7th Grade Curriculum Map
Social Studies Grade 7
Essential Questions1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How does geography affect the past, present, and future of a civilization?
How does government influence a civilization?
How do citizens gain rights in a civilization?
How does the economy influence the way a civilizations function?
How does culture influence the everyday life of a civilization?
1st Grading Period
August/September/October
Enduring Understandings
The development of Greek city-states is related to Greece’s geographical features. Greece has
had a great influence on our world today and the power of thought, from ancient philosophers
such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, to Pericles and the development of democracy. Conflict
also played a great role in the development of Greece, conflicts such as the Trojan War, Persian
Wars, and the Peloponnesian War. Greece was eventually “conquered” by Alexander the Great,
but his love of Greek culture helped to spread the Greece’s culture throughout the ancient
world.
Essential Questions:
Ancient Greece:
• Describe Greece’s geographic setting.
• Why did city-states develop in Greece?
• What were some important contributions?
• How did conflict influence the development of Greece?
• What role did Greek philosophers play in the development of Greece?
• How does ancient Greek government influence us today?
• How did Alexander the Great influence the spread of Greek culture?
History:
1. Group events by broadly defined historical eras and enter onto multiple-tier time lines.
2. Describe the enduring impact of early civilizations in India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome
after 1000B.C. including:
a. The development of concepts of government and citizenship;
b. Scientific and cultural advancements;
c. The spread of religions;
d. Slavery and systems of labor
2nd Grading Period
October/November/December
Ancient Rome and The Middle Ages
Rome is divided into two periods, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Early Rome was
greatly affected by the Etruscans and Greeks. Once the Republic was established, Rome began
to dominate the Mediterranean region through expansion and victory in the Punic Wars. The
Empire formed from Triumvirates and led to various dictatorships. The Roman Empire greatly
influenced the development of the Western World in the areas of architecture, religion
(Christianity), and government. The Empire eventually fell for a variety of reasons. The Middle
Ages in Europe and Asia was a time of great struggle. Out of these struggles the systems of
feudalism and manoralism developed. Throughout this period the Christian Church and nations
emerged as powerful forces. As a result, the Magna Carta developed, which has had a great
impact on the development of the United States Constitution. The Crusades and Black Death
also affected this period.
Essential Questions:
Ancient Rome:
• How did geography affect the development of Rome?
• How did the Etruscans and Greeks influence Rome?
• What forms of government developed during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire?
• How has ancient Rome influenced America today?
The Middle Ages:
• What forms of government developed during the Middle Ages?
• What systems of economics developed during the Middle Ages?
• How did citizens gain rights during this period?
• How did the Christian Church influence society?
• What similarities exist between European and Asian feudalism?
• How did the Crusades and the Black Death influence European and Middle Eastern cultures?
• What effect did the Magna Carta have on the development of kingdoms and American
government?
History: 1. Group events by broadly defined historical eras and enter onto multipletier time
lines.
2. Describe the enduring impact of early civilizations in India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome
after 1000B.C. including:
a. The development of concepts of government and citizenship;
b. Scientific and cultural advancements;
c. The spread of religions;
d. Slavery and systems of labor.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of rebirth and rediscovery of Ancient Roman and Greek antiquity.
Advancements in art, architecture, and science occurred and greatly affected the world as a
whole. Cities and trade among nations continued to grow. Corruption in the Catholic Church led
to the Reformation.
Essential Questions
The Renaissance:
• What is the Renaissance?
• How do the thoughts and ideas of the Renaissance influence our lives today?
• How did this time period influence the development of cities and the establishment of trade?
• What is the Reformation?
History: 1. Group events by broadly defined historical eras and enter onto multipletier time lines
5. Describe the impact of new ideas and institutions on European life including:
a. The significance of printing with movable type;
b. Major achievements in art, architecture and literature during the Renaissance;
c. The Reformation
Assessments:
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Geography Assessments
• Extended Response
• Web Page Creation
• Note taking and study skill strategies and checks