Unit One – Maps and Mapping - First Six Weeks
Standards:
7.3.01 Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic
tools and technologies.
7.3.02 Know the location of places and geographic features, both physical and human,
locally, regionally and globally.
7.3.03 Understand the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface.
7.3.04 Understand the physical and human characteristics of place.
7.3.05 Understand that common physical and cultural characteristics create regions.
7.3.06 Understand how physical processes shape the Earth's natural landscapes and affect
environments.
7.3.07 Understand how physical systems and the physical environment affect human
systems.
7.3.08 Understand how human activities impact and modify the physical environment.
7.3.09 Understand the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's
surfaces.
Performance Indicators:
7.3.spi.2. locate the Earth's major physical characteristics (i.e., 7 continents, 4
oceans).
7.3.spi.6. Locate on a map specific lines of longitude and latitude. (i.e., Prime
Meridian, International Date Line, Equator, North and South Poles, Tropics of
Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic Antarctic circles).
7.3.spi.1. identify and use the basic elements of maps and mapping.
7.3.spi.15 interpret a map indicating scale, distance and direction.
7.3.spi.14. distinguish between types of maps. (i.e. political, physical, climatic,
land-use resource, contour, elevation, topographic.)
7.3.spi.17. read and interpret a time zone map.
7.3.spi.21. interpret a population pyramid.
I can statements:
  • I can define the words continent and ocean.
  • I can identify the seven continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica) on a map.
  • I can identify the five oceans (Indian, Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Southern) on a map.
  • I can answer questions about what borders each continent and ocean without looking at a map.
  • I can define the words latitude, longitude, grid, degrees, minute, parallels, islands, hemisphere, Equator, Prime Meridian, North Pole, South Pole, Arctic Circle, Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, International Date Line.
  • I can define the words map and globes.
  • I can differentiate between the pros and cons of using a map versus a globe.
  • I can recognize and differentiate between a Robinson map, Mercator map, Homolosine map, and Azimuthal map.
  • I can identify latitude lines (only) and degrees on a grid.
  • I can identify longitude lines (only) and degrees on a grid.
  • I can identify latitude and longitude lines (together) and degrees on a map.
  • I can locate the four hemispheres of Earth and identify which hemisphere(s) each continent belongs in.
  • I can identify where the Equator, Prime Meridian, North Pole, South Pole, Arctic Circle, Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, International Date Line are located on a map and their degrees.
  • I can identify the major parts of a map (title, latitude lines, longitude lines, map key or legend, compass rose, scale, symbols).
  • I can answer questions in relation to using the parts of a map (title, latitude lines, longitude lines, map key or legend, compass rose, scale, symbols).
  • I can use the scale bar to find distance on a map in miles and kilometers.
  • I can use the compass rose to determine directions and intermediate directions on a map (North, South, East, West, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast).
  • I can recognize and distinguish among a climate, population, physical, political, topography, and land use and resource map.
  • I can define the words time zone, Greenwich, England, International Date Line.
  • I can explain why time zone maps are important.
  • I can recognize that each time zone equals fifteen degrees of latitude.
  • I can recognize the each time zone equals one hour and that Earth is divided into twenty four time zones.
  • I can explain that time increases as a person moves to the east on a time zone. (add one hour)
  • I can explain that time decreases as a person moves to the west on a time zone. (subtract one hour)
  • I can determine what a bar graph is and its parts (title, x axis, y axis, similarities and differences of bars).
  • I can illustrate other ways to show information in chart form such as a table, time line, Venn Diagram, pie chart, line graph, etc.
  • I can practice using a bar graph and other graphs.
  • I can define the words population, gender, developed, developing, GDP, per capita GDP, life expectancy, and literacy rates.
  • I can realize that a population pyramid is the combination of two bar graphs into one.
  • I can read a population pyramid by looking at the males and females in a country by ages.
  • I can identify a country whose population is increasing, decreasing, and staying the same and make a correlation between population of a country and whether it is developed or developing.

INSTRUCTION OPTIONS / ASSESSMENT OPTIONS
Unit Two – Physical Geography – Part 1 (Earth’s formation and human patterns) – Second Six Weeks
Standards:
7.3.01 Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic
tools and technologies.
7.3.02 Know the location of places and geographic features, both physical and human,
locally, regionally and globally.
7.3.03 Understand the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface.
7.3.04 Understand the physical and human characteristics of place.
7.3.05 Understand that common physical and cultural characteristics create regions.
7.3.06 Understand how physical processes shape the Earth's natural landscapes and affect
environments.
7.3.07 Understand how physical systems and the physical environment affect human
systems.
7.3.08 Understand how human activities impact and modify the physical environment.
7.3.09 Understand the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's
surfaces.
7.5.01 Understand the patterns of human settlement.
7.5.02 Recognize that places change over time.
7.6.01 Understand the impact of individual and group decisions on citizens and
communities.
7.6.02 Understand how groups can effect change at local, regional, and global levels.
7.6.03 Understand how a geographic view is a significant tool in interpreting the present
and planning for the future.
Performance Indicators:
7.3.spi.10 identify the characteristics that define a region geographically.
7.5.spi.2. identify reasons why people choose to settle in different places (i.e.,
occupation, family, climate, natural resources).
7.5.spi.3. map large civilizations to discover the impact of water as a main reason
behind a society’s founding.
7.5.spi.4. analyze the causes and effects of change in a place over time from a
written passage.
7.3.spi.4. distinguish the differences among rural, suburban, and urban
communities.
7.3.spi.11. recognize specific physical processes that operate on the Earth’s
surface (i.e., erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind and water currents, plate
tectonics, and weathering).
7.3.spi.13. recognize the definitions of modifications on the physical environment
(i.e. global warming, deforestation, desert, urbanization).
7.3.spi.18. analyze the environmental consequences of humans changing their
physical environment (i.e., air and water pollution, mining, deforestation, global
warming).
7.3.spi.19. examine reasons and patterns of human migration through the use of
maps, charts, diagrams (i.e., famine, natural disasters, political and religious
oppression, wars).
7.3.spi.20. Predict the consequences of population changes on the Earth’s physical and cultural environments.
7.5.spi.1. identify the causes and consequences of urbanization (i.e. industrial
development, education, health care, cultural opportunities, poverty,
overcrowding, disease, pollution, crime).
7.6.spi.1. Identify ways family, groups, and community influence daily life and personal choices.
I can statements:
  • I can identify ways geography helps us understand our world.
  • I can define the words geography, environment, spatial, location, place, region, and three-dimensional.
  • I can identify the five themes of geography.
  • I can simulate and give examples for each of the five themes of geography.
  • I can differentiate between absolute and relative location.
  • I can differentiate between physical and human geography.
  • I can identify various physical regions of an area and define subregion.
  • I can identify possible push/pull factors and why people move from place to place.
  • I can identify possible causes and consequences of urbanization.
  • I can identify how people interact to their environment and why first peoples settled near water.
  • I can define the words urban, rural, and suburban.
  • I can give examples for each of the words urban, rural, and suburban.
  • I can define the words local, regional, and global.
  • I can give examples for each of the words local, regional, and global.
  • I can define the words globe, map, cartographer, surveyor, remote sensing, Landsat, GPS, GIS, database, and debris.
  • I can identify uses for Landsat, GPS, and GIS.
  • I can compare and contrast Landsat, GPS, and GIS.
  • I can identify and compare the roles of a location analyst, climatologist, urban planner, volcanologist, oceanographer, etc.
  • I can define the word geomorphology and identify the connection with geography.
  • I can explain how Earth’s physical systems make life on Earth possible.
  • I can define the words magma, continent, tectonic plate, earthquake, Ring of Fire, volcano, weathering, erosion, sediment, and glacier.
  • I can illustrate and explain the role of each of the five layers of Earth.
  • I can identify the fourteen tectonic plates on Earth’s surface.
  • I can simulate the four types of tectonic plate movements and identify what landform or process is created from each movement.
  • I can differentiate between the tectonic plate theory and the continental drift theory.
  • I can define the word Pangaea.
  • I can compare and contrast the two extreme events caused by internal forces (volcanoes and earthquakes).
  • I can compare and contrast the two external forces shaping the Earth (weathering and erosion).
  • I can illustrate and give real life examples of weathering.
  • I can illustrate and give real life examples of erosion.
  • I can define the words drainage basin, ground water, hydrologic (water) cycle, landform, plateau, relief, continental shelf, and atmosphere.
  • I can differentiate between fresh water and salt water.
  • I can define the words evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
  • I can explain and illustrate the four steps of the water cycle.
  • I can differentiate between continental landforms and oceanic landforms.
  • I can give examples of continental landforms and oceanic landforms.
  • I can define the words solstice, equinox, weather, climate, precipitation, vegetation region, savanna, and desert.
  • I can differentiate between Earth’s rotation, revolution, and tilt.
  • I can explain how the tilt of the Earth, its rotation, and revolution causes the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • I can explain how the Southern Hemisphere is opposite of the Northern Hemisphere.
  • I can contrast the causes of weather versus the causes of climate such as solar energy and latitude.
  • I can identify and illustrate various climate and vegetation regions such as arid, semi arid, savanna, tropical, etc.
  • I can define the words global warming, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gas, fossil fuels, desertification, sustainable, carbon dioxide, emissions, and degraded.
  • I can illustrate how the greenhouse effect can lead to global warming (climate change).
  • I can infer how global warming will impact the Earth physically such as massive flooding, etc.
  • I can identify possible real life solutions humans can apply to help stop and/ or reverse global warming.
  • I can evaluate how global warming (climate change), overgrazing, fragile soil, and deforestation leads\ to desertification.
  • I can identify possible real life solutions humans can apply to stop and/or reverse desertification.

INSTRUCTION OPTIONS / ASSESSMENT OPTIONS
Unit Three – Physical Geography Part 2 (Major landforms and Tennessee History) – Third Six Weeks
Standards:
7.3.01 Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic
tools and technologies.
7.3.02 Know the location of places and geographic features, both physical and human,
locally, regionally and globally.
7.3.03 Understand the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface.
7.3.04 Understand the physical and human characteristics of place.
7.3.05 Understand that common physical and cultural characteristics create regions.
7.3.06 Understand how physical processes shape the Earth's natural landscapes and affect
environments.
7.3.07 Understand how physical systems and the physical environment affect human
systems.
7.3.08 Understand how human activities impact and modify the physical environment.
7.3.09 Understand the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's
surfaces.
7.2.01 Understand fundamental economic concepts and their application to a variety of
economic systems.
7.2.02 Understand global economic connections, conflicts, and interdependence.
7.2.03 Understand the changes that occur in the nature, use, distribution, and importance
of resources.
7.4.01 Understand different systems of governance.
7.4.02 Understand how cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and
control of resources, rights, and privileges.
7.5.01 Understand the patterns of human settlement.
7.5.02 Recognize that places change over time.
Performance Indicators:
7.3.spi.10 identify the characteristics that define a region geographically.
7.3.spi.11 recognize specific physical processes that operate on the Earth’s surface
7.5.spi.2. identify reasons why people choose to settle in different places (i.e.,
occupation, family, climate, natural resources).
7.5.spi.3. map large civilizations to discover the impact of water as a main reason
behind a society's founding.
7.3.spi.9. identify the location of Earth's major landforms and bodies of water
(i.e., Rockies, Andes, Himalayas, Alps, Urals, Sahara desert, Nile River Valley,
Great Plains, Mississippi River, Amazon River, Thames River, Seine River,
Rhine River, Danube River, Tigris River, Euphrates River, Ganges River, Volga
River, Yellow River).
7.3.spi.12. identify the six physical regions of Tennessee (i.e. Unaka Mountains,
Valley and Ridge, Cumberland Plateau, Highland Rim, Central Basin, Gulf
Coastal Plain).
7.2.spi2. Define renewable and nonrenewable resources
7.2.spi5. select the major resources, industrial, and agricultural products for the
three grand divisions from a map of Tennessee.
7.3.spi.5. select the natural resources found in the 3 grand divisions of Tennessee
(coal, copper, timber, plants, animals.)
7.3.spi.3.identify the major river systems of Tennessee.
7.3.spi.7. compare the five largest cities of Tennessee using a bar graph.
7.4.spi.3. recognize how the boundaries of Congressional districts change in the
state of Tennessee. (i.e. statutory requirements, population shifts, political power
shifts).
I can statements:
  • I can differentiate between and give examples of primary and secondary landforms.
  • I can review the seven continents of Earth.
  • I can review why rivers and other water ways were important to the first civilizations.
  • I can memorize and identify on a map the four major landforms and bodies of water in North America (Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Appalachian Mountains, and Mississippi River).
  • I can memorize and identify on a map the two major landforms and bodies of water in South America (Amazon River, Andes Mountains).
  • I can memorize and identify on a map the two major landforms and bodies of water in Africa (Nile River, Sahara Desert).
  • I can memorize and identify on a map the seven major landforms and bodies of water in Europe (Rhine River, Alps Mountains, Thames river, Seine River, Danube river, Ural Mountains, Volga River).
  • I can memorize and identify on a map the five major landforms and bodies of water in Asia (Euphrates river, Ganges river, Tigris River, Himalayas Mountains, Yellow river).
  • I can identify the six physical regions of Tennessee.
  • I can answer questions about geographical features of the six physical regions of Tennessee.
  • I can illustrate the six physical regions of Tennessee on a map from east to west and west to east.
  • I can define the words resources, renewable, and nonrenewable resources.
  • I can differentiate between industrial, natural, and agricultural products or resources.
  • I can identify the three grand divisions of Tennessee (east, middle, west).
  • I can identify and illustrate on a map the major industrial and agricultural products found in Tennessee.
  • I can identify and illustrate on a map the three major rivers and river systems in Tennessee.
  • I can identify the five largest cities in Tennessee by population.
  • I can create a bar graph with an x and y axis showing the cities and population of the five largest cities in Tennessee.
  • I can plot the five cities on the bar graph and answer questions comparing and contrasting the cities.
  • I can define the words reapportionment, census, districts, Congress, population, and representation.
  • I can explain how the boundaries of Tennessee are based on population of the state and how each district has equal population.
  • I can differentiate between the Senate and House of Representatives.
  • I can explain how each state receives two senators to represent the state in Washington, D.C.
  • I can explain how the number of representatives in the House depends upon the population of the state.

INSTRUCTION OPTIONS / ASSESSMENT OPTIONS
Unit Four – Human Geography Part 1 (Population, Migration, Economics, Government) – Fourth Six Weeks
Standards:
7.3.01 Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic
tools and technologies.
7.3.02 Know the location of places and geographic features, both physical and human,
locally, regionally and globally.
7.3.03 Understand the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface.
7.3.04 Understand the physical and human characteristics of place.
7.3.05 Understand that common physical and cultural characteristics create regions.
7.3.06 Understand how physical processes shape the Earth's natural landscapes and affect
environments.
7.3.07 Understand how physical systems and the physical environment affect human