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Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 6
COURSE TITLE: CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE AMERICAS
UNIT 4

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

(Suggested amount of time to spend on unit: February to March)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

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

Jobs and industry
Production and manufacturing of products
Import/export

S10; PS2 Understand and apply how natural processes influence the formation and location of resources.

S13; PS1 Compare the resources used by various cultures, countries and/or regions throughout the world.

S13; PS4 Present historical and current controversies about the use of resources.

S15; PS1 Explain how specialization leads to more efficient use of economic resources and economic growth.

S15; PS3 Explain how specialization increases interdependence among producers, consumers, and nations and consequently leads to a higher standard of living.

S13; PS5 Illustrate how resources can be used in a variety of ways.

FQ2:How does technology influence the economy of a nation? (EQ2,3) Communication networks Industry inventions and innovations Transportation and the movement of goods


S11; PS2 Explain how patterns of international trade change technology, transportation and communication, and affect economic activities and human migration.


S13; PS7 Explain how technological change and innovation improves a societyÕs productivity an economic growth.


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

Import/export
Governmental regulations
Defensive capabilities

S8; PS1 Describe the organization of the world into nation-states and describe some ways nation-states interact with one another.

S8;PS3 Describe the influence of U.S. political, economic and cultural ideas on other nations and the influence of other nationsÕ ideas on the U.S.

S13; PS6 Explain economic growth as a sustained increase in the production of goods and services and that Gross Domestic Product is the basic measure of economic output.

S14; PS1 Explain how different economic systems (traditional, market and command) use different means to produce, distribute and exchange goods and services.

S14; PS2 Explain that all countries' economics reflect a mix of market command and traditional elements.

NOTES TO TEACHER:

Canada, Mexico and Brazil will be compared and contrasted to each other and the United States throughout the year. Discuss the Standard of Living as it relates to these economic factors.

RESOURCES:

Provided resources:

Latin America and Canada MacGlobe

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:

Create a natural resources map; complete list of imports and exports; compare countries.
Keep a log for a week of products you use and trace where they come from.
Using computer resources have students research controversies around the use/over use of resources; share information.

ASSESSMENTS:

Essential questions
Focus questions
Performance tasks
Tests/quizzes

 

Content: Social Studies Grade Level: 6 Date of BOE Adoption: July 17. 2002