21^st CENTURY

Social Studies

Seventh Grade Social Studies Content Standards and Objectives

Janet Benincosa, TI Specialist

Seventh Grade: World Geography

Seventh grade social studies examines geography through the six essential elements: The World in Spatial Terms, Places and Regions, Physical Systems, Human Systems, Environment and Society and Uses of Geography. Students will examine people, places and events of today and analyze the relationships between them (culture, history, environmental concerns, political and economic systems) and their impact on the future of our world. Students will use 21^st century technology as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills to construct and interpret maps, graphs, charts, spreadsheets and other data to evaluate and synthesize global information from a geographical perspective.

The West Virginia Standards for 21^st Century Learning include the following components: 21^st Century Content Standards and Objectives and 21^st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools.

All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools and content standards and objectives.

Grade 7		Social Studies
Standard: 1		Citizenship
SS.S.07.01		Students will characterize and model good citizenship by building social networks of reciprocity and trustworthiness (Civic Dispositions). · model a respect for symbols, ideas and concepts of the United States and analyze the roles of significant individuals (Respect For People, Events, and Symbols). · develop and employ the civic skills necessary for effective citizenship by using criteria to make judgments, arrive at and defend positions and evaluate the validity of the positions or data (Evaluation Skills). · develop the participatory skills of interacting, monitoring and influencing that are essential for informed, effective and responsible citizenship, including participation in civic life to shape public policy (Participatory Skills). · recognize and communicate the responsibilities, privileges and rights of United States citizens (Civic Life).
Performance Descriptors (SS.PD.07.1)
Distinguished				Above Mastery		Mastery		Partial Mastery			Novice
Seventh grade students performing at the distinguished level in citizenship performing at the Distinguished level evaluate and communicate how the rights of citizens from various world regions relate to those of United States citizens. Students determine and defend the influence of the American democratic system on other nations and the influences of those nations on American politics and society. Students evaluate and give examples of differences between power and authority.				Seventh grade students performing at the above mastery level in citizenship assess the rights of citizens from various world regions and communicate how they relate to those of the United States citizens. Students evaluate the influence of the American democratic system on other nations and the influence those nations have had on American politics and society. Students explain the rights of citizens and distinguish between power and authority.		Students performing at mastery level in citizenship compare and contrast the rights of citizens in world regions and analyze how their actions influence public policy decisions. Students will differentiate between power and authority. Students compare and contrast the rights, responsibilities, and participation of citizens in world regions and analyze how these actions influence public policy decisions. Students will differentiate between power and authority.		Students performing at the partial mastery level in citizenship identify the rights of citizens from various world regions and compare them to those of United States citizens. Students identify an influence that the American democratic system has had on other nations. Students identify an influence another nation has had on American politics and society. Students recognize the differences between power and authority.			Students performing at the novice level in citizenship identify issues of public concern in the United States and other world areas. Students recognize social responsibility and identify citizen actions. Students define power and authority.
	Objectives	Students will
	SS.O.07.01.01	compare and contrast individual rights of citizens in a variety of world regions
	SS.O.07.01.02	model the actions citizens take to influence public policy decisions.
	SS.O.07.01.03	compare and contrast nations’ laws that may or may not provide order, predictability and security.
	SS.O.07.01.04	research and organize information about an issue of public concern from multiple points of view.
	SS.O.07.01.05	apply and practice selective forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideas of citizens in a democratic republic.
	SS.O.07.01.06	recognize and differentiate between power and authority.
	Grade 7	Social Studies
	Standard: 2	Civics
	SS.S.07.02	Students will · examine and analyze the purposes and basic principles of the United States government (Purposes of Government). · outline and evaluate and analyze the origins and meaning of the principles, ideals and core democratic values expressed in the foundational documents of the United States (Ideals of United States Democracy). · examine and distinguish the structure, function and responsibilities of governments and the allocation of power at the local, state and national levels (United States Government and Politics). analyze how the world is organized politically and compare the role and relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs (United States Government and World Affairs).
Performance Descriptors (SS.PD.07.2)
Distinguished			Above Mastery		Mastery		Partial Mastery		Novice
Students performing at the distinguished level in civics analyze different forms, processes and purposes of governments and their effectiveness. Students hypothetically apply methods of resolution to international conflict and evaluate the effectiveness of those methods. Students create situations of juxtaposition between rule of law and individual freedoms and resolve the conflicts.			Students performing at the Above Mastery level in civics compare and contrast different forms, processes and purposes of world governments. Students compare and contrast the ways nations interact with one another to resolve conflict and maintain order. Students contrast rule of law with individual rights.		Students performing at the mastery level in civics evaluate forms, processes and purposes of world governments. Students compare and contrast the ways nations interact with one another to resolve problems. Students evaluate the need for rule of law.		Students performing at the partial mastery level in civics identify different forms of governments and explain their purposes. Students list ways nations interact with one another to solve problems. Students explain rule of law.		Students performing at the novice level in civics identify different forms of government. Students identify a conflict between two countries. Students recognize the need for laws.
	Objectives	Students will
	SS.O.07.02.01	examine the different forms of government in various world regions.
	SS.O.07.02.02	compare and contrast the lawmaking processes of world governments.
	SS.O.07.02.03	analyze the different ways nations provide order and protect justice.
	SS.O.07.02.04	debate the importance of limited government and the rule of law.
	SS.O.07.02.05	evaluate various methods that nations use to interact with one another to resolve problems and conflicts.
	SS.O.07.02.06	recognize and evaluate the influence of the United States on other nations and the influence of other nations on the American political process and society.
	Grade 7	Social Studies
	Standard: 3	Economics
	SS.S.07.03	Students will · analyze the role of economic choices in scarcity, supply and demand, resource allocation, decision-making, voluntary exchange and trade-offs (Choices). · research, critique and evaluate the roles of private and public institutions in the economy (Institutions). · compare and contrast various economic systems and analyze their impact on individual citizens (Economic Systems). · illustrate how the factors of production impact the United States economic system (Factors of Production). · analyze the elements of competition and how they impact the economy (Competition). examine and evaluate the interdependence of global economies (Global Economies).
Performance Descriptors (SS.PD.07.03)
Distinguished			Above Mastery			Mastery		Partial Mastery		Novice
Students performing at the distinguished level in economics critique economic systems and interpret how the interdependence of world economies influences price determination, government services, technology changes in agriculture and industrial development, resource use, natural and human events and world trade organizations.			Students performing at the above mastery level in economics compare and contrast economic systems, their interdependence, and the various social services provided by world governments. Students appraise how technology impacts worldwide economic development, agricultural and industrial development, resource use, natural and human events and world trade organizations.			Students performing at the mastery level in economics compare economic systems, their interdependence, and the various social services provided by world governments. Students evaluate how technology impacts worldwide economic development, agricultural and industrial development, resource use, natural and human events and world trade organizations.		Students performing at the partial mastery level in economics describe the characteristics of economic systems and give examples of how technology impacts worldwide economic development, resource use, natural and human events and world trade organizations.		Students performing at the novice level in economics recognize and describe different economic systems. Students differentiate between the causes of supply and the causes of demand. Students list factors that can influence economic development.
	Objectives	Students will
	SS.O.07.03.01	examine how competition among buyers of a product results in higher prices, and illustrate the relationship between supply, demand and the price of that product.
	SS.O.07.03.02	analyze the physical and human geographic factors that influence the economy of a region.
	SS.O.07.03.03	define basic economic terminology and apply it to economic development of world regions.
	SS.O.07.03.04	compare and contrast various social services provided by world governments.
	SS.O.07.03.05	classify and compare different types of economic systems.
	SS.O.07.03.06	describe the impact of technology on agriculture and industry throughout the world.
	SS.O.07.03.07	classify and evaluate the different types of world trade organizations (e.g., trade, military, health).
	SS.O.07.03.08	assess the impact of natural and human events on industry worldwide (e.g., strikes, environmental disasters, war, terrorism).
	SS.O.07.03.09	formulate an explanation as to how countries are economically interdependent.
	Grade 7	Social Studies
	Standard: 4	Geography
	SS.S.07.04	Students will interpret, and choose maps, globes and other geographic tools to categorize and organize information about personal directions, people, places and environments (The World in Spatial Terms). examine the physical and human characteristics of place and explain how the lives of people are rooted in places and regions (Places and Regions). analyze the physical processes that shape the earth’s surface and create, sustain and modify the cultural and natural environment (Physical Systems). analyze and illustrate how the earth is shaped by the movement of people and their activities (Human Systems). analyze the interaction of society with the environment (Environment and Society). point out geographic perspective and the tools and assess techniques available for geographic study (Uses of Geography).
Performance Descriptors (SS.PD.07.04)
Distinguished			Above Mastery		Mastery		Partial Mastery		Novice
Students performing at the distinguished level in geography analyze spatial data using precise geographic terminology and tools to draw conclusions. Students make predictions about future connections between the geographic regions and cultures of the world and how the physical and human processes interact to shape the environment. Students predict the impact of technology, communication and transportation on the global society. Students research and draw conclusions about new geographic frontiers such as oceans, Antarctica, and airspace.			Students performing at the above mastery level in geography analyze spatial data using precise geographic terminology and tools to draw conclusions. Students compare and contrast the geographic regions and cultures of the world and explain the connections between them. Students draw conclusions about how the physical and human processes interact to shape the environment. Students analyze the effects of technology, communication and transportation on the global society. Students research new geographic frontiers such as oceans, Antarctica, and airspace.		Students performing at the mastery level in geography analyze spatial data using appropriate geographic terminology and tools. Students describe the geographic regions and cultures of the world and how the physical and human processes interact to shape the environment. Students analyze the effects of technology, communication and transportation on the global society. Students research new geographic frontiers such as oceans, Antarctica, and airspace.		Students performing at the partial mastery level in geography use appropriate geographic terminology and tools. Students describe the geographic regions and cultures of the world and how the physical and human processes interact to shape the environment. Students recognize the effects of technology, communication and transportation on the global society. Students recognize new geographic frontiers such as oceans, Antarctica, and airspace.		Students performing at the novice level in geography name appropriate geographic terminology and tools. Students identify the geographic regions and cultures of the world and how the physical and human processes interact to shape the environment. Students name the effects of technology, communication and transportation on the global society. Students locate new geographic frontiers such as oceans, Antarctica, and airspace.
	Objectives	Students will
	SS.O.07.04.01	use correct geographic terminology to explain direction, location, time zones, physical features of the earth,
	SS.O.07.04.02	draw conclusions about information presented on special purpose maps and be able to differentiate among map types.
	SS.O.07.04.03	Identify and locate on a variety of maps and give examples of the following: · seven continents bodies of water landforms countries cities climate regions transportation routes
	SS.O.07.04.04	describe and explain the advantages and disadvantages of different map projections and show examples of their uses (e.g., aerial photos, globes, charts, graphs, polar projection).
	SS.O.07.04.05	evaluate the importance of mental maps (perceptions) and illustrate how they affect our judgments about people and places.
	SS.O.07.04.06	analyze the patterns of immigration and examine its effects on the distribution of cultural patterns in a region (e.g., disease, language, religion, customs, diversity).
	SS.O.07.04.07	analyze the growth of tourism and its impact on regional environments and culture.
	SS.O.07.04.08	analyze and give examples of the ways in which these factors influence lifestyles regional interconnections: economic geographic cultural religious political social
	SS.O.07.04.09	evaluate the impact of human processes on the world’s physical environment (e.g., pollution, clear-cutting, strip mining).
	SS.O.07.04.10	analyze the use and abuse of renewable and nonrenewable resources (e.g., hydroelectric power and fossil fuels), interpret how technology affects the ways in which culture groups perceive and use their resources, and give examples of ways to improve conservation of natural resources around the world.
	SS.O.07.04.11	analyze the technological improvements in transportation and communication that have helped create a global society.
	SS.O.07.04.12	explain the common geographic factors associated with the development of world urban centers.
	SS.O.07.04.13	examine cooperation and conflict over control of the world’s resources.
	SS.O.07.04.14	create population pyramids to show comparisons of the characteristics of demographic structure in selected regions of the world (e.g., total size, birth rates, age, distribution, doubling time).
	SS.O.07.04.15	explain culture in a geographic context (e.g., isolation, core area, movement).
	SS.O.07.04.16	investigate and research new geographic frontiers such as the oceans, Antarctica and airspace and describe explorations and discoveries in these realms.
	Grade 7	Social Studies
	Standard: 5	History