# Grade 7 Social Studies Standards (Georgia) > Georgia Standards of Excellence: Social Studies, Grade 7. 78 standards. > Source: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/social_studies/grade-7 > Interactive explorer: https://georgiahomeroom.org/explorer?subject=social_studies&grade=07 ## Africa ### Historical Understandings #### SS7H1: Africa Continuity and Change Analyze continuity and change in Africa. - **SS7H1.a**: Explain how the European partitioning across Africa contributed to conflict, civil war, and artificial political boundaries in Africa today. - **SS7H1.b**: Explain how the Pan-African movement and nationalism led to independence in Kenya and Nigeria. - **SS7H1.c**: Explain the creation and end of apartheid in South Africa and the roles of Nelson Mandela and F.W.de Klerk. ### Geographic Understandings #### SS7G1: Africa Physical Features Locate selected features of Africa. - **SS7G1.a**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Sahara, Sahel, savanna, tropical rain forest, Congo River, Niger River, Nile River, Lake Victoria, Great Rift Valley, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountains, and Kalahari Desert. - **SS7G1.b**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Sudan. #### SS7G2: Africa Environmental Issues Explain environmental issues across the continent of Africa. - **SS7G2.a**: Explain how water pollution and unequal access to water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water. - **SS7G2.b**: Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa. - **SS7G2.c**: Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa. #### SS7G3: Africa Population Distribution Explain the impact of location, climate, and physical characteristics on population distribution in Africa. - **SS7G3.a**: Explain how the characteristics in the Sahara, Sahel, savanna, and tropical rain forest impact trade and affect where people live. #### SS7G4: African Cultural Diversity Analyze the diverse cultural characteristics of the people who live in Africa. - **SS7G4.a**: Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group. - **SS7G4.b**: Describe the diversity of religions within African ethnic groups. ### Government/Civic Understandings #### SS7CG1: Citizen Participation in Government Compare and contrast different forms of citizen participation in government. - **SS7CG1.a**: Explain the role of citizen participation in autocratic and democratic governments. - **SS7CG1.b**: Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. - **SS7CG1.c**: Explain the role of citizens in choosing the leaders of South Africa (parliamentary democracy), Nigeria (presidential democracy), and Kenya (presidential democracy). #### SS7CG2: African Government Instability Analyze how government instability in Africa impacts standard of living. - **SS7CG2.a**: Describe the impact of government instability on access to education and the distribution of medicine and food to combat diseases and famine across Africa. ### Economic Understandings #### SS7E1: African Economic Systems Analyze different economic systems. - **SS7E1.a**: Compare how traditional, command, and market economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. - **SS7E1.b**: Explain that countries have a mixed economic system located on a continuum between pure market and pure command. - **SS7E1.c**: Compare and contrast the economic systems in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. #### SS7E2: Voluntary Trade in Africa Explain how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Africa. - **SS7E2.a**: Explain how specialization encourages trade between countries. - **SS7E2.b**: Compare and contrast different types of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and embargoes. - **SS7E2.c**: Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currencies between nations. #### SS7E3: African Economic Growth Factors Describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. - **SS7E3.a**: Evaluate how literacy rates affect the standard of living. - **SS7E3.b**: Explain the relationship between investment in human capital (education and training) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E3.c**: Explain the relationship between investment in capital goods (factories, machinery, and technology) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E3.d**: Explain how the distribution of natural resources affects the economic development of Africa. - **SS7E3.e**: Describe the role of entrepreneurship. ## Southwest Asia (Middle East) ### Historical Understandings #### SS7H2: SW Asia Continuity and Change Analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7H2.a**: Explain how European partitioning in the Middle East following WWI led to regional conflict. - **SS7H2.b**: Explain the historical factors contributing to the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948; include the Jewish religious connection to the land, antisemitism, the development of Zionism in Europe, and the aftermath of the Holocaust. - **SS7H2.c**: Describe how land and religion plays a role in continuing conflicts in the Middle East (i.e. the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Kurdish nationalism). - **SS7H2.d**: Explain U.S. presence and interest in Southwest Asia, including the Persian Gulf conflict and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. ### Government/Civic Understandings #### SS7CG3: Forms of Government Compare and contrast various forms of government. - **SS7CG3.a**: Explain citizen participation in autocratic and democratic governments i.e., the role of citizens in choosing the leaders of Israel (parliamentary democracy), Saudi Arabia (autocratic monarchy), and Turkey (presidential democracy). - **SS7CG3.b**: Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. ### Geographic Understandings #### SS7G5: Southwest Asia Physical Features Locate selected features in Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7G5.a**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Euphrates River, Jordan River, Tigris River, Suez Canal, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea. - **SS7G5.b**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Gaza Strip, and West Bank. #### SS7G6: Southwest Asia Environmental Issues Explain the impact of environmental issues across Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7G6.a**: Explain how water pollution and the unequal access to water impacts irrigation and drinking water. #### SS7G7: Southwest Asia Geography Overview Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7G7.a**: Describe how the deserts and rivers of Southwest Asia (Middle East) impact trade and affect where people live. #### SS7G8: SW Asia Cultural Diversity Analyze the diverse cultural characteristics of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7G8.a**: Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group. - **SS7G8.b**: Describe the diversity of religions within Southwest Asian (Middle Eastern) ethnic groups (e.g., Arabs, Persians, and Kurds). - **SS7G8.c**: Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. ### Economic Understandings #### SS7E4: Comparing Economic Systems Analyze different economic systems. - **SS7E4.a**: Compare how traditional, command, and market economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. - **SS7E4.b**: Explain that countries have a mixed economic system located on a continuum between pure market and pure command. - **SS7E4.c**: Compare and contrast the economic systems in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. #### SS7E5: Voluntary Trade in Middle East Explain how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7E5.a**: Explain how specialization encourages trade between countries. - **SS7E5.b**: Compare and contrast different types of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and embargoes. - **SS7E5.c**: Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currencies between nations. - **SS7E5.d**: Explain the primary function of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). #### SS7E6: Middle East Economic Growth Describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. - **SS7E6.a**: Evaluate how literacy rates affect the standard of living. - **SS7E6.b**: Explain the relationship between investment in human capital (education and training) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E6.c**: Explain the relationship between investment in capital goods (factories, machinery, and technology) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E6.d**: Explain how the distribution of oil has affected the development of Southwest Asia (Middle East). - **SS7E6.e**: Describe the role of entrepreneurship. ## Southern and Eastern Asia ### Historical Understandings #### SS7H3: Southern and Eastern Asia Change Analyze continuity and change in Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7H3.a**: Describe how nationalism led to independence in India. - **SS7H3.b**: Describe the impact of Mohandas Gandhi's belief in non-violent protest. - **SS7H3.c**: Explain the role of the United States in the rebuilding of Japan after WWII. - **SS7H3.d**: Describe the impact of communism in China in terms of Mao Zedong, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and Tiananmen Square. - **SS7H3.e**: Explain the reasons for foreign involvement in Korea and Vietnam in terms of containment of communism. ### Geographic Understandings #### SS7G9: Southern and Eastern Asia Features Locate selected features in Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7G9.a**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Ganges River, Huang He (Yellow River), Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Yellow Sea, Gobi Desert, Taklimakan Desert, Himalayan Mountains, and Korean Peninsula. - **SS7G9.b**: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of China, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Vietnam. #### SS7G10: Southern and Eastern Asia Environment Explain the impact of environmental issues across Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7G10.a**: Explain the causes and effects of pollution on the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) and Ganges Rivers. - **SS7G10.b**: Explain the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in India and China. #### SS7G11: Southern and Eastern Asia Geography Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7G11.a**: Describe how the mountain, desert, and water features of Southern and Eastern Asia impact trade and affect where people live. #### SS7G12: Southern and Eastern Asia Cultures Analyze the diverse cultural characteristics of the people who live in Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7G12.a**: Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group. - **SS7G12.b**: Compare and contrast the belief systems originating in Southern and Eastern Asia: Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. ### Government/Civic Understandings #### SS7CG4: Asian Forms of Government Compare and contrast various forms of government. - **SS7CG4.a**: Explain the role of citizen participation in autocratic and democratic governments [i.e. explain the role of citizens in choosing the leaders of China (communist state), Japan (parliamentary democracy), North Korea (autocracy), South Korea (presidential democracy), and India (parliamentary democracy)]. - **SS7CG4.b**: Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. ### Economic Understandings #### SS7E7: Economic Systems Overview Analyze different economic systems. - **SS7E7.a**: Compare how traditional, command, and market economies answer the economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. - **SS7E7.b**: Explain that countries have a mixed economic system located on a continuum between pure market and pure command. - **SS7E7.c**: Compare and contrast the economic systems in China, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. #### SS7E8: Voluntary Trade Benefits Explain how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Southern and Eastern Asia. - **SS7E8.a**: Explain how specialization encourages trade between countries. - **SS7E8.b**: Compare and contrast different types of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and embargoes. - **SS7E8.c**: Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currencies between nations. #### SS7E9: Economic Growth Factors in Asia Describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in China, India, Japan, South Korea and North Korea - **SS7E9.a**: Evaluate how literacy rates affect the standard of living. - **SS7E9.b**: Explain the relationship between investment in human capital (education and training) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E9.c**: Explain the relationship between investment in capital goods (factories, machinery, and technology) and gross domestic product (GDP per capita). - **SS7E9.d**: Describe the role of natural resources in a country's economy. - **SS7E9.e**: Describe the role of entrepreneurship. #### SS7E10: Personal Money Management Understand that a basic principle of effective personal money management is to live within one's income. - **SS7E10.a**: Understand that income is received from work and is limited. - **SS7E10.b**: Understand that a budget is a tool to plan the spending and saving of income. - **SS7E10.c**: Understand the reasons and benefits of saving. - **SS7E10.d**: Understand the uses and costs of credit. ## Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies (RHSS) Grades 6-8 ### Key Ideas and Details #### L6-8RHSS1: Textual Evidence in Sources Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. #### L6-8RHSS2: Central Ideas and Summarizing Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions #### L6-8RHSS3: Key Steps in Historical Processes Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered). ### Craft and Structure #### L6-8RHSS4: Domain-Specific Vocabulary Meaning Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies. #### L6-8RHSS5: Text Structure and Organization Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally). #### L6-8RHSS6: Author's Point of View Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts). ### Integration of Knowledge and Ideas #### L6-8RHSS7: Visual and Print Text Integration Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts #### L6-8RHSS8: Fact, Opinion, and Judgment Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. #### L6-8RHSS9: Primary vs. Secondary Sources Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic. ### Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity #### L6-8RHSS10: Grade 6-8 Text Complexity By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. ## Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects… Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (WHST) Grades 6-8 ### Text Types and Purposes #### L6-8WHST1: Discipline-Specific Argument Writing Write arguments focused on *discipline-specific content*. - **L6-8WHST1.a**: Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically - **L6-8WHST1.b**: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources. - **L6-8WHST1.c**: Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. - **L6-8WHST1.d**: Establish and maintain a formal style. - **L6-8WHST1.e**: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. #### L6-8WHST2: Informative Explanatory Texts Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes. - **L6-8WHST2.a**: Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. - **L6-8WHST2.b**: Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. - **L6-8WHST2.c**: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. - **L6-8WHST2.d**: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. - **L6-8WHST2.e**: Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone. - **L6-8WHST2.f**: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented #### L6-8WHST3: Narrative Writing Exemption Not applicable as a separate requirement. ### Production and Distribution of Writing #### L6-8WHST4: Clear and Coherent Writing Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. #### L6-8WHST5: Revising for Purpose and Audience With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. #### L6-8WHST6: Technology-Based Publishing Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently. ### Research to Build and Present Knowledge #### L6-8WHST7: Short Research Projects Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration #### L6-8WHST8: Source Credibility and Citation Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation #### L6-8WHST9: Evidence from Informational Texts Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research. ### Range of Writing #### L6-8WHST10: Routine Disciplinary Writing Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. ## Information Processing Skills ### SSIPS1: Comparing Similarities and Differences Compare similarities and differences. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS2: Chronological Organization Organize items chronologically. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS3: Problem and Solution Identification Identify issues and/or problems and alternative solutions. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS4: Fact vs. Opinion Distinguish between fact and opinion. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS5: Main Idea and Cause-Effect Identify main idea, detail, sequence of events, and cause and effect in a social studies context. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS6: Primary and Secondary Sources Identify and use primary and secondary sources. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS7: Timelines, Charts, and Tables Interpret timelines, charts, and tables. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS8: Social Studies Reference Resources Identify social studies reference resources to use for a specific purpose. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS9: Charts and Tables Construction Construct charts and tables. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS10: Artifact Analysis Analyze artifacts. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS11: Drawing Conclusions and Generalizations Draw conclusions and make generalizations. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS12: Graphs and Diagrams Analysis Analyze graphs and diagrams. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS13: Dates to Centuries and Eras Translate dates into centuries, eras, or ages. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS14: Research Question Formulation Formulate appropriate research questions. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS15: Information Relevancy Evaluation Determine adequacy and/or relevancy of information. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS16: Information Consistency Checks Check for consistency of information. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSIPS17: Political Cartoon Interpretation Interpret political cartoons. (Developing) ## Map and Globe Skills ### SSMGS1: Compass Rose Cardinal Directions Use a compass rose to identify cardinal directions. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS2: Intermediate Compass Directions Use intermediate directions. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS3: Letter/Number Grid Location Use a letter/number grid system to determine location. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS4: Map Feature Categories Compare and contrast the categories of natural, cultural, and political features found on maps. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS5: Map Scale Distances Use graphic scales to determine distances on a map. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS6: Map Key and Legend Use map key/legend to acquire information from historical, physical, political, resource, product, and economic maps. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS7: Geography's Impact on Events Use a map to explain impact of geography on historical and current events. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS8: Map-Based Generalizations Draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information from maps. Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS9: Latitude and Longitude Location Use latitude and longitude to determine location. (Mastery) ### SSMGS10: Maps Over Time and Perspective Compare maps of the same place at different points in time and from different perspectives to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about human activities. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS11: Maps with Data Sets Compare maps with data sets (charts, tables, graphs) and /or readings to draw conclusions and make generalizations. (Apply and Improve Mastered Skills) ### SSMGS12: Geographic Technology Software Use geographic technology and software to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about human activities.