Social Studies Curriculum

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Unit 1: Characteristics of a Nation

FQ1:What is a nation? (EQ1,2,3,4)

FQ2:What are the responsibilities of the citizens of a nation? (EQ5)

Unit 2: Location of Canada, Mexico & Brazil

FQ1:What are the different ways you can locate a nation on a map? (EQ1)

Unit 3: Government & Military of Canada, Mexico & Brazil

FQ1:How does the governmental structure of a nation impact its citizens? (EQ 2,5)

FQ2:What role does the military play for these nations? (EQ4)

FQ3:How do governments resolve conflict? (EQ4)

Unit 4: Economy, Natural Resources and Technology of Canada, Mexico and Brazil

FQ1:How do natural resources influence the economy of a nation? (EQ1,3)

FQ2:How does technology influence the economy of a nation? (EQ 2,3)

FQ3:How does a nation's economy influence its power? (EQ2)

Unit 5: Culture of Canada, Mexico & Brazil

FQ1:What are the customs and traditions of a nation? (EQ1,3)

FQ2:How does the form of education prepare citizens to be a contributing members of a nation? (EQ3,5)

FQ3:What other factors help define the culture of a nation?(EQ1,3)

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

How does geography influence lifestyles? (Themes 1,3,4,6)

Who is powerful in society and why? (Themes 1,2)

What is considered valuable by a society? (Themes 1,5)

How does conflict shape a culture? (Themes 4,5,7)

What are my responsibilities as a citizen of the world? (Themes 1,2,5)

MAP AND GLOBE SKILLS

Map skills are intended to be integrated into the curriculum as much as possible.

Objectives: The student will:

Compare and contrast features of political and physical maps.

Examine map projection techniques and will observe their influence on shape, size, distance and direction.

Recognize map symbols of both natural and man-made forms.

Continue to use latitude/longitude lines to accurately locate or to designate points on the earth.

Utilize map scales to determine distances.

Determine the time at various points around the earth at a specified time at their location.

Explain the correlation between latitude and temperature.

Apply previously learned globe and map skills to analyze the geographic features of the following areas:

The Rainforest in Brazil

The Tundra, in Northern Canada

Apply cardinal directions to a globe and map.