7th Grade Social Studies: World History
Miss Backauskas – IMS – Room 206
Course Description
Curricular learning goals for each of the seven units of study support the Eight Essential
Concepts explored throughout this course. The course focuses on the development of mapping and
analytic skills, historical thinking, and increased cultural and civic awareness, as well as
integrated development of communication, reading, and writing skills.
UNITS
1 - Introduction to History and Early Humans
2 - The Fertile Crescent
3 - Egypt
4 - Civilizations in Asia: India and China
5 - Greece
6 - Rome
7 - Europe and Islam
ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS
I. Human culture and history is influenced by geographic elements of landforms, water forms,
climate, and resources.
II. Historians and scientists use a variety of methods to find out about events in history,
including written records, artifacts unearthed, and oral traditions.
III. Early humans learned to manipulate and adapt to their environment in order to survive.
IV. Civilization first began in an area known as the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East. Citybuilding is the main characteristic of civilization.
V. People in early civilizations adapted to their environments by developing new ideas and
technologies to meet their needs in their geographical regions.
VI. Migrations and militarization led to conflicts between human groups, leading to wars,
conquest, and the development of kingdoms and empires which had social, political,
technological, and cultural consequences.
VII. Religious beliefs and practices arose from the need for spiritual devotion and the need to
explain natural and supernatural phenomenon.
VIII. Trade among groups of people led to the spread of culture, new ideas, and new technologies.
IX. The need to provide participation in government by a greater number of people arose within
culture. As a result, the importance of citizens’ individual rights led to more democratic forms of
government being developed.
SKILL DEVELOPEMENT
mapping and analytic skills
historical thinking skills
cultural and civic awareness
communication skills (listening, questioning, responding, presenting, debating, teamwork)
reading skills (comprehension, organizing, summarizing, paraphrasing)
writing skills (arguments based on content, informative/explanatory texts, research)