Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 7 - World Geography
Unit Guides

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Unit: Europe… Eastern and Western
***(Russia can be covered in this unit or the Asia unit or both. The information will be in the Asia unit.)

Time frame for unit: 2nd Quarter-- 3 weeks

Content Standards

National Standards for Geography:
Standards #1-#18 (See end of this document)

Alaska State Geographic Content Standards Addressed:
Standards A-F (See end of this document)

Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions

1. The five themes of geography allow us to explore patterns in location, place, human environment interaction, movement, and regions.
2. Geography has a range of helpful tools that can assist us in understanding our earth and its patterns.
3. Culture and experience influence people’s perceptions of places and regions.
   • To what extent is Europe a heterogeneous culture? To what extent do European nations share common cultures, histories, and perceptions?
   • How do Europeans perceive their geographic region in relationship to the rest of the world?
   • To what extent does the history of Europe influence its citizens’ perceptions of their relationship to the rest of the globe?
4. Force of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of earth’s surface.
   • To what extent do the ideals of peace and economic strength entice people to unite? To what extent can these ideals lead to conflict or tension among regions or countries?
   • How did the European Union come about?

Knowledge

The student will be able to define / apply the following terms:
Alps, Mediterranean Sea, Rhine, Danube, Balkans, Ural Mountains, Berlin Wall, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Euro, European Union (EU), Scandinavia, microstates, fjord, polder, peat, peninsulas, chaparral, sirocco, mistral, multicultural, refugee, city-state, feudalism, Crusades, Renaissance, Reformation, communism, Holocaust, cold war, dialect, language family, romanticism, realism, impressionism, welfare state, textiles, heavy industry, farm cooperative, collective farm, state farm, tariff, acid rain

The student will be able to explain the significance of the following concepts:

• The characteristics of Europe’s regions.
• Some cultural traits that European nations share.
• Some cultural traits that make European nations unique.
• The impact of European Union on the local and world economies.
• The power of a united people against oppressive governments.
• The influence of European presence upon various regions of the world.

The student will be able to describe the following:

• Main landforms of Europe.
• Physical and climatic regions of Europe.
• How people’s lives are changing in the free marked economies of Eastern Europe.
• The significance a geographical region can have on a continent.
• Main regions and landforms of Europe.
• Causes of conflict throughout present-day and historical Europe.

Skills

The student will be able to:

• Use graphic organizers to mentally organize the material from the textbook.
• Compare and contrast the cultures of Europe.
• Label landforms, cities, and bodies of water on a map.
• Apply the knowledge of European geography to create mental maps.
• Take notes over oral and written material.
• Interpret special purpose maps, graphs, and charts of the area.
• Interpret the impact of change on a region or country.
• Organize and sequence a series of events in Europe according to time.
• Determine locations of importance using latitude and longitude.

Assessment Evidence

Example Performance Task:

1. Assume the role of a citizen of a non-European Union country and in the form of a speech or debate make an argument for or against your country joining the European Union.
2. Design a collage or monument that would show the diversity of Europe’s various cultures. Write an explanation of how your project illustrates Europe’s diversity.

Example Evidence:

• Mental mapping quizzes
• Quizzes of facts related to North America including Alaska.
• Use key words in context.
• Compare/contrast essay comparing the physical geography of Europe.
• Written responses to the Essential Questions.

Example Learning Activities:

1. Read and discuss Ch. 11-14 in the Holt text.
2. Create, label, and analyze maps of Europe.
3. Design two European churches from different architectural styles such as Baroque, Gothic, or Stave.
4. Create a timeline of events comparing European and U.S. history.
5. Read and summarize either a book or short stories such as Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales.
6. Compare historical maps of Europe.
7. Have a smorgasbord and students bring in traditional European foods. Optional: dress in traditional clothing.
8. View and discuss a video, for example, “The Great Cities of Europe,” “Life Is Beautiful”
9. Research a European explorer and provide an illustrated map of their explorations and/or a ship log or journal.
10. Conduct research on how European immigrants have influenced customs, religion, politics, language, and food of a particular U.S. region.
11. Provide students with opportunities for self-evaluation such as reflective writing, rubrics, and peer discussions.
12. Review unit data through games such as bingo, jeopardy, and group competitions.

* These are suggested activities. Other assessments, performance tasks, and learning activities may be implemented.

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