Last Updated on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 5:01 AM
Drakes Creek Middle School shared their 7th Grade Social Studies Curriculum Map and the description below.
Drakes Creek Middle School
7th Grade Curriculum Map
Drakes Creek Middle School developed curriculum maps to make maximum use of instructional time and to intentionally plan when, what, how long, and how each content unit would be addressed. Teachers first designed individual maps, using the Program of Studies, Core Content, past planning guides and resource materials. Over time, it became obvious that if all students in the school were to be offered equal access, that content teachers needed to plan a common map. Thus, the next step involved content grade level teachers working together to create one map. This provided an opportunity for important dialogue between content teachers, sharing effective instructional strategies, negotiating which content needed more or less time, identifying critical vocabulary terms, collaborating in designing appropriate open response items for each unit. These maps have created a unified approach to content, regardless of who teaches the class. These maps are reviewed annually and changes are usually made. More efforts are being made now in the direction of vertical mapping, to ensure that any gaps or overlaps are appropriately addressed. Teachers use maps as a long-term guide for instruction. Many say that it has made their day-to-day work much easier. They know from the beginning where they're headed and approximately how much time they have to address each content piece. The mapping process highlights the need to make every instructional day count.
For more information about this map, please contact David Hutchison, principal, at Drakes Creek Middle School.
Content Area: World History Team 7A
|
Month |
Content |
A. E. |
Core Content |
Essential Questions |
Skills |
Assessment |
|
August |
Maps, globes, photographs, models, and other geographic references |
|
4.1.1 |
How do you find a location, calculate distance, and identify physical and political features? |
Identify the 7 continents and 4 oceans. Using scales calculate distance. Describe a location: using longitude and latitude lines and directions. Identify different map projections and describe the positives and negatives of each. |
Essay question, map
questions |
|
3 weeks |
5 themes of geography |
2.19 |
4.1.2 |
What role did geography play in the development of early world civilizations? |
Describe the 5 themes of geography. |
Complete a 5 themes notebook |
|
|
Time lines, dating systems |
2.2 |
|
Why is it important to study history? |
Identify the terms B.C.E., C.E., A.D., and B.C |
Create timeline of
their life. |
|
|
Economic principles |
2.18 |
3.1.1.
3.1.2.
3.2.1.
3.2.2. 3.4.1 |
What is the relationship between economics and the way a civilization becomes successful or fails? |
Define and explain how economic principles affect our lives |
Feature article ; explaining how the economic principles affect their lives |
|
UNIT 2: EARLY CIVILIZATIONS |
|
|
Decide who would come to a certain dig |
Create archeological cards |
|
September |
Nomadic lifestyle of hunter/gathers in the Old Stone Age |
2.16
2.17 |
2.1.1
4.4.1,5.3.1 |
How were cultural elements and social institutions are reflected in early world civilizations? |
Hypothesize about the capabilities and skills of human ancestors. |
Match pictures of ; advancements with : Neolithic or Paleolithic. |
|
3 weeks |
|
|
|
In what ways has conflict resulted form the migration and settlement of humans? |
Identify the factors that may have
contributed to the development of city-states collage. in Mesopotamia. Describe key features of a; Sumerian city-state |
Make a character collage. |
|
|
Sumerian city-states |
2.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
UNIT 3: EGYPT |
|
|
|
|
|
September and October |
Geographical features of Egypt and Kush |
2.19 |
4.1.2 |
What role did geography play in the development of early world civilizations? |
Identify key physiographic features of Egypt and Kush. List 4 environment factors that affect human settlement. |
On map identify physiographic features. Predict settlement patterns. |
|
3 weeks |
Pharaohs in Egypt and their major accomplishments |
|
1.1.1, 5.3.1 |
How were cultural elements and social institutions are reflected in early world civilizations? |
Define pharaoh. Identify significant pharaohs and their achievements. |
Multi-cultural project |
|
|
Egypt social features |
2.16, 2.17 |
2.1.1, 2.2.1, 5.3.1 |
|
Describe Egyptian daily life. |
Create an illustrated journal of Egyptian life |
|
|
Egypt economics |
|
3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.3.1 |
What is the relationship between economics and the way a civilization becomes successful or fails? |
Describe the Egyptian and Kush economy. |
Test, t-chart |
|
UNIT 4: NEAR EAST |
|
|
|
|
|
End of October |
Near East geography |
2.19 |
4.1.2, 4.2.2 |
What role did geography play in the development of early world civilizations? |
Identify geographical areas in Near Est. |
Create a map |
|
2 weeks |
Judaism |
|
How were cultural elements and social institutions reflected in early world civilizations? |
How were cultural elements and social institutions reflected in early world civilizations? |
Describe the historical foundations of Judaism. |
Create Jewish flag |
|
|
6 Mesopotamian civilizations |
2.16, 2.17 |
1.1.1, 2.1.1, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 |
|
Identify and describe the 6 Mesopotamian civilizations. |
Construct time line of civilizations. Conduct Code of Hammurabi cases |
|
UNIT 4: INDIA |
|
|
|
|
|
November |
Indian geography |
2.19 |
4.1.2, 4.3.2 |
What role did geography play in the development of early world civilizations? |
Identify and describe how geography affected Indian settlement |
Indian map |
|
4 weeks |
Indian daily life |
2.16, 2.17 |
2.1.1, 2.2.1, 4.2.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 |
How were cultural elements and social institutions reflected in early world civilizations? |
Describe Indian daily life |
Create a cover for National Geographic |
|
|
Hinduism |
|
|
|
Describe the basic tenants of Hinduism |
Create a mandala |
|
|
Buddhism |
|
|
|
Describe the basic tenants of Buddhism |
Write a poem about Buddhism |
|
|
Asoka's empire and its achievements |
|
1.1.1 |
|
Describe Ashoks's edicts and the Mauryan collapse |
Draw billboard of edict |
|
|
Gupta Achievements |
|
|
|
Describe the artistic and scientific achievements of the Gupta Empire |
Write a journal commemorating Gupta achievements |
|
UNIT 5: CHINA |
|
|
|
|
|
December |
China geography |
2.19 |
4.1.2, 4.2.1, 4.3.1 |
What role did geography play in the development of early world civilizations? |
Identify and describe the major geographical features of China |
Create a map; critical thinking questions |
|
4 weeks |
Early Chinese government |
|
1.1.1 |
How were cultural elements and social institutions reflected in early world civilizations? |