8.DA.CI: People use digital devices and tools to automate the collection, use, and transformation of data.