AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Geography
IPG: Second Six Weeks
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Culture
GRADE LEVEL: 9
Overarching Idea
Culture makes groups of people similar to some people in the world but different from other groups
of people.
Guiding
Questions



Overarching Idea
People are not distributed equally on the earth’s surface.
Guiding
Questions



Overarching Idea
A nation’s size, shape, and location influence its political geography.
Guiding
Questions



How does culture affect a group of people?
Why might two groups living in the same area develop different cultures?
Why does cultural change take place more rapidly in one time period than another?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Location and Place
How has physical geography influenced the distribution of population throughout the world?
Why is the earth’s population increasing at a rapid rate?
How has the growth of urban areas impacted the environment?
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Government
Why are a nation’s size, shape, and location important to its political geography?
How do natural and artificial boundaries cause problems for governments?
Why do local and regional political systems exist?
© Austin Independent School District, 2008-2009
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Geography
IPG: Second Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 9
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Needs and Wants
Overarching
Idea
Economic activities depend on the resources of the land and how people use them.
Guiding
Questions



Overarching
Idea
A strong history of cultural diversity partnered by a rich variety of natural resources, climates, and
landforms have contributed to the development of a unique identity.

Guiding
Questions


How do people meet their basic needs?
How are economic activities linked across regions?
Why do some regions of the world have different levels of economic development than other
regions?
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Identity
How have the effects of physical and human geographic patterns shaped the national identities of
countries?
How are two countries similar to and different from each other?
How have physical and human geographic factors contributed to contemporary issues in two
countries that promote their unique identities?
© Austin Independent School District, 2008-2009
2