Social Studies — Grade 7

To market, to market: Photograph analysis

In this lesson, students analyze photos of markets from around the world to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between geographically distant places, to learn about the economic and cultural significance of markets, and to improve visual literacy skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Regions of Nepal: A virtual trek

This lesson for grade seven helps students understand the connections between geography and culture. Students experience a virtual trek through the different regions of Nepal, conduct research about the ethnic groups living in each region, and maintain travel logs documenting what they've learned.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

Gridding a site

In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.2

In their study of how to grid a site, students will use a map and the Cartesian coordinate system to establish a grid system over an archaeological site, labeling each grid unit; determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit; and construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Africa: Interpreting physical maps

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.1

In this lesson for grade seven, students look at a physical map of Africa and use it to speculate how the geography of a given region might affect human culture in that area.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)

By Mary B. Taylor.Adapted by Kenyatta Bennett and Sonya Rexrode.

Resources on the web

Where in the world would you like to live?

Students compare thematic maps of the continents and the world as a whole to determine where they would like to live. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

What makes a group?

Students will review the different groups in “A Patchwork of Ethnic Minorities,” one of the inset maps, and examine different ways that people can be organized into groups. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Trekking to Timbuktu—student version

Students take the role of the makers of a TV travel adventure show and research Timbuktu as a potential location for an episode of the series. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities

The travels of Ibn Battuta

In this Xpeditions lesson, students work in groups to research the different areas that the 14th-century Islamic traveler Ibn Battuta visited. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Through the eyes of a refugee

This lesson asks students to analyze the “Afghanistan, Land in Crisis” map (available in print and online) to determine how the physical geography of this region affects the lifestyles of the individuals who live there. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

The shape of things to come

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the shapes of countries around the world. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

River sources and stories

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the differences in precipitation levels and elevation in the regions of the Nile and its source rivers (the White Nile and the Blue Nile). (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle

This Xpeditions lesson offers students an opportunity to use economic and social indicators to identify the connection between a country's access to resources and its economic development. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Reviving Bodie

Students will work in groups to write guides for a ghost town's new potential citizens, explaining the things they need to know about the town's climate, landscape, location, natural resources, and history. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Information Skills and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Religion and belief systems in Asia

In this Xpeditions lesson, students conduct an in-depth review of one of the major world religions by focusing on its origins, beliefs, and history. They then explore reasons for the spread or decline in Asia of each of the major world religions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Products across borders

In this lesson, students identify foreign products available in the United States and learn about U.S. companies that sell products abroad. The students discuss globalization and illustrate two maps to show where products come from and where they're sold. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Oil and water in the Middle East region

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the roles of oil and water in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. Students use maps to look at the distribution of oil in the Middle East and discuss what it means for the different countries in the region. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Off the scale

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use real-world examples to solve problems involving scale as they examine maps of their home states and calculate distances between cities. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Mapping the past

Students gain experience in working with historical maps as cultural artifacts that reflect the views of particular times and places. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities

Living through a drought

In this Xpeditions lesson, students practice map-reading skills. Using a drought map of Afghanistan, students learn how to recognize drought, where drought can occur, and how drought affects the people who live in those places. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Lions and people: Keeping the balance

In this Xpeditions lesson, students read an article about the conflicts between lions and people. They focus on an area of Kenya outside of the national park system that is being managed and studied in an attempt to maintain a healthy lion population. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic