Curriculum Map for Social Studies
Teacher: John Downs
School: Girard HS
Month
Content
Skills
Assessment
Essential Questions
Standards
August
Section 1 – Chapter 1
Exploring Geography
Section 2 – The
Geographer’s Craft
Chapter 2 – Section 1
Planet Earth
Chapter 2 – Section 2
Forces of Change
Chapter 2 – Section 3
Earth’s Water
-Describe the
physical and human
features that
geographers study.
-Explain how
geographers describe
the earth’s features
and their patterns.
-Identify the major
branches of
geography and the
topics each branch
studies.
-Describe the
research methods
geographers’ use.
-List the kinds of
careers in geography.
Describe the solar
system and identify
the earth’s shape,
structure and
landforms. Describe
the internal and
external forces that
affect the earth’s
surface. Explain how
the Earth’s water
remains fairly
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
Sept.
Chapter 3 – Section 1
Earth-Sun Relationship.
Chapter 3 – Section 3
Factors Affecting Climate.
Chapter 3 – Section 3
World Climate Patterns.
Chapter 5 – Section 1 the
Land of N. America.
Chapter 5 – Section 2
Climate and Vegetation.
Chapter 6 - Section 1
Population Patterns.
Chapter 6 – Section 2
History and Government.
Chapter 6 – Section 3
Cultures and Lifestyles of
the US and Canada.
Chapter 7 – Section 1
Living in the US and
Canada.
Chapter 7 – Section 2
People and the
Environment of NA.
constant.
The importance of
the rotation of the
Earth, the seasons of
the year and explain
the problem of global
warming. Describe
how wind, landforms
and elevation affects
climate. Identify the
climate regions of the
world and identify
the different types of
vegetation in the
world. Identify the
climate features of
the US and Canada
and the importance
of rivers and natural
resources. Explain
the climate zones of
N. America and how
human settlement
affected the natural
vegetation of the US
and Canada. –
Identify the people of
the US and Canada
and how geography
influences population
patterns. – Discuss
the government of
the US and Canada
and the importance
of technology and
industry of these two
countries. – Identify
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
Oct.
Chapter 8 – Section 1 The
Land of South America.
Chapter 8 – Section 2
Climate and Vegetation of
Latin America.
Chapter 9 – Section
1Population Patterns of
Latin America.
Chapter 9 – Section 2
History and Government
of Latin America.
Chapter 9 – Section 3
Cultures and Lifestyles of
LA.
Chapter 10 – Section 1
Latin America Today.
the languages,
religion and the
educational and
healthcare systems of
the US and Canada.
– Identify the effects
of the physical
geography on
agriculture and how
the two countries
economies are
interdependent with
other parts of the
world. – Identify the
environmental
challenges the US
and Canada face as
they enter the 21st
century and how they
are protecting
natural resources.
-- Describe the
factors that have
shaped Latin
America’s landforms
and identify the
natural resources
that are important to
the region. – What
are the climate
regions of Latin
America and how do
the landforms affect
the climate. –
Identify the ethnic
groups that make up
Latin America and
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
Chapter 10 – Section 2
People and the
Environment of LA.
Chapter 11 – Section 1The
Physical Geography of
Europe.
Chapter 11 – Section 2
Climate and Vegetation of
Europe.
decide how migration
has affected LA
culture. – Identify
the contributions of
the Incas, Mayas and
the Aztecs and
understand how the
countries of LA
transitioned to
democracy. –
Understand the
importance of art
and religion in the
cultures of LA and
identify the
importance of family
life and leisure
activities. –Identify
the basis of the
economies for LA
countries and explain
the importance of
NAFTA. – Explain
how the conservation
of natural resources
are important to LA
and identify the
problems caused by
urban growth. –
Identify the
important landforms,
rivers, and natural
resources of Europe.
–Identify the climate
regions of Europe
and the physical
features that
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
influence Europe’s
climates.
Nov.
Chapter 12 – Section 1
The Cultural Geography
of Europe.
Chapter 12 – Section 2
History and Government
of Europe.
Chapter 12 – Section 3
Cultures and Lifestyles of
Europe.
Chapter 13 – Section 1
Living in Europe.
Chapter 13 – Section 2
People and Environment
of Europe.
Chapter 14 – Section 1The
Land of Russia.
Chapter 14 – Section 2
The Climate and
Vegetation of Russia.
--Understand the
population density of
Europe and also its
migration patterns.
-- Identify the
contributions the
early Europeans
made to civilization
and the effects of
world wars and
revolutions had on
Europe.
-- How art and
religion influenced
the culture of Europe
and how European
governments meet
the healthcare needs
of its people.
-- Describe what
economic changes
are taking place in
Europe and identify
the economic systems
of Europe.
-- Define the steps
that are being taken
to protect the
environment of
Europe.
-- Identify the major
landforms of Russia
affect human systems?
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
and the natural
resources.
-- Identify the major
climate conditions of
Russia and what
types of natural
vegetation are found
in Russia.
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
Dec.
Chapter 15 – Section 1
Population Patterns of
Russia.
Chapter 15- Section 2
History and Government.
Chapter 15 – Section 2
Cultures and Lifestyles in
Russia.
Chapter 16 – Section 1
Living in Russia.
Chapter 16 – Section 2
--Identify the ethnic
groups of Russia and
where these groups
live.
-- Describe the rule
of the czars and the
Russian revolution
and explain the
collapse of the Soviet
Union.
-- Describe
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
People and the
Environment of Russia.
Semester Exam.
healthcare, art,
religion and
education in Russia.
-- Explain how
Russia changed to a
market economy and
how Russia is part of
the global economy.
-- Describe how
Russia manages its
resources and
determine the
environmental
challenges of Russia
in the future.
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
Jan.
Chapter 16 - Russia Today
Chapter 17 – Physical
Geography of North
Africa and Central and
SW Asia.
Chapter 18 – History and
Government of North
Africa and Central and
SW Asia.





Explain the
affects of
Russia’s
changing
economy.
Discuss the
environment
al and
economic
challenges
Russia faces
today.
Identify the
major
landforms of
the region.
Explain the
different
climates and
landforms of
this region.
Explain the
population
patterns
found in this
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D


region.
Discuss the
history and
govt. of the
region.
Describe the
culture and
lifestyle of
the people in
the region.
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
February
Chapter 19 – North Africa
and Central and SW Asia
Today
Chapter 20 – The Physical
Geography of Africa
South and the Sahara.
Chapter 21- The Cultural
Geography of Africa
South and the Sahara.
Chapter 22 – Africa South
and the Sahara Today.







Describe the
ways of life
in this
region.
Describe the
problems
freshwater
and the
environment
Identify the
major
landforms
and natural
resources in
Africa and
the Sahara.
Describe the
climate and
vegetation of
the region.
Examine
population
patterns of
chapter 21.
Explain the
effect of the
movement of
people in
Africa South
and describe
African
culture.
Describe
how people
make a
living in
Africa .
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
March
Chapter 23 – The Physical
Geography of South Asia.
Chapter 24 – The Cultural
Geography of South Asia.
Chapter 25 – South Asia
Today.







Identify the
physical
features and
natural
resources of
the region.
Discuss the
effects of the
climate on
South Asia.
Understand
population
density and
distribution
of South
Asia.
Review the
history of
South Asia.
Identify the
culture and
lifestyles of
culture of
South Asia.
Identify the
key
economic
activities of
the South
Asian region.
Identify the
environment
al and social
changes of
South Asia.
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
April
Chapter 26 – The Physical
Geography of East Asia.
Chapter 27 – The Cultural
Geography of E. Asia.
Chapter 28 – East Asia
Today.
Chapter 29 – The Physical
Geography of SE Asia.









Examine the
major
landforms of
the region.
Identify the
different
climate
regions of
East Asia.
Identify the
ethnic
groups and
populations
of E. Asia.
Describe the
history of the
region.
Describe the
cultural
traditions of
East Asia.
Explain life
in East Asia
today and
the
challenges
that are
there.
Identify the
environment
al problems
in East Asia.
Identify the
landforms of
SE Asia.
Describe the
climate and
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
vegetation of
SE Asia.
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources
May
Chapter 30 – The Cultural
Geography of SE Asia.
Chapter 31 – SE Asia
Today.
Chapter 32 – The Physical
Geography of Australia,
Oceania, and Anarctica.







Describe the
human
characteristi
cs of SE
Asia.
Explain the
history and
government
of the region
with an
emphasis on
Vietnam.
Examine the
cultures and
lifestyles of
the region.
Describe the
economies of
the region
with a
special
emphasis on
the
agriculture
and the
industry.
Identify the
environment
al concerns
of the region.
Identify
landforms in
Australia
and
Antarctica.
Describe the
climate.
Daily homework
Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Current event reports
How do you use maps and
other geographic
representations, tools and
technologies to acquire and
report information from a
spatial perspective?
How does a geographer
organize mental maps about
people, places and the
environment?
How do geographers analyze
the spatial organization of
people, places and the
environment on the Earth?
What are the physical and
human characteristics of
places?
What are the regions used by
geographers?
How does culture and
experience influence people’s
perceptions of places/regions?
What are the physical
processes that shape the
patterns of the Earth’s
surface?
What are the characteristics
of the ecosystems of the
Earth?
Illinois
State Goal
17:
Learning
Standards
A-D
What are the population and
migration patterns of
humans?
How are the people of the
Earth economically
interdependent?
What are the processes,
patterns, and functions of
human settlement?
How are human actions
changing the environment?
How do physical systems
affect human systems?
How are human and physical
actions changing the supply
of natural resources