The World Geography and Cultures curriculum for grades 6 and 7 is designed to broaden students' geographical reasoning and knowledge of the world’s physical and political landscapes. Organized into seven key regions—ranging from Africa and the Americas to Asia, Oceania, and Europe—this two-year sequence establishes a vital foundation for future studies in Grade 8 Civics and high school history. By exploring the cultural achievements of ancient and classical civilizations, students gain essential insights into the different types of societies and governments that have shaped our global history.

Beyond historical and geographical facts, these standards emphasize the development of critical inquiry and research skills. The curriculum encourages students to investigate the "human" element of history, exploring the ethical concepts and community bonds that guide interactions between individuals and nations. This framework provides schools and districts with the flexibility to design instructional paths that inspire curiosity, helping students engage deeply with international events and the diverse lives of people across the globe.

Students will:

• Identify places that are important to us and map those places.

• Identify how we are different people in different places with examples.

Students will:

• Understand the elements of maps: DOGSTAIL

• Learn how to use each element of a map (orientation, grid, legend, etc.)

• Learn the three main types of maps: physical, political, thematic

• Read a variety of maps to identity key information and determine the purpose of each.

Students will:

• Use a series of maps to determine regions of South America

• Read climagraphs in order to analyze climate conditions and adaptations for living in particular climates or at different elevation zones. 

• Compare and contrast the various land uses of the Amazon rainforest by different groups to determine the trade offs and sustainability. 

• Describe the ways that one or more indigenous groups of the region adapted to living in this area 

• Identify key locations (physical features and countries) on a map of this region

Students will:

• Identify key locations (physical features and countries) on a map of this region

• Explain the push and pull factors leading to urbanization in megacities in this region.

• Evaluate development data for countries of this region to determine what opportunities are available to the people there.

Students will:

• Map key cities and empires involved in trade along the Silk Roads

• Identify how religions moved along the Silk Roads

• Participate in a trading simulation 

Students will:

• Examine how goods, ideas, and people moved as an example of early globalization along the Swahili Coast

• Investigate case studies of microenterprise and access to education as examples of how people make lives better in developing countries

• Identify key locations (physical features and countries) on a map of this region

Students will:

• Map the movements of different migrant journeys from origin to final location