Download 6th Grade Curriculum

Grade 6 World Geography
Month
Content
Introduction to Geography
Skills
Describe the discipline of geography as a social science
Identify and describe the six essential elements of geography (note: the five themes of
geography are represented in the six essential elements)
Theme 1: The World in Spatial Terms
Geographic representations of the world in maps,
geographic markers and boundaries, and map skills
Theme 1
Explain the concept of political borders and how they are man-made constructs
Locate major geographic markers (e.g., the four hemispheres, the continents, the oceans, etc.)
Identify and explain the function of major parts of a map (e.g., compass rose, map legend, map
scale, etc.)
Identify and explain the function of major components of latitude and longitude (e.g.,
meridians, parallels, equator, prime meridian, international date line, tropics, etc.)
Use latitude and longitude to find locations on a map
Determine the latitude and longitude of locations using a map
Use a time zone map to determine the relative times of various world cities
Theme 2: Physical Systems
Physical systems and processes of the earth and the
relationship between humans and the environment
Theme 2
Describe and explain the significance of major environmental patterns (e.g., climate, seasonal
climate change, erosion, water cycle, plate tectonics, etc.)
Identify natural resources.
Explain the impact human behaviors have upon the environment (e.g., desertification,
deforestation, global warming, etc.)
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Month
Content
Theme 4: Political Systems (Government and Economy)
Governments and economies of the world with an emphasis
on the US economy
Skills
Theme 4
World Government Systems
Identify and describe major world government systems (e.g., democracy, dictatorship,
monarchy, communism, socialism, etc.)
Compare and contrast major world government systems and the government of the United
States
World Economic Systems
Identify and describe major world economic systems (e.g., traditional, market, command, etc.)
Explain how the rise of international trade has led to interdependence among the nations of the
world and globalization
US Economy
Explain how market prices signal producers about what, how and how much to produce.
Describe the causes of unemployment (e.g., seasonal fluctuation in demand, changing jobs,
changing skill requirements, national spending).
Describe the “market price” of a good or service, as it relates to supply and demand.
Explain the effects of business competition on consumers and the economy as a whole.
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Month
Content
Theme 3: Human Systems
Human populations and culture
*Theme 3 is to be taught after Theme 4, as culture is the
culmination of all other parts of society
Skills
Theme 3
Populations
Identify and describe the factors that influence human population distribution and density
Explain the influence population density has upon quality of life and the environment
Identify and describe the processes that influence population change and composition (e.g.,
birthrate, death rate, demographic change, etc.)
Identify and describe the different types of migration (e.g., internal vs. external, push vs. pull)
Explain the major causes of migration (e.g., economy, politics, war, environment, culture,
technology, push vs. pull factors, voluntary vs. involuntary, etc.)
Compare and contrast the characteristics of developing and developed nations
Explain the relationship between natural resources and economy
Compare and contrast the quality of life for human beings living in developing and developed
nations (e.g., wealth, diet, infant and child mortality, life expectancy, disease, health care
conditions, etc.)
Culture
Define culture and explain its role in society and in individuals’ lives
Identify cultural traits among different cultures of the world
Explain how belief systems, such as religion, political ideals, or ethics, influence a culture
Explain how patterns of behavior reflect cultural values and beliefs
Explain the process of cultural diffusion and cultural diversity, and how individuals learn the
elements of their culture through interactions with others
Explain the concept of cultural conflict and how behaviors and beliefs of different cultures can
pose barriers to cross –cultural understanding
Theme 5: Current Events
Current Events and an introduction to the historical method
*This is a theme that should be integrated into the
curriculum throughout the year
Theme 5
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources
Analyze primary and secondary sources to determine the main idea of the source
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