AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Geography
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 9
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Limits
Overarching Idea
Guiding
Questions
Issues related to climate, overpopulation, and the economy limit people in numerous areas of the
world as they attempt to modernize their societies..
 How do geographical, social, and economic factors limit people in different parts of the world?
 How are people in different parts of the world actively seeking solutions to the problems that
limit their efforts to modernize?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Resources
Overarching Idea
Numerous areas of the world face the challenge of managing inadequate resources.
Guiding
Questions
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How has the distribution of resources helped some areas and harmed others?
What type of effects can a lack of adequate resources have on a specific region or country?
How is life different for people in parts of the world that have a limited amount of resources?
How are people in different parts of the world actively seeking solutions to overcoming an
insufficient amount of resources?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Geography
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 9
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Environment
Overarching Environmental factors such as varied landforms and extreme weather patterns influence life in each
Idea
region of the world.
Guiding
Questions
 How does the physical environment in a specific region affect the lives of the people who live there?
 How do humans interact with their environment?
 How do extreme problems caused by the natural environment impact the way of life in a specific
region?
 What pressures does population place on the environment?
 What problems arise as a result of human interaction with the environment?
 What are possible solutions to address the problems caused by human interaction with the
environment?
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Culture
Overarching Long-time traditions impact the cultural development of a region.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How have ancient cultures influenced the development of contemporary societies?
What role does religion play in shaping a region’s cultural traditions and beliefs?
How are cultural beliefs and values reflected in a society’s art, literature, and architecture?
Why do some cultural traditions come into conflict with the cultural traditions and beliefs of other
societies?
 How do processes such as war, migration, and diffusion of new ideas impact cultural change in a
specific area?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Geography
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 9
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Conflict
Overarching People’s needs and wants often are at conflict with the physical and human environment of a specific
region.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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What are possible reasons for territorial conflicts within a region?
How have humans overcome conflicts brought on by nature?
What conflicts do societies face as they emerge from colonial or repressive structures of government?
How is a region’s economy and social structure impacted by conflict?
MAJOR CONCEPT #6: Location
Overarching A region’s location affects its political, economic, and social development.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How does the location of a specific area impact its population?
How are a region’s location and economic activities related?
How does a region’s location shape its political system and structure?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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