Central Dauphin School District
Curriculum Unit Map
Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: 6th
Topic: United States Regions
Priority PA Core Standards:
 CC.8.5.6-8.C: Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
 CC.8.5.6-8.D: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
 CC.8.5.6-8.F: Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
 CC.8.6.6-8.I: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
PA Academic Standards (if applicable):
7.2.6.A: Describe the characteristics of places and regions.
7.3.6.A: Describe the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria:
 Population
 Culture
 Settlement
 Economic activities
 Political activities
7.4.6.A: Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within regions.
8.3.6.D: Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history and development of the U.S.

Ethnicity and race

Working conditions

Immigration

Military conflict

Economic stability
KEY LEARNING:
Knowledge of geography, culture, economy and history
can be used to understand the regions of the United
States.
UNIT ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How are the regions of the United States defined
and characterized?
Texts/Resources/Materials:
CONCEPT: Northeast
CONCEPT: Midwest
CONCEPT: South
CONCEPT: West
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
Lesson Essential Questions:
What are the geographical
features of the Northeast region
and their effect on the natural
resources/economy?
What are the geographical
features of the Midwest region
and their effect on the natural
resources/economy?
What are the geographical
features of the South region and
their effect on the natural
resources/economy?
What are the geographical
features of the West region and
their effect on the natural
resources/economy?
How has immigration to the
Northeast influenced the cultural
identity of that region?
How has migration to the Midwest
influenced the cultural identity of
that region?
How has migration to the South
influenced the cultural identity of
that region?
How has migration to the West
influenced the cultural identity of
that region?




Identify the geography of
the northeast region
Analyze the culture of the
Northeast region
Identify Natural Resources
of the region and their
economic importance
Analyze historical factors
that relate to the
Northeast region
(Appalachian Mts., Atlantic
Ocean, Metropolitan Areas,
European Immigration)




Identify the geography of
the Midwest region
Analyze the culture of the
Midwest region
Identify Natural Resources
of the region and their
economic importance
Analyze Historical factors
that relate to the Midwest
region




Identify the geography of
the South region
Analyze the culture of the
South region
Identify Natural Resources
of the region and their
economic importance
Analyze Historical factors
that relate to the South
region




Identify the geography of
the West region
Analyze the culture of the
West region
Identify Natural Resources
of the region and their
economic importance
Analyze Historical factors
that relate to the West
region
(Interior Plains, Mississippi River, (Mississippi River, Atlantic Ocean, (Rocky Mountains, Continental Divide,
Great Lakes, Westward Expansion, Appalachian Mts., Everglades, Great Desert, Asian Migration, Westward
Tornados)
Migration, Hurricanes)
Expansion, Earthquakes)
Academic Specific:
(examples: analyze, trace, identify)
Analyze, identify, compare/contrast, define
Vocabulary
Domain (Content) Specific:
(examples: drama, characterization, theme)
Natural resources, immigration, migration, cultural identity, geography,
history, economy
KUD’s (know—understand—do)
RR Framework
Concepts—nouns:
(What do students need to
know/understand?)
Skills—verbs:
(What do students need to be able to do? In which quadrant do the skills belong?)
*see page 19 of SAP Learning Environment guide*
1.
2.
3.
C
4.
D
A B
5.
Unit Assessment Plan
Common Summative Activities/Performance Tasks/Assessments (from assessment bank):