Grade 7
Social Studies
Unit — Native Americans, Early Encounters, and Colonial Development
Essential Questions
How do issues of power, wealth, and morality influence exploration and colonization?
Guiding Questions
How did where Native American tribes live affect how they live?
What led Europeans to explore the New World?
How did exploration change the global economy?
What nations settled in and explored the New World?
Skills Taught
Students will:
read and analyze maps.
think chronologically.
identify and explain cause and effect relationships.
analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Text/Materials
American Journey
New York State Social Studies Framework
7.1 ,7.1a, 7.2, 7.2a, 7.2b, 7.2c, 7.2d, 7.2e
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH5, RH7
WHST1, WHST2, WHST7
Unit — The Road to Independence
Essential Questions
Why do people create, structure, and change governments?
Guiding Questions
What led the American Colonists to rebel against England?
Did the American Revolution accomplish its goals?
Skills Taught
Students will:
interpret data.
understand multiple perspectives/viewpoints.
identify and explain cause and effect relationships.
identify and explain power struggles/inequality/human rights.
analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Text/Materials
American Journey
New York State Social Studies Framework
7.3, 7.3a, 7.3b, 7.3c, 7.3d
Standards
1, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH2, RH4, RH5, RH7, RH9
WHST1, WHST2, WHST7
Unit — A New Nation: The United States Constitution
Essential Questions
Why do people create, structure, and change governments?
Guiding Questions
How did America form their government?
Why did they choose a democratic form of government?
What rights and limits were placed in the Constitution to grant the American people freedoms?
Skills Taught
Students will:
understand civic rights and responsibilities.
analyze primary sources.
identify civic issues.
analyze the compromises that led to our U.S. Constitution.
Text/Materials
American Journey
New York State Social Studies Framework
7.4, 7.4a, 7.4b, 7.4c, 7.5, 7.5a, 7.5c, 7.5
Standards
1, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH7
WHST1, WHST2
Unit — A Nation Grows: Expansion and Reform
Essential Questions
How do issues of power, wealth, and morality influence growth?
Guiding Questions
How did our nation expand in the 19th century?
What led to westward movement across the continent?
How were new areas added to our nation?
With expansion, what opportunities arose?
What reforms came about due to the Industrial Revolution?
Skills Taught
Studenst will:
identify and explain power struggles.
identify and explain multiple perspectives/justifications given for moving West.
analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Text/Materials
American Journey
New York State Social Studies Framework
7.5d, 7.6, 7.6a, 7.6b, 7.6c, 7.7, 7.7a, 7.7b, 7.7c
Standards
1, 3, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH7, RH8
WHST1, WHST2, WHST4, WHST5, WHST7
Unit — A Nation Divided
Essential Questions
Was the Civil War inevitable?
Guiding Questions
How did our nation come to a Civil War?
What division surrounding land, slavery and rights came about during this time period?
How did the Civil War bring our nation back from the brink of separation?
Skills Taught
Students will:
analyze the differences in the economies of the North and the South.
understand the sectionalism that existed in the years leading up to the Civil War.
identify and explain cause and effect relationships.
analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Text/Materials
American Journey
New York State Social Studies Framework
7.8, 7.8a, 7.8b, 7.8c, 7.8d, 7.8e
Standards
1, 3, 4
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH6, RH7, RH9
WHST1, WHST2, WHST3, WHST7