• the parts, styles, and purposes of a world map
• the five themes of geography (location, place, region, human-environment interaction, movement)
• meanings of and how to calculate relative and absolute locations
• meanings of important terms: latitude, longitude, Equator, Prime Meridian, landscape, environment, landform, climate, resource
• the six essential elements
• why geographers study regions
• the parts, styles, and purposes of different kinds of maps
• identify the seven continents using a world map
• explain why geographer’s study more than a place’s location and dimensions
• identify examples of human systems
• describe the physical and human characteristics of a community
• identify differences in general-purpose maps and thematic maps
• draw a map of a place, including the relevant map features
Performance Tasks:
• Project-Based Learning Hands-On Project
Other Evidence:
• Geography Skills Worksheet
• Participation in Project-Based Learning Activities
• Contribution to small-group activities
• Interpretation of slide-show images and special purpose maps
• Participation in completing the Six Essential Elements Digital Chart
• Participation in class discussions about the Geographer’s World
• Lesson Reviews
• Chapter Assessments
Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies
KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS
RH.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
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.
CRAFT AND STRUCTURE
RH.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary
specific to domains related to history/social studies.
INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS
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.
RANGE OF READING AND LEVEL OF TEXT
RH.6-8.10 By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
TEXT TYPES AND PURPOSES
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WRITING
WHST.6-8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
RESEARCH TO BUILD AND PRESENT KNOWLEDGE
WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.