Natick Public Schools
Social Studies
Grade 7
Geography
Academic Expectations of Student Learning:
Introductory Unit: Geography of Natick
Students will:
 use new geography skills to create a neighborhood map
 make connections between geography, culture, and the economy as it relates to their
local area
Unit One: Introduction to Geography Via Europe
Students will:
 demonstrate understanding of:
 the five themes of geography
 various types of maps used by geographers
 tools that are used by geographers to locate places
 major geographic features of Europe
 location the countries, major cities, and features in Europe
 recognize that the following factors affect Europe:
 absolute and relative location
 climate
 major physical characteristics
 major natural resources
 population size
Unit Two: Geography of Western (The Middle East), Central, and Southern Asia
Students will:
 be able to locate the major features of Western, Central, and Southern Asia and locate
the countries of Western, Central, and Southern Asia
 recognize that the following factors have played in the Middle East and in Central and
Southern Asia:
 absolute and relative location
 climate
 major physical characteristics
 major natural resources
 population size
 identify the various ethnic and religious groups of Western, Central, and Southern
Asia
 understand when the countries of Western, Central, and Southern Asia became
independent nations
 compare and contrast the political and social status of women in Western, Central,
and Southern Asia
Unit Three: Geography of Southeast Asia and the Pacific World
Students will:
 identify the major features of Southeast Asia and Oceania
 locate the countries and major cities of Southeast Asia and Oceania
 understand how Southeast Asia was settled and who settled it
 recognize that the following factors influenced settlements and the economies of
Central and Southeast Asia
 absolute and relative location
 climate
 major physical characteristics
 major natural resources
 population size
 identify the indigenous people of Southeast Asia and Australia
 describe the role of colonialism in Southeast Asia
Unit Four: Geography of South America
Students will:
 be able to identify the major features in and around South America
 locate the countries and major cities in South America
 understand how independence was achieved throughout South America
 describe the major ethnic and religious groups of South America
 be able to explain the role that geography played in the settlement and economies in
South American countries using the following factors:
 absolute and relative location
 climate
 major physical characteristics
 major natural resources
 population size