Thurston Middle School
Grade 7Social Studies: Links, Legacies, and Turning Points
Course Overview
Introduction
Seventh-grade Social Studies is a combination of history and geography. Students examine historical and current events issues in different parts of the world, and they recognize how cultures interact with and influence one another. They also study the earth’s physical and human geography, with an emphasis on how the environment affects where and how people live. In doing so, students learn how to use a variety of geography related tools such as maps, graphs, diagrams, and books. In addition, students’ research skills are applied and extended as they evaluate primary and secondary sources to understand different viewpoints and perspectives on historical events and patterns.
Units of Study
Unit 1: Concepts of Geography and Mapping (integrated throughout year)
Topics
- Countries of the world
- Major bodies of water
- Major physical features
- Historical maps
Skills
- Map reading
- Research
- Spatial analysis
Unit 2: Culture
Topics
- Elements of culture
- Cultural change and development
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Compare and contrast
- Using primary sources
- Research
Major Assignments and Projects
- My Culture
- Pack Your Bags (a research project)
Unit 3: Culture and Legacy of the European Middle Ages
Topics
- Feudalism
- Crusades
- Black Death
- Art and architecture
- Transition from Middle Ages to Renaissance
Skills
- Outlining
- Critical reading
- Using primary sources
- Visual literacy
- Map reading
- Research
- Cause and effect
- Reading historical fiction
Major Assignments and Projects
- Poster/Timeline research project
- Middle Ages/Early Renaissance Trade Game
Unit 4: Culture and Legacy of Silk Road
Topics
- Cultural exchange
- Influence of geography on human activity
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Cause and effect
- Historical empathy
- Map reading
Major Assignments and Projects
Unit 5: Presidential Elections (election years only)
Topics
- U.S. Constitution
- U.S. government overview
- Political parties
- Election process
- Individual candidates
- Election issues
Skills
- Compare and contrast
- Critical reading
- Visual literacy
- Using primary sources
- Mapping
Curriculum Resources
Student texts
Geography: Tools and Concepts (Prentice Hall)
The Nystom Desk Atlas
Crispin (Avi)
Classroom references
The Nystrom Atlas of World History
Medieval Times to Today (Prentice Hall)
The Black Death (Calliope/Cobblestone)
The Silk Road (Calliope/Cobblestone)
The Silk Route: 7000 Miles of History (John Majors)
Junior Scholastic newsmagazine
