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Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 7
COURSE TITLE: Cultural Geography of the Eastern Hemisphere
UNIT 7

Unit 7: Africa

(Suggested amount of time to spend on unit: 4-5 weeks)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

FQ1: How has the physical geography affected the culture of Africa? (EQ1,2)

Maps, climate, and natural resources
Indigenous peoples and ethnic groups

S3; PS 5 ; Describe examples of how societies throughout history have used various forms of visual arts, dance, theater, myths, literature and music to express their beliefs, sense of identify and philosophical ideas.

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

S9; PS1 Demonstrate human and national characteristics of places and how they shape or place identity.

S9; PS4 Identify and evaluate various perspectives associated with places and regions.

S9; PS5 Use latitude and longitude to locate places and calculate differences between places.

S10; PS3 Explain the factors that affect the location, distribution and associations of features of the physical environment.

S12; PS7 Demonstrate and explain ways that humans depend on, adapt to, and alter the physical environment.

FQ2: Why do most of the countries in Africa remain underdeveloped? (EQ1,4)

European colonization
Apartheid
Lack of Nationalism
Uneven distribution of national resources

S3; PS2 Explain how roles and status of people have differed and changed throughout history, based on gender, age, class, racial and ethnic identity, wealth and/or social position.


S10; PS3 Explain the factors that affect the location, distribution and associations of features of the physical environment.

S15; PS2 Explain why trade encourages specialization.

NOTES TO TEACHER:

It is important that the units be taught sequentially.

RESOURCES:

Provided resources:

World Cultures :A Global Mosaic

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:

Africa Map puzzle
Imports and Exports Unlimited - create a company to buy or sell goods to America.
Ethnic food exchange.
Journalists Diary - you are a journalist writing anti-apartheid articles.

ASSESSMENTS:

Essential questions
Focus questions
Performance tasks
Tests/quizzes

 

Content: Social Studies Grade Level: 7 Date of BOE Adoption: July 17. 2002