Unit 1: The Geography of the Western Hemisphere

Essential question: How does geography determine culture?

Children will:

● use map skills when looking at maps, globes, and aerial photos

● identify various types of maps

● identify and locate specific countries, regions, and continents of the Western Hemisphere and their features

● identify physical features located in each region

● evaluate how political boundaries change over time

● examine characteristics of various economic systems

● identify major industries and natural resources of the United States, Mexico, and Canada

● evaluate the import and export history of the Western Hemisphere

Unit 2: Early Societies of the Western Hemisphere

Essential question: How does the physical environment of the Western Hemisphere influence human actions?

Children will:

● investigate the patterns of human settlement (migration theories)

● explore archeological evidence to support theories

● compare and contrast various cultural groups and how they used the environment and its resources to meet their basic needs

● examine customs, beliefs, values, languages, and patterns of organization and governance of early societies

Unit 3: European Exploration and The Slave Trade

Essential question: How did power, wealth and morality influence exploration and colonization of the Western Hemisphere?

Children will:

● explore the motivations for the exploration of the Western Hemisphere by other various cultures

● take a closer look at noteworthy explorers, their contributions, and both positive and negative impacts on existing civilizations

● examine the Columbian Exchange and The Slave Trade and their lasting effects

Unit 4: Governments of the Western Hemisphere

Students will engage in a comparative case study of the Western Hemisphere with attention to government and economics to answer the essential question: How do key forces and events shape nations?

Children will:

● study the political systems of the Western Hemisphere and how they vary in structure and organization

● learn about the struggle for equality and civil rights by varying regions

● investigate how the people of the Western Hemisphere developed ways to meet their needs and wants. This will include the initial development of an economic system

Unit 5: Exploring Cultures of the Western Hemisphere Through Comparative Case Study

Students will engage in a comparative case study of diverse Western Hemispheres cultures while answering the essential question: How do key forces and events shape nations?

Children will:

● inspect traditions, languages, architecture, literature, music and dance of various cultures

● examine the religions and beliefs to compare and contrast similarities and differences

● consider each culture’s significant contributions

Unit 6: Challenges of Modern Living in the Western Hemispheres

Students will consider the variety of concerns and issues specific to a region to answer the essential question: How do these issues create challenges for modern living?

Children will:

● probe into the environmental issues (deforestation, pollution, endangered species, drought) specific to a region

● understand the patterns of immigration and emigration from past to present

● identify issues such as border disputes and national security, as well as investigate causes and solutions

● consider human rights of the indigenous people of these regions