Social Studies — Grade 7

Resources on the web

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)

Provided by: 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 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

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)

Provided by: 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)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

The highways or the byways: Mapping routes in North Carolina

In this lesson for seventh through ninth grade social studies and mathematics, students will use mathematical skills to choose the best routes for traveling around North Carolina. Students use internet resources for determining and plotting distance and ratio... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–9 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: UNC Libraries

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)

Provided by: National Geographic

Geography and your dream job

This lesson introduces students to the five themes of geography. Students then apply the geographical concepts in these themes to some National Geographic websites and to their own dream jobs, demonstrating ways that they could use their geographical skills... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: Xpeditions

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)

Provided by: National Geographic

Don't be fooled by a photograph

In this Xpeditions lesson, students will study images that were altered digitally to create a desired effect. Students will discuss how a photograph conveys information, and how changing that photograph can change its message. This lesson plan is based... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

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)

Provided by: National Geographic

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)

Provided by: 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)

Provided by: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

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 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Boundary ballads

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

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

Provided by: 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)

Provided by: 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)

Provided by: 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 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

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)

Provided by: National Geographic