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06.01 Geography of Europe
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06.01 Geography of Europe
Instructional Unit
Social Studies - GPS (K-12)
6th Grade
Unit 1, Sixth Grade Social Studies
4 Weeks
SAMS Modification Team
Instructional Unit Content
Standard(s)/Element(s)
Standard
SS6G8 The student will locate selected features of Europe.
a. Locate on a world and regional political- physical map: the Danube River, Rhine River,
English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains,
Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula.
b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Belgium, France,
Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.
SS6G9 The student will discuss environmental issues in Europe.
a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues such as acid rain in
Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
SS6G10 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, natural resources, and
population distribution on Europe.
a. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of the United Kingdom and Russia
affect where people live and how they trade.
b. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Germany and Italy affect where
people live and how they trade.
SS6G11 The student will describe the cultural characteristics of Europe.
a. Explain the diversity of European languages as seen in a comparison of German, English,
Russian, French, and Italian.
b. Describe the major religions in Europe; include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Summary/Overview
The focus of this unit is how the physical and cultural geography shapes the environment, nations, and
people of Europe.
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Enduring Understanding(s)
At the end of this unit the student will understand that
 Every place has unique geographic features that influence how cultures develop.
 Although most of Europe is evolving into a single political unit, it is still comprised of
diverse cultures.
 Humans have an impact on the natural environment.
Essential Question(s)
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Why are people attracted to certain regions in which to live? (G10a, b)
How does the physical geography of Europe contribute to its culture? (G8a, b; 10a, b)
Why do the languages of Europe contribute to diversity? (G11a)
How do religious differences influence Europe? (G11b)
How have European actions changed the natural environment of Europe? (G9a)
Concept(s) to Maintain
Place
 Physical and human characteristics
 Impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, natural resources, population
Culture
 Diversity of people
 Language and religion
Social and Political Interactions
 Environmental issues
Evidence of Learning
What students should know:
 Location of the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European
Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula.
 Location of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United
Kingdom on a world political-physical map.
 The major concerns of Europeans related to environmental issues in Germany, the United
Kingdom and Chernobyl, Ukraine.
 Distribution of natural resources and how that has affected Europe.
 How to use climate maps, population density maps, and political-physical maps to explain
why people live where they do within the region
 How location in relationship to the physical features of Southern and Eastern Asia impacts
the population
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How to use a variety of maps (population distribution, natural resource distribution, climate,
and physical-political) to explain population distribution in relationship to the various
physical features of the region
Students should use the different types of maps found in Atlases
The impact the region’s physical features have on the type of work and modes of
transportation available.
The broad diversity of cultures in Europe.
The major differences and similarities between cultures, what makes them unique and
differentiates them from other groups
The wide diversity of religious beliefs in Europe
The major similarities and differences between these religions
Use graphs and charts
What students should be able to do:
 Skills Matrix (Map and globe skills): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
 Information processing skills: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16
Suggested Vocabulary
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Physical Features
Acid Rain
Nuclear Disaster
Air Pollution
Climate
Location
Natural Resources
Diversity
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Suggested Strategies for Teaching and Learning
Students should be actively engaged in developing their own understanding.
 Social Studies should be represented in as many ways as possible by using maps, graphs,
vocabulary, pictures, tables, graphic organizers.
 Appropriate manipulatives and technology should be used to enhance student learning.
 Students should be given opportunities to revise their work based on teacher feedback, peer
feedback, and metacognition which includes self-assessment and reflection.
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SS6G8a,b
Students will use political-physical maps of the region to diagram physical features, national capitals,
and countries of Europe. Focusing on the specific locations in the standards, students will describe the
major features of Europe using information from their diagram.
SS6G9a
Use https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ . Select the country you want, and
click on “Geography”. Read the information under “Environment-current issues”. You can also click
on the book icon to get definition of words.
I. Define:
1. Acid Rain -
2. Air Pollution –
3. Nuclear Disaster –
II. Use https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ and Google to find good
websites that will help you explain the major concerns of Europeans regarding the issues
mentioned below.
4. Germany (acid rain) –
5. United Kingdom (air pollution) –
6. Chernobyl, Ukraine (nuclear disaster) –
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SS6G10a,b
Students will research population distribution, types of jobs, major landforms, climate and natural
resources. Additionally, students will use the information from their study of selected physical
features in Europe in order to complete the chart found in this unit. After completing the chart, they
will choose one of the countries to write a 2-3 paragraph essay answering the questions: where do
people live, why do people live there, what work do they do, and how they trade?
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Country
Chart for activity G10a,b; G9a,b
Total
Major
Types of Major
Climate
Population Cities/Pop. Jobs
Landforms
United
Kingdom
Russia
Germany
Italy
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Natural
Resources
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SS6G11a
Students will use the Internet to research the countries shown on the chart of Diverse Cultures (i.e.,
Germany, United Kingdom, Russia, France and Italy). They then need to find what other countries in
Europe speak these same languages. Finally, they are to complete a Ticket Out the Door (3 questions)
showing they understand the standard.
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DIVERSE
CULTURES
MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN
(OTHER LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN
THIS COUNTRY)
ANY OTHER EUROPEAN
COUNTRIES
SPEAK THESE SAME
LANGUAGES?
(List them below)
GERMANY
UNITED
KINGDOM
RUSSIA
FRANCE
ITALY
SS6G11b
Students use their textbook, the internet, encyclopedias, and the SCIS – Europe in Transition book to
complete the chart on the three different types of religions found in Europe (i.e., Judaism, Christianity
and Islam).
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THE MAJOR
FAITHS
JUDAISM
FOUNDER
HOW MANY GODS?
(monotheistic/polytheistic)
HOLY WRITINGS or
Books
PLACE OF WORSHIP
Holy Places
BELIEFS
WHERE CAN YOU FIND
THIS RELIGION? (i.e.,
countries, regions of the
world) Highlight
European Countries
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CHRISTIANITY
ISLAM
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Resource(s)
Anchor Text(s):
The World & Its People: Student Text
SS6G8a,b: 284, 285
SS6G9a: 326, 428
SS6G10a,b: 280-283, 288-291, 341, 351, 360, 392-399, 404-408, 426-427, 441-445
SS6G11a: 286
SS6G11b: 287, 473-477
Technology:
www.maps101.com (check with your social studies contact for username and password)
www.worldatlas.com
www.country-data.com
http://www.galileo.usg.edu Georgia’s Virtual Library (see media specialist for password)
www.twip.glencoe.com
www.cia.gov
Google Earth
Map Skills
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Glencoe Daily Focus Skills Transparencies
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Outline Map Resource Book
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In Text Map Transparencies #11, #12
Map Transparencies with Overlays, Strategies and Activities – Political Map Transparency #6, #7;
Map Overlay Transparencies World Religions #1A, 1D, 1G; Map Overlay Transparencies Europe
#5A-5F
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Graphic Organizers, Transparencies, Strategies and Activities Book
Information Processing
Compare/contrast on a triple Venn diagram the three religions in Europe: Judaism, Christianity and
Islam.
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Differentiation Tool Kit
Remediation:
 Have students create a concept web that contains key points about the land, climate, and
natural resources of the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany and Italy.
Enrichment:
 Have students research the land, climate, and natural resources of the United Kingdom, Russia,
Germany and Italy. They can then prepare a bulletin board display highlighting these key
concepts for the countries mentioned.
Assessment(s)
Balanced assessments over the course of this semester will include traditional tests and
performance assessments as suggested below:
Performance Assessments
SS6G10a,b—Europe Marketing Brochure
 See lesson below
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EUROPE MARKETING BROCHURE
GEOGRAPHY UNIT
Duration: approximately 5 days in class; the remainder will be completed at home if not completed in
class.
Standard: SS6G10 (a) (b)—The student will explain the impact of location, climate, physical
characteristics, natural resources, and population distribution on Europe.
Elements: a.) Describe how Europe’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where
people live and where agriculture and industrial regions are located. Describe their impact on trade,
especially the importance of the river system and the many good harbors.
b) Explain the distribution of natural resources and how that has affected Europe.
Essential Question: How did Europe’s location contribute to its development?
Useful Vocabulary Terms: Natural resources, agricultural regions, industrial regions, location,
climate, trade barriers, empire, colonization, currency
Lesson: Create a marketing brochure in pairs for a region of Europe assigned to you by the teacher
which will describe how location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live and
where agricultural and industrial regions are located in that region. Make sure to research all countries
within that region. You will describe your European region’s impact on trade, especially any river
systems and natural harbors, if any. You may use information in your textbook, the internet, and
media center resources to create this brochure. We will spend 4-5 days in the media center/computer
lab to get you started with research. If the brochure cannot be completed in class, it will need to be
done at home as well. If that is not possible, you may handwrite the brochure. Presentation paper
will be provided to you for the brochure. You may use Microsoft Word, Publisher and/or any other
software.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please look closely for these specific countries if they are in your region:
United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, and Italy. For example in Russia, Siberia is so cold that much of
the soil is permanently frozen which inhibits farming and economic development in the region. Also,
check Russia’s location in relation to major sea lanes of the world. Does this pose a problem with
trade? Also, Russia’s climate, terrain and distance can either help or hurt trade. Keep in mind that a
lack of access to natural resources hinders trade. Look at a population density map of Russia to see
where most people live.
Textbook Pages that may be beneficial: 284-285, 340-362 (Ch. 12), 368-386 (Ch. 13)
Specific Student Directions for Brochure:
YOUR marketing job is to make people want to come to your country…for their futures!
YOUR marketing job is to attract people to your European region…not for a vacation, but to live, to
build, to produce, to manufacture, and to invest their money, their time, and their talents.
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YOUR marketing job is to create a brochure that shows and tells information in an exciting and
attractive way.
YOU must research to give future investors details about your region’s location, climate, rivers and
harbors, population density, and natural resources. YOU must also inform your readers how these
affect agriculture and industry within your region.
After you find your information, place the facts in your brochure in a pleasing and attractive manner.
Use color and craft to encourage people to visit your region. Remember typing it would be best! You
may also obtain pictures, images, etc. from Google or other websites.
YOUR marketing job is to convince your readers to invest their future in your region today!
Summarizing Activity on Presentation Day: Use the graphic organizer provided by your teacher to
compare and contrast the various European regions.
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Making A Brochure : European Region Marketing Brochure
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Writing Organization
Each section in the
brochure has a clear
beginning, middle,
and end.
Almost all sections
of the brochure have
a clear beginning,
middle and end.
Most sections of the
brochure have a clear
beginning, middle
and end.
Less than half of the
sections of the
brochure have a clear
beginning, middle
and end.
Content Accuracy
All facts in the
brochure are
accurate.
99-90% of the facts
in the brochure are
accurate.
89-80% of the facts
in the brochure are
accurate.
Fewer than 80% of
the facts in the
brochure are accurate.
Attractiveness &
Organization
The brochure has
exceptionally
attractive formatting
and well-organized
information.
The brochure has
attractive formatting
and well-organized
information.
The brochure has
well-organized
information.
The brochure's
formatting and
organization of
material are
confusing to the
reader.
Graphics go well
with the text and
with the text, but
there is a good mix of there are so many
text and graphics.
that they distract
from the text.
Graphics go well
with the text, but
there are too few and
the brochure seems
"text-heavy".
Graphics do not go
with the
accompanying text or
appear to be
randomly chosen.
Spelling &
Proofreading
No more than 0-2
spelling errors remain
after one person other
than the typist reads
and corrects the
brochure.
No more than 3-4
spelling errors
remain after one
person other than the
typist reads and
corrects the brochure.
No more than 5-6
7 or more spelling
spelling errors
errors are found in the
remain after one
brochure.
person other than the
typist reads and
corrects the brochure.
Evidence of
Learning
Explains the meaning
of the types of land
use AND resources
shown in the region
and how they
contribute to the
development of it.
Explains the meaning
of the types of land
use AND resources
shown in the region.
Explains the meaning
of the types of land
use OR resources
shown in the region.
Graphics/Pictures Graphics go well
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Does not explain the
meaning of the types
of land use OR
resources shown in
the region
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Traditional Test Items
Please use these items for the multiple choice portion of your unit tests.
Answer key is found at the end of the questions.
SS6G8a
1. Which mountain range separates Europe from Russia?
A. Alps
B. Pyrenees
C. Balkans
D. Ural
SS6G8b
2. Which country lies northwest of the European mainland?
A. Germany
B. Italy
C. Spain
D. United Kingdom
SS6G9a
3. Where did the nuclear disaster happen in April 1986?
A. Belarus
B. Ukraine
C. Italy
D. Russia
SS6G9a
4. What concerns did the Europeans have about the nuclear disaster?
A. It lasted for a short period of time.
B. Millions of children died immediately.
C. It would affect the Ural Mountains.
D. Radioactive materials spread into many European countries.
SS6G9a
5. What environmental issue is affecting Germany’s black forests?
A. Air Pollution
B. Acid Rain
C. Nuclear Disaster
D. Water Pollution
SS6G9a
6. Factories and car emissions are contributing to what environmental issue in the United Kingdom?
A. Air Pollution
B. Acid Rain
C. Nuclear Disaster
D. Water Pollution
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SS6G10a
7. Stretching from southwestern France and southeastern England through Belgium, the Netherlands,
Germany and Poland and into western Russia is an important physical feature. This area has some of
the best soils in Europe causing many Europeans to live there. What is this physical feature called?
A. The English Channel
B. The Great European Plain
C. The Scandinavian Peninsula
D. The Iberian Peninsula
SS6G10b
8. Which mountain range in Europe provides water resources for France, Switzerland, and Italy?
A. Alps
B. Pyrenees
C. Balkans
D. Ural
SS6G11a
9. What languages are the common ones spoken in Europe?
A. English, Dutch, Spanish and Russian
B. English, Spanish, German, and French
C. Spanish, German, Dutch, and Romanian
D. Spanish, French, Dutch, and Romanian
SS6G11b
10. Which religion uses the Holy Book of the Torah to worship?
A. Judaism
B. Islam
C. Christianity
D. Catholic
SS6G11b
11. The religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism are what type of religion?
A. Cults
B. Theocratic
C. Polytheistic
D. Monotheistic
SS6G11b
12. What is the place of worship for the Islamic faith?
A. Synagogue
B. Church
C. Mosque
D. Temple
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Answer Key:
1. D
2. D
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. B
10.A
11.D
12.C
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