Ohio 7th Grade Social Studies Strands

Aaron Teter

Professional Educator Program

Ed. 608

Table of Contents

• American Heritage• People in Societies• World Interactions• Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities• Democratic Processes• Decision Making Resources• Science, Technology, and Society

American Heritage Activities

• After reading The Heart of Copil, and The Eagle of Tenochtitlan, students write a diary as one of the Aztecs creating their capital.

• Students will produce a talk show interviewing an ancient Greek and an ancient Roman about their civilizations

• Students will create a timeline of their life, including personal and world events. Students will then add family events from before their birth (B.S.- Before pupil), and compare to history- B.C.

American Heritage Activities

• Students will keep a 5-line world timeline marking events on each continent as they are studied.

• Students will compose Thank-You notes to figures from the Renaissance in appreciation for their contributions to modern life.

American Heritage Sites

TIMELINES! China: B.C. and A.D.

Rise and fall of Rome Ancient Africa

People in Societies Activities

• Students will, in groups, draw political maps of the world in 1000 B.C, 1 B.C, 1000 A.D, and 1490 A.D

• Play the game Mancala, and understand invention of strategic games took place in Africa thousands of years B.C.

• Discuss archeological evidence (Possible Causes and Effects) for the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization, 1500 B.C.

People in Societies Activities

• Students will simulate bartering, understood as the major medium of trade for ancient Aztecs and Mayans.

• Design and build a Welsh castle (model), 1000 A.D., to the specific needs of a feudal lord.

People in Societies Sites

S.A. pre-1490

Ancient Germans

The Moche Civilization (Ancient Peru)

World Interactions Activities

• Students will place initials on a balloon, and describe to the class the location. Then use longitude and latitude to make it easier.

• Students will locate areas on a map in a game, given geographic clues.

World Interactions Activities

• Students will trace the paths of explorers’ ships on the world map, and explain the significance of each voyage’s mission, accomplishment, and stops they made.

• Students will reenact a day from ancient Greece, demonstrating the many social and traditional ideas that have influenced modern culture.

• Students will simulate world trade, given decks of cards, and limited resources for production.

World Interactions Sites

Quick

Maps

Slave Trade Triangle

1492: An Ongoing Voyage Aviation Educati

on

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Activities

• Students will run an election either in conjunction with a local / national / school election or separately.

• Students will debate and ratify a class Bill of Rights

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Activities

• Students will speak to the class, campaigning for or against school related issues.

• Students will break into teams for a debate, recognizing the validity and quandary when opposing viewpoints are discussed.

• The class will participate together in a fundraiser / volunteer work to benefit a charity of their choice

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Sites

CHILDREN'S BILL of RIGHTS

Democratic Processes Activities

• Students will simulate a democratic, monarchical, and dictatorial rule to the classroom, exploring pros and cons with each system.

• Students will write a short piece about which liberty written in the Bill of Rights is most important to them at this point in their lives.

• Students will create a Supreme Court, and argue relevant constitutional school cases- censorship of school papers, prayer before football games, etc.

Democratic Processes Activities

• Students will individually draft Bills of Rights for the classroom, and then discuss in small groups.

• Students will compare and contrast the Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution.

Democratic Processes Sites

Monarchy Democracy

MAGNA CARTA

The Constitution of the United States

of America

Decision Making and Resources Activities

• Students will explain how their life would be different if they worked in a sweatshop (or a legal textile factory) overseas.

• Students will read Paul Revere and I, and then discuss how differing opinions about trade contributed to the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

• Students will complete a “you’re going camping and can only carry 20 lbs.” scenario using discussion, problem solving, and debate.

Decision Making and Resources Activities

• Students will list all of the jobs they would have to do to be self sufficient, proving interdependence is necessary.

• Students will discuss how countries address problems presented by the uneven distribution of resources.

Decision Making and Resources Sites

NAFTA

for Kids!

Santa's Little Sweatshop

BRISTOL'S TRIANGLE TRADE

CONNECTIONS

Boston Tea PartyEyewitness Account by a

Participant

Science, Technology, and Society Activities

• Students will discuss the pros and cons of having an international space station.

• Students will compose a set of rules regulating or non-regulating the internet, worldwide, and in schools only.

Science, Technology, and Society Activities

• Students will explain the political benefit / costs of a technologically advanced military.

• Students will report how major technological advancements have altered society: TV, jet planes, telephone, computer, etc.

• Students will explain how advances in transportation and communication have changed international politics and the way leaders meet with one another.

Science, Technology, and Society Sites

Automakers try to get in sync with kids

todayArctic

Exploration Online

Conclusions

• The seven strands in the Ohio / Helms Model competency provide coverage of human relation from all directions of seventh grade academics.

• The focus is on historic and current relations between people and societies.

• Aspects of History, Sociology, Geography, Government, and Economics are included.