Grade Level/Subject 6th – social studies
Unit Basic of Geography and Culture
LCS Understanding by Design Template
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Established Goals
District Transfer Goals:
1. Can demonstrate effective and creative written and oral communication in various formats appropriate for
purpose and audience.
2. Can, without significant scaffolding, comprehend and evaluate complex texts across a range of types and
disciplines, and then construct arguments and convey intricate or multifaceted information. Likewise, students
are able independently to discern a speaker’s key points, request clarification, and ask relevant questions.
3. Can solve real-world problems by applying various strategies.
4. Are self-directed learners who can self-evaluate using different perspectives.
5. Are responsible/respectful leaders/citizens who can empathize in various situations.
CCSS and Essential Standards:
6.H.1 Use historical thinking to understand the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions over
time.
6.H.1.1 Construct charts, graphs, and historical narratives to explain particular events or issues over time.
6.H.2 Understand the political, economic and/or social significance of historical events, issues, individuals and cultural
groups.
6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time..
6.G.1 Understand geographic factors that influenced the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies
and regions over time
6.G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations,
societies and regions
6.G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on
societies and regions over time.
6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments.
6.G.2 Apply the tools of a geographer to understand the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and
regions.
6.G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence,
expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions.
6.G.2.2 Construct maps, charts and graphs to explain data about geographic phenomena.
6.C&G.1 Understand the development of government in various civilizations, societies and regions.
6.C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems.
6.C.1 Explain how the behaviors and practices of individuals and groups influenced societies, civilizations and regions.
6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions.
6.E.1 Understand how the physical environment and human interaction affected the economic activities of various
civilizations, societies and regions.
6.E.1.1 Explain how conflict, compromise, and negotiation over the availability of resources impacted the economic development
of various civilizations, societies and regions.
6.E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions.
Understandings:
Students will understand the basics of the 5 Themes of
Geography: Location, Place, Human Environmental
Interaction, Movement, Region
Essential Questions:
Why did society develop in certain areas of the world?
Students will understand the traits that help organize and
identify culture: 8 Traits of Culture or GRIPES
8 Traits
GRIPES
- Social Groups
- Government
- Language
- religion
What is diversity?
What factors helped shape the development of society?
How does diversity affect people’s lives?
How do the 5 Themes of Geography affect an individual,
-
Religion
Daily Life
Art
History
Government
The Economy
- intellect
- political
- economic
- social
country, region and world?
How has and how does religion affect culture?
How governmental styles affect a society’s development?
Students will understand different types of government
which can rules a society
Students will understand how diversity around the world
affects their lives in modern world.
Students will understand factors which have allowed the
population of planet to become spread out the continents.
Students will be able to…
Compare and Contrast different places based on the 5
Themes of Geography
Students will know . . .
Analyze various cultural characteristics of a society.
5 Themes of Geography
8 Traits of Culture
Read, analyze and differentiate between different types of
maps
Various different types of maps
Create graphs, charts and maps
Apply a variety of vocabulary terms to read and
understand maps.
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Other Evidence:
Performance Tasks:
Students will create a visual/audio project which
demonstrates an understanding of the5 Themes of
Geography.
Quia quizzes
Writing
Group participation
Students will create a visual/audio project which
demonstrates an understanding of the traits which classify
culture.
Students will create a physical/political map which
incorporates various landforms and demonstrates their
understanding of the elements which make up maps.
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
What is Geography? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbgai3dK16Q
Social Studies Resource Dropbox
5 Themes of Geography - song – create something creative (song, rap, poem, etc. – visual
presentation)
Group Jigsaw – students broken in to 5 (or 6) different groups, each presentation a theme of
geography (Place can be divided into two categories – Human AND Physical characteristics).
Groups produce a visual aid to help present.
Location
Create a Compass – have students create a compass for notes with both Cardinal and
intermediate Directions)
Location Practice – various methods to have students practice using relative location
Home to School – students are to write out a set of directions to get from home to school.
Cornell Notes
Place
Physical vs. Human Characteristics – Geography Dictionary
Small group brainstorm of landforms – then categorize. Create Master chart for a word wall.
Write-a-Round – Students placed into small groups, each start writing an opening statement,
directed by teacher. Then after a minute, students pass what they wrote to left and next student
continues what was written. After everyone has added to each one, group selected best statement,
refines it and presents the group writing.
Types of Maps – Purpose, variety and elements of maps
Types of map video –
Cornell Notes
Atlas activity –where different types of maps
Fantasy Island Mapping Skills (activity on dropbox)
Eight Traits of Culture
K.W.L. on culture
Cornell Notes
8 Traits About Me – students apply what they have learned about the 8 Traits of Culture (Or GRIPES) to
themselves.
Photo Story