Social Studies — Grade 7

Gridding a site

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 4–8 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Mathematics)

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: (grade 7 Social Studies and English Language Arts)

By Edie McDowell.

Lesson plans on the web

Africa's struggle with AIDS

In this Xpeditions lesson, students come to understand the enormity of the impact of AIDS on the population of Africa by comparing its effect there with its effect on the population of the world in general, and especially on that of the United States. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Ancient Egypt: Stories and myths

In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine stories and myths about ancient Egypt through time. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 7 Social Studies and English Language Arts)

Provider: National Geographic

Animals of the nomads

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about nomadic pastoralism by examining the roles of animals and the relationship between available natural resources and nomadic life in Central Asian societies. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Assessing political boundaries

In this Xpeditions lesson, students are introduced to the changing nature of political boundaries in Asia. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Boundary ballads

Students identify the boundaries that are “singing” odd geographical songs. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Can the chiru be saved?

In this Xpeditions lesson, students are introduced to the chiru of Tibet. A small deerlike animal, the chiru is endangered because it is hunted and killed for its luxurious wool. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Capturing history

Students study the political and economic reasons for the African-American migration to Northern cities between the World Wars. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

Provider: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Cities in Asia

In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify the characteristics of cities and analyze the influence of geography on patterns of urban settlement. They explore the role geography plays in the types of cities that develop. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Contour maps with DOGSTAILS

In this Xpeditions lesson, students craft miniature mountains from lumps of clay. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Famous boundaries

Students label boundaries (between states or countries) on a map and then think about the boundaries they are familiar with near their homes. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Geography and your dream job

Introduces students to the five themes of geography. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

GIS: Helping to save the African wild

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about a geographic tool known as GIS, Geographic Information Systems, and about how it is assisting the conservation efforts of ecologically-minded researchers. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Interpreting the evidence

This lesson, the second of a two-part series from Science NetLinks, offers useful information and activities to help students understand how scientists learn about civilizations that have disappeared. (Learn more)

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

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Investigating central Asia through maps

In this Xpeditions lesson, students use physical, political, and thematic maps to investigate the geography of Central Asia through a scavenger hunt. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provider: National Geographic

Kings of the Kalahari

In this Xpeditions lesson, students study the defining characteristics of deserts and apply this knowledge to a study of the Kalahari Desert. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Latitude, longitude, and mapmaking

This lesson requires students to review the concepts of latitude and longitude and to use these concepts to create maps of different countries on the computer. (Learn more)

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

Provider: 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)

Provider: National Geographic

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 Social Studies and Science)

Provider: National Geographic