Grade-Level Expectations for World Geography

Geography (Core Course: World Geography)

Geography

The World in Spatial Terms

1. Identify, explain, and apply the five themes of geography (G-1A-H1)

2. Compare and contrast various types of maps (G-1A-H1)

3. Analyze or interpret a map to locate geographic information, using a variety of map elements (e.g., compass rose, symbols, distance scales, time zones, latitude, longitude) (G-1A-H1)

4. Use a city or road map to plot a route from one place to another or to identify the shortest route (G-1A-H1)

5. Construct a map based on given narrative information (e.g., location of cities, bodies of water, places of historical significance) (G-1A-H1)

6. Construct a chart, diagram, graph, or graphic organizer to display geographic information (G-1A-H1)

7. Analyze, interpret, and use information in charts, diagrams, and graphs to explain geographic issues (G-1A-H1)

8. Use maps drawn from memory to answer geographic questions (G-1A-H2)

Places and Regions

9. Identify and analyze the distinguishing physical or human characteristics of a given place (e.g., landforms, precipitation, ecosystems, settlement patterns, economic activities) (G-1B-H1)

10. Evaluate how location, topography, climate, natural resources, and other physical characteristics affect human activities (e.g., cultural diversity, migration, physical features, historical events, plantation, subsistence farming) or the significance of a place (G-1B-H1)

11. Draw conclusions about a place or area from its geographic or physical features (G-1B-H1)

12. Explain how topography, climate, soil, vegetation, and natural resources shape the history of a region (G-1B-H2)

13. Explain how location, physical features, and human characteristics of places influenced historical events (e.g., World War II, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Middle East conflicts) (G-1B-H2)

14. Explain ways in which regional systems are interconnected (e.g., interstate transportation and trade, interconnecting rivers and canals) (G-1B-H3)

15. Analyze world regions in terms of given characteristics (e.g., population density, natural resources, economic activities, demography) (G-1B-H3)

16. Explain how physical or geographical characteristics (e.g., mountain ranges, interconnecting waterways) facilitate or hinder regional interactions (G-1B-H3)

17. Explain how technological advances have led to increasing interaction between regions (e.g., use of satellites for monitoring and exploration) (G-1B-H3)

18. Analyze how human activities and physical characteristics of regions have led to regional labels (e.g., Dust Bowl, New South, Sunbelt) (G-1B-H4)

19. Describe how physical, historical, and cultural characteristics give definition to a place or region (e.g., New South, Jerusalem) (G-1B-H4)

Physical and Human Systems

20. Categorize elements of the natural environment as belonging to one of four components of Earth's physical systems: atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, or hydrosphere (G-1C-H1)

21. Characterize areas or regions in terms of the physical processes that affect them (e.g., Pacific Ocean “Rim of Fire,” San Andreas fault) (G-1C-H1)

22. Examine the physical effects of Earth-Sun relationships (G-1C-H1)

23. Explain the movement of wind patterns across the earth, its relationship to ocean currents, and its climatic effects on various regions of the world (G-1C-H1)

24. Examine the effects of a physical process (e.g., erosion and depository processes, global warming, El Niño) on the natural environment and societies of an area and draw conclusions from that information (G-1C-H1)

25. Compare and contrast past and present trends in human migration (G-1C-H2)

26. Assess the role of environmental changes, economic scarcity, conflict, political developments, cultural factors, and prosperity in human migration (e.g., escape from persecution or famine, migration to the suburbs) (G-1C-H2)

27. Analyze patterns of urban development in an area or region (G-1C-H3)

28. Compare, contrast, and analyze the distribution, growth rates, and other demographic characteristics of human populations in various countries or regions (G-1C-H3)

29. Analyze the current and future impact of population growth on the world (e.g., natural resources, food supply, standard of living) (G-1C-H3)

30. Analyze population pyramids and use other data, graphics, and maps to describe population characteristics of different societies and to predict future growth (G-1C-H3)

31. Compare the role that culture plays in incidents of cooperation and conflict in the present-day world (G-1C-H4)

32. Analyze how certain cultural characteristics can link or divide regions (e.g., language, religion, demography) (G-1C-H4)

33. Identify the geographical distribution of the different economic systems (market, command, traditional, mixed) (G-1C-H5)

34. Distinguish between developed and developing countries, including the standard of living in these nations, GDP, and per capita income (G-1C-H5)

35. Analyze ways in which the distribution of economic systems relates to regional tensions or regional cooperation (e.g., North and South Korea) (G-1C-H6)

36. Analyze the role of differing points of view and national self-interest in disputes over territory and resources (e.g., oil, water, boundaries) (G-1C-H6)

37. Analyze regional issues and alliances in terms of common interests related to territory and resources (e.g., oil, water, boundaries) (G-1C-H6)

Environment and Society

38. Identify technological advances that expanded human capacity to modify the environment (e.g., steam, coal, electric, nuclear power, levees) (G-1D-H1)

39. Describe challenges to human systems and activities posed by the physical environment or the impact of natural processes and disasters on human systems (e.g., infrastructure) (G-1D-H2)

40. Analyze or evaluate strategies for dealing with environmental challenges (e.g., dams or dikes to control floods, fertilizer to improve crop production) (G-1D-H2)

41. Analyze the relationship between the development of natural resources in a region and human settlement patterns or regional variations in land use (G-1D-H3)

42. Assess the ways in which unequal distribution of natural resources has led to exploration, colonization, and conflict (G-1D-H3)

43. Analyze world or regional distribution of natural resources in terms of import need and export capacity (G-1D-H3)

44. Analyze the relationship between a country’s standard of living and its locally accessible natural resources (e.g., the effects of oil or natural gas reserves in a region) (G-1D-H3)

45. Describe the impact of the scarcity of natural resources (e.g., water shortage) or pollution (e.g., air, water) (G-1D-H3)

46. Assess the role of government in preserving natural resources and protecting the physical environment (G-1D-H4)

47. Evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs related to conservation and use of natural resources (G-1D-H4)

48. Evaluate import and export policies in regard to a country’s needs for resources (G-1D-H4)

49. Debate a position on an environmental issue involving conservation or use of natural resources (e.g., private vs. public interest) (G-1D-H5)

50. Evaluate options for solving a local or regional problem involving physical processes or environmental challenges (e.g., government disaster aid, environmental clean-up cost responsibility) (G-1D-H5)

Some high schools teach World Geography in the ninth grade, others teach Civics/Free Enterprise.