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.

Pacific Islands: A profitable paradise

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.9

In this lesson for grade seven, students conduct research and make travel brochures for the Pacific Island targeted at specific audiences. Students discuss career possibilities related to making travel brochures.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Meredith Ebert.Adapted by Kenyatta Bennett and Sonya Rexrode.

Economic planning in West Africa

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.3

In this lesson plan for grade seven, students will research the West African nation Mali and will work in groups to create proposals for improvement projects in Mali. Students will discuss careers that require creating proposals and giving presentations.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

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

East Asian trading ships

Each student will work with a partner as an owner of an overseas shipping company with one cargo ship in East Asia. Students are given these instructions in the overview: In each Asian country that you travel to you will fill your cargo ship with items that you can buy from the list of exports. You will then try to sell these items when you travel to another country that is willing to import these commodities. The winner of the game is the company with the biggest profits at the end of the pretend 15 day time period. Good Luck!

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Tami Kaiser Polge.

Australian travel adventure

Students will learn information about each of Australia's states and territories by researching information from Internet sites. They will then take what they have learned and decorate the outline of a car with symbols and pictures that represent information gained from their research.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Courtney Flynt.

Australia: Careers, collisions, and compromises

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.8

In this lesson for grade seven, students learn about Australia and discuss the compromises that are sometimes necessary between economic development and environmental preservation. Students work through problem-based learning questions using Australia as the background.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Joann Via.Adapted by Meredith Ebert.

Resources on the web

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

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

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

Drought, famine, and geographic diversity

This lesson will teach students about Ethiopia's different geographic regions to combat the misconception that the country has only drought, famine, and war. As students listen to news stories, they will recognize that the media portrayals of Ethiopia are... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic