7th Grade UBD – Unit 1 – Culture and Geography

Where Do People Live- The world’s
population, or total number of people, is
spread unevenly over the Earth’s surface.

Urbanization and Diversity- One of the
biggest challenges today nations face is
urbanization.

Would you like to live
in a city or in the
country? List some
interesting things you
could do if you lived
far from a city. List the
things you would
enjoy most about city
life. (5 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
answers with
theirs. What things
are the same and
what things are
different? (3
minutes)




The world’s population, or total number of
people, is spread unevenly over the Earth’s
surface.
Demographers study the populations of the
world.
Most major civilizations began along bodies
of water.
People prefer areas where the climate is not
too hot or cold, and where there is rainfall.

The world’s population, or total
number of people, is spread
unevenly over the Earth’s surface.

Some places have large numbers
of people. In other places, the
population is very small.

Population distribution describes
they way the population is spread
out over the Earth.
Key Term
Population– The
people living in a
particular region;
especially, the
total number of
people in an area.
Key Term
Population
Distribution–
The average
number of people
living in a given
area.
Video- Population Pressure

Demographers study the
populations of the world.

They examine such things
as rates of birth, marriage,
and death. They also look
at reasons why people
choose to live in certain
areas.

Why is population distribution
uneven? To answer this question,
demographers start with the
idea that people are choosy.

Much of the Earth’s landforms
are rugged mountains, hot
deserts, and dry land with little
vegetation. Few people can live
in these places.

Many factors make a
location a good place to
live. Most major
civilizations began along
bodies of water. Rivers
and lakes are used for
trade and travel. They
also provide people with
a supply of fresh water
for drinking and
farming.

People also prefer areas
of flat, fertile soil. There
they can grow food and
build easily.

Flat costal areas make it
easy for people to trade
by ship with other
countries.

Other factors affect where
people live. People prefer
areas where the climate is not
too hot or cold, and where
there is rainfall. These places
make it easier to raise food
crops and animals.

People also prefer places with
natural resources to build
houses and make products.
1.
What describes the way the population is
spread out over the Earth?
2.
Demographers study the populations of the
world. What things do they study?
What describes the way the population is spread out
1.
over the Earth?

Population distribution describes the way the population is
spread out over the Earth.
Demographers study the populations of the world. What
2.
things do they study?

Demographers study things such as rates of birth, marriage,
and death. They also look at reasons why people choose to
live in certain areas.

There may have been a
time in your life when you
or your family moved to a
new home. Or perhaps a
close friend moved away
from your neighborhood.
You probably felt a little
sad. Write down how you
would feel if you moved
to another country! (5
minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
response with
theirs. What things
are the same and
what things are
different? (3
minutes)

Migration is the movement of people from one country or
region to another in order to make new homes.

In recent years, the population of major cities has grown
tremendously.

The movement of people to cities is called urbanization.

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and
respect. It means understanding that each individual is
unique, and recognizing our individual differences.
Key Term
Urbanization–
The growth of city
populations
caused by the
movement of
people to cities.

One of the biggest challenges
today many nations face is
people migrating to cities from
farms and small villages.

In recent years, the population
of major cities has grown
tremendously.

The movement of people to
cities is called urbanization.

The problem for many cities is that
too many people are coming to
them.

Cities cannot keep up. They struggle
to provide housing, schools,
hospitals, and other services that
people need.

The country as a whole suffers. With
fewer farmers, there is less food.
Video- Are You Typical-National Geographic
Key Term
Diversity– The concept
of diversity
encompasses
acceptance and respect.
It means understanding
that each individual is
unique, and recognizing
our individual
differences.

Diversity means that there
are lots of different kinds of
things.

Just as there are lots of
different makes of cars,
bikes, and washing
machines or just about
anything you can think of,
so there is diversity among
people.

Diversity is not just about
our bodies. Where we are
born in the world can make
for a great deal of diversity
too.

There are differences in:
Languages, Religions,
Beliefs, Cultural Traditions,
Schools, Jobs, and Homes.

You don't have to go
anywhere to find diversity.
Just look around at your
family and friends and you
will find it.

Every single person you
know is different. How
about your brothers, sisters
and cousins?

There is more and more diversity
around us because: People travel
around a lot more in their own
country. They may go to live and
work in other countries.

When people move to other
countries they add their diversity
to that country in all sorts of ways food, culture, religion, beliefs,
music, and art.

As more people from different
countries come to that
country, then there is more
diversity in the population of
that country.

Everyone can learn more
about other cultures.

Everyone can work together to
make the country a good place
to live for everyone.

Some people are afraid of
diversity.

Some people are afraid of
change.

Some people want everyone
to be the same as themselves.

Some people don't want to
accept that others do not
share their beliefs.
1.
What are some problems many cities
face as people move to them?
2.
Where can you find diversity?
3.
What can be great about diversity?
4.
What’s not so great about diversity?
What are some problems many cities face as people move to them?
1.

Cities cannot provide adequate housing, schools, hospitals, and other
services that people need.
Where can you find diversity?
2.

3.
You can find diversity everywhere.
What can be great about diversity?
 Everyone can learn more about other cultures and work together to make the
world a better place to live.
4.
What’s not so great about diversity?
 Some people are afraid of diversity, while others are afraid of change, and
some want everyone to be the same as themselves.

What has been the
“muddiest” point so far in
this lesson? That is, what
topic remains the least
clear to you? (4 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
muddiest point with
theirs. Compare
what things are the
same and what
things are different?
(3 minutes)