Links for K-12 Teachers | Assessment Assistance | On-Line Practice Modules | Daily Dose of the Web

7th Grade Social Studies Skills
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape. Do not copy content from the page. Plagiarism will be detected by Copyscape.
Culture | Economics | Geography | Governance and Civics | History | Individuals & Groups | Review Help
Links verified 4/7/08
More 7th Grade Soc. Studies Links
Return to Grade Level Skills

a site for teachers | a PowerPoint show | This is an Adobe Acrobat document Adobe Acrobat document | a Word document
 sound | video format | interactive lesson | a quiz | lesson plan | to print
Culture Standards
7.1.1 | 7.1.2 | 7.1.3
SPI's & Reporting Categories
(based on Tennessee Curriculum Standards)
Internet Resources
Recognize cultural definitions (i.e., language, religion, customs, political system, and economic system.
7.1.1
HG
  1. Culture Quest World Tour - Join Parsifal Penguin and Ophelia Owl as they learn about many of the world's cultures
  2. Various Definitions of the Word "Religion" - None Are Totally Satisfying
  3. What Is "Religion"? - Well, It’s Hard to "Say Exactly"
Locate cultural information on a thematic map (i.e., languages, political systems, economic systems, and religions).
7.1.2
HG
  1. A Fundamental of Culture—Cultural Context - Lesson Plan
  2. Building Bridges - a Peace Corps Classroom Guide to Cross-Cultural Understanding
  3. Cultures of the World - a page from Great Web Sites for Kids
Compare and contrast the tenets of the five major world religions (i.e., Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism).
7.1.3
H
  1. Major Religions of the World - Ranked by Number of Adherents
  2. Major World Religions - short descriptions to give a general impression of the diversity of spiritual paths humanity takes
  3. Understanding Others - Western Religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Economics Standards
7.2.1 | 7.2.2 | 7.2.4 | 7.2.5
Recognize basic economic concepts (i.e., imports, exports, barter system, tariffs, closed and emerging markets, supply and demand, inflation, recession, and depression).
7.2.1
E
  1. Argentina: The Post-Money Economy - Barter has replaced the cash economy for many Argentines. (a report from Time magazine online)
  2. Surviving In Today's Economy Using Trade And Barter
  3. No Pesos? No problem - As Argentina's economy falters, millions turn to a booming bartering system to make do.
Define renewable and nonrenewable resources.
7.2.2
E
  1. Classify Resources - Click on Resource ID in the yellow Activities box to take a quiz.
  2. Diagram Listing Energy Types - Caution: None of the links on this page work, but the diagram is really good.
  3. Energy Kids - energy facts about various forms of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources
  4. The Energy Story - Renewable Energy vs. Fossil Fuels
  5. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  6. Natural Resources - Can We Use Them Forever?
  7. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - a quiz written by Kathy Tucker
  8. Renewable Energy and You - some things that everyone should know about renewable energy
  9. Renewable Energy Fact Sheets - there is a section of fact sheets for kids and one for adults
  10. Renewable Energy Policy Project - from the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
  11. Renewable Energy Web Links - from the Texas Solar Energy Society (whose slogan is, “The Solution Comes Up Every Morning!”).
  12. Renewable Resources in Saskatchewan - a long set of web links to use with the topic
  13. US Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Interpret economic issues as expressed with maps, tables, diagrams, and charts.
7.2.4
E
  1. Oil Production in 42 Countries - Dig into some really heavy economic data regarding the petroleum life cycle in the major oil producing countries.
  2. The State of Manufacturing in Tennessee - a report with many maps, tables, diagrams, charts and graphs This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Tennessee Economic Overview - Published monthly, this report provides current economic information for Tennessee and the state's five largest metropolitan statistical areas: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, and Tri-Cities. (use data and charts to help your students meet this spi)
  4. Using Excel to Create Charts - step-by-step instructions for your students
Select the major resources, industrial, and agricultural products from the three grand divisions from a map of Tennessee.
7.2.5
E
  1. Tennessee Agricultural Profile - a general overview, not specific as to the grand divisions This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Tennessee Agriculture - nformation about Tennessee agriculture from the general agricultural groups to the more specific commodities or products
  3. Tennessee State Agriculture Overview - 2006 - Crops - Planted, Harvested, Yield, Production, Price (MYA), Value of Production
  4. Rock and Mineral Resources - Uses of resources from TN quiz.
return to the top of the page

Geography Standards
7.3.1 | 7.3.2 | 7.3.3 | 7.3.4 | 7.3.5 | 7.3.6 | 7.3.7 | 7.3.8 | 7.3.9 | 7.3.10 | 7.3.11 | 7.3.12 | 7.3.13 | 7.3.14 | 7.3.15 | 7.3.16 | 7.3.17 | 7.3.18 | 7.3.19
Identify and use the basic elements of maps and mapping.
7.3.1
PG
  1. Are We There Yet? - students answer ten questions by reading information from maps
  2. Eight representations of a single place - Each of these images shows a representation of Mount Shasta, a volcano in California. A fantastic topographic map allows viewers to rotate the map horizontally.
  3. A Map For All Reasons - students identify the function of various parts of a map
  4. What’s On a Map? - eight questions about using various parts of a map
Locate the earth's major physical characteristics (i.e., 7 continents and 4 oceans).
7.3.2
PG
  1. GeoSpy - Select the continents game
  2. Puzzle Maps from iKnowThat.com - From the Physical Features section select Continents and Ocean. After selecting the game you will be asked to register. Click on "Maybe Later," to go to the game. The game has a "Read it to Me" button.
    1. You can find similar activities at Label Maps or Clue Maps
  3. World Continents and Oceans Games - Interactive site - Learn the world's continents and oceans with these five games.
Identify the major river systems of Tennessee.
7.3.3
PG
  1. Map of Tennessee showing the counties and the regions This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Map of Tennessee showing rivers and topography This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Map of Tennessee with physical features and quiz
  4. Navigation on the Tennessee River - Putting the waterway to work for the people of the Valley
  5. What’s Shipped on the River - Anything that’s transported in bulk quantities - the raw ingredients that go into many consumer goods - makes a good candidate for shipping by barge.
  6. Tennessee Rivers - map of the rivers
  7. Tennessee’s Special Rivers - Some rivers in Tennessee benefit from being included in the State Scenic River System or the National Wild and Scenic River System.
Distinguish the differences among rural, suburban, and urban communities.
7.3.4
HG
  1. Rural vs Urban - Health Care
  2. Rural Campus Life vs Urban Campus Life - differences on campus
  3. Urban vs Rural - definition and information about each
  4. Urban Vs. Rural Impact on Adolescent Development -
  5. Rural vs Urban- Things to consider
Create student maps illustrating geographic terminology (e.g. archipelago, atoll, bay, canyon, cape, continental divide, delta, estuary, fjord, headwaters, glacier, gulf, island, isthmus, lagoon, mesa, ocean currents, peninsula, plateau, reef, strait.)
7.3.tpi.4
  1. The Tuamotu Archipelago - the Earth's largest cluster of atolls, forming a major portion of France's overseas department of French Polynesia.
  2. Label Landforms - Label the landforms using a word bank (Items tested: archipelago, bay, gulf, isthmus, island ,lake, peninsula, river, & strait).
  3. Landforms and Bodies of Water "Look It Up" Quiz - a printable quiz from Enchanted Learning
Select the natural resources found in the 3 grand divisions of Tennessee (coal, copper, timber, plants, and animals.)
7.3.5
E
  1. State Agricultural Profile - This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Tennessee’s Mineral Industry - Tennessee's mineral industry contributes nearly $800 million in product value annually.
  3. The Copper Basin - The Copper Basin is found near the junctions of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. It covers about 60,000 acres, most of which lie in Polk County, Tennessee.
  4. Mining the Copper Basin in Southeast Tennessee - Copper was discovered in 1843. This discovery would impact the lives of Copper Basin residents for generations.
  5. The Geologic Story of the Ocoee River - Large copper deposits formed in the area we now know as Copper Basin, near Ducktown, Tennessee. Geologists think that these ore deposits probably formed from hot fluids escaping from deep within the Earth through vents in this ancient sea floor.
  6. Dates in copper mining history - a timeline of copper mining in Tennessee
  7. Mining in Tennessee - Tennessee's mining industry is vital to the state's economy. This is an Adobe Acrobat document

Locate on map specific lines of longitude and latitude. (i.e., Prime Meridian, International Date Line, Equator, North and South Poles, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and Arctic Antarctic Circles).
7.3.6
PG

  1. The Prime Meridian of the World (0° longitude)
  2. The Equator and the Prime Meridian - from Social Studies for Kids
  3. The Zero Line of Longitude (Prime Meridian of the World)
  4. A History of the International Date Line
  5. The International Date Line - from the U. S. Naval Observatory
  6. World Atlas International Date Line - map and explanation
  7. The Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn - three of the most significant imaginary lines running across the surface of the earth
  8. Arctic Circle - the invisible circle of latitude on the earth's surface at 66°33' north
  9. Arctic Circle Map - outlined on the map in yellow - the region of the Northern Hemisphere surrounding the North Pole
  10. Antarctic Circle Map - outlined in yellow on the map - the region in the Southern Hemisphere surrounding the South Pole.
  11. Basic Geography: Latitude and Longitude - from Social Studies for Kids
  12. Look up the latitude and longitude of states in the U.S.
  13. Find your Longitude - Interactive game
  14. Latitude and longitude - online Quiz
  15. USA Latitude and Longitude Activity - from Enchanted Learning
  16. Label the Latitude and Longitude - a world map from Enchanted Learning (a dull and boring page for the teacher)
  17. Latitude and Longitude Printout Glossary - to be used with the world map above.
  18. World map to use in latitude & longitude study - World Latitude and Longitude Activity to go with the map
  19. World Latitude and Longitude Outline Map - from Enchanted Learning
  20. Go to Enchanted Learning Software's Search page and enter latitude and longitude. You will find dozens of printable pages
  21. Latitude and Longitude - Introduction
Compare the five largest cities of Tennessee using a bar graph.
7.3.7
PG
  1. Total Population, Tennessee Places, Census 2000 - document with raw data This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Total Population by City, Census 2000 - an alphabetical listing This is an Excel workbook
  3. How to use Excel to create a Chart or Graph - a step-by-step module from Internet4Classrooms
  4. Tennessee - City Population - Cities, Towns & Provinces
  5. Tennessee Population and Demographics Resources - results of a Vivisimo search (use these links to find raw population data on specific Tennessee cities)
Define demographic concepts (i.e., population, population distribution, population density, growth rate, family size, and infant mortality).
7.3.8
HG
  1. Population Country Ranks - find rankings for a variety of demographic concepts
  2. Population Density
    1. Animated Map - human population growth through history
    2. Land Area, Population, and Density for States and Counties: 1990 - (Source: US Census Bureau) - raw data to use in student projects
    3. Land Area, Population, and Density for Metropolitan Areas: 1990 - (Source: US Census Bureau) - raw data to use in student projects
    4. Land Area, Population, and Density for Places (listed by state): 1990 - (Source: US Census Bureau) - raw data to use in student projects
    5. Population density - (persons per sq km) - A listing of locations ranked from greatest density to least density
    6. Summary Demographic Data - This page allows you to obtain summary demographic data and population pyramids for one country. (Data updated 9/30/2004)
    7. Where People Live on Planet Earth - a color-coded map produced from populations estimates made for 1994. (click the map for a larger version)
  3. Infant Mortality
    1. Infant Deaths/Mortality from the National Center for Health Statistics (Data are for U.S. in 2001) - links to several sets of data
    2. Infant Mortality Rates - a listing of countries from the lowest rate (Japan 3.3/1000) to the highest rate (Mozambique 199/1000)
  4. Population Growth Rate
    1. Human Population: Fundamentals of Growth - Population Growth and Distribution (good charts)
    2. Math in Daily Life - How can population grow so fast?
    3. Population growth rate - a list of countries ordered from the highest growth rate to the lowest
    4. Population Growth Rate - a learning module from the World Bank Group
    5. Population Growth Rate Teaching Activities (with answers) - a learning module from the World Bank Group
Identify the location of the earth's major landforms and bodies of water (i.e., Rockies, Andes, Himalayas, Alps, Urals, Sahara desert, Nile River Valley, Great Plains, Mississippi River, Amazon River, Thames River, Seine River, Rhine River, Danube River, Tigris River, Eurphrates River, Ganges River, Volga River, and Yellow River).
7.3.9
PG
  1. Amazon River - facts, figures and maps
  2. Danube River - facts, figures, and maps
  3. Eurphrates River - facts and maps
  4. Ganges River - facts and history
  5. Nile River - facts and maps
  6. Rhine River - facts and maps
  7. Thames River - The River Enviroment through history
  8. Tigres River - maps and facts
  9. Volga River - facts and map
  10. Yellow River - maps and facts
  11. World Geography - all aspects of geography -water, deserts, mountains and more.
Identify the characteristics that define a region geographically.
7.3.10
PG
  1. Five Themes of Geography - activity ideas are included for each of the five themes
Recognize specific physical processes that operate on the earth’s surface (i.e., erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, wind and water currents, plate tectonics, and weathering).
7.3.11
PG
  1. Plate Tectonics Quizzes - Quiz 1 | Quiz 2 | Quiz 3 | Quiz 4 | Quiz 5 (unavailable 4-7-08)
  2. Earthquake Quizzes - Earthquake Vocabulary | Earthquake Crossword Puzzle | Earthquake Match | Earthquake Exercise | Earthquake True/False (unavailable 4-7-08)
  3. This is a PowerPoint show Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics - (40 slides)
  4. This is a PowerPoint show Plate Tectonics: what is it and what makes it work? - (12 slides)
  5. This is a PowerPoint show Faults and Earthquakes - (43 slides, one very interesting slide compares the New Madrid [1811-1812] earthquake with the San Francisco [1906] earthquake)
Identify the six physical regions of Tennessee (i.e., Unaka Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Cumberland Plateau, Highland Rim, Central Basin, and Gulf Coastal Plain).
7.3.12
PG
  1. Cumberland Plateau - cuts across Tennessee roughly midway between Knoxville and Nashville
  2. Geography and Landforms of Tennessee
  3. Overview of the Geography of Tennessee
  4. Physiography of Tennessee - nine physiographic regions of Tennessee are described
  5. Tennessee Map showing counties and the seven landform regions This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  6. Tennessee's Mountain Region
  7. Upper Cumberland Plateau
  8. Valley and Ridge
  9. Upper Unaka
Recognize the definitions of modifications on the physical environment (i.e., global warming, deforestation, desert, and urbanization).
7.3.13
HG
  1. Deforestation - Why Trees Matter
  2. Deforestation - National Geographic; Deforestation and Desertification
  3. Global Warming - Habitats and cultures everywhere react to climate's rapid changes
  4. Global Warming news - Science Daily
Compare the four major families of map projections; conformal, equal-area, azimuthal, and equidistant. Explain the biases of the Mercator's versus the Peter's projections.
7.3.tpi.13
  1. Map Projections - In order to represent the surface of the earth on a flat piece of paper, the map area is projected onto the paper. There are many different types of projections, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Map Projections - This lesson emphasizes map projections and has students consider the different types of map projections and the most appropriate projections for various uses. (from National Geographic)
  3. Map Projection Overview - by Peter H. Dana, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin
  4. Projections - Maps are called projections because map-makers have to project a 3-D surface onto a 2-D map.
  5. Round Earth, Flat Maps from National Geographic
  6. Map Projections and Map Coordinate Systems - Introduction to GIS ( a 69 page document with many good illustrations) This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  7. This is a PowerPoint show Map Projections - A slide show by Francisco Olivera University of Texas at Austin
  8. This is a PowerPoint show Mapping Our Changing World - Coordinates and Projections
  9. This is a PowerPoint show Geodesy and Map Projections
Distinguish between types of maps. (i.e., political, physical, climatic, land-use resource, contour, elevation, and topographic.)
7.3.14
HG
  1. Analyze visual representation of climatic data. - animation of the 2-D or 3-D climatic maps
  2. Contour Maps - Introduction
  3. Contour Maps - Labeling contour maps
  4. Contour Map Quiz - 6 to choose from
  5. Geologic Map of Tennessee - shows deposits from the Cenozoic to the PreCambrian
  6. Land-use resource maps - Peaks Island land usage maps.
  7. Tennessee maps - elevation, political, and physical
  8. Topographic Maps - This is a real-time 3D simulation that illustrates how topographic maps are created and used to depict changes in elevation. Students are able to sculpt mountains and valleys in real-time and see the changes to the corresponding topographic map.
  9. What is a topographic map? - very clear explanation
  10. World elevation map - interactive map
  11. World Political / Physical Maps - many to select from
Interpret a map indicating scale, distance, and direction.
7.3.15
PG
  1. Finding your way with a map and compass - how to determine direction and distance.
  2. Distance and Direction on Maps - interactive exercises.
  3. Graphic scales - convert distances on map to actual ground distances
  4. Reading a City Map - interactive quiz
  5. Reading Maps - interactive quiz
View and discuss a show which shows a diverse global culture.
7.3.16
HG
 
Read and interpret a time zone map.
7.3.17
PG
  1. European Time Zone Map
  2. Map to Print - high quality map from the University of Texas
  3. Summer and Winter Time Zone Maps of Canada - links to maps for the two time zone areas
  4. Time Zones - Students read tables, charts and maps to solve problems relating to time zones. (Author - Sandi King)
  5. Time Zone Converter - caution, uncheck current time to specify a specific time
  6. U. S. Official Time - Click on one of the time zone regions to see the current correct time in that region
  7. U. S. Time Zones - a detailed map showing time zones from Maine to Hawaii.
  8. What Time is it Around the World? - (interactive time zone map) click on cities for time or highlight an entire time zone
  9. World Time Zone map with current times - an interactive site
  10. World Time Zone Maps from Koala.net
  11. World Times - Time Check Page (30 clocks from around the world)
  12. World Time Zone Map - printable map from the U. S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department
  13. World Time Zones and Time Zone Map - Time zones did not become necessary in the United States until trains made it possible to travel hundreds of miles in a day.
Analyze the environmental consequences of humans changing their physical environment (i.e., air and water pollution, mining, deforestation, and global warming).
Interpret a population pyramid.
7.3.18
HG
  1. Effects of Humans on the Physical Environment - a Case Study
Examine reasons and patterns of human migration through the use of maps, charts, and diagrams (i.e., famine, natural disasters, political and religious oppression, and wars).
7.3.18
H
  1. America on the Move - explores the role of transportation in America’s history (drag the timeline to see different time periods)
Predict the consequences of population changes on the Earth’s physical and cultural environments (I.e., air and water pollution, mining, deforestation, and global).
7.3.19
HG
 
return to the top of the page

Governance and Civics Standards
7.4.1 | 7.4.2 | 7.4.3
Define the different types of governments (i.e., democracy, autocracy, oligarchy, monarchy, and dictatorship).
7.4.1
GC
  1. Three types of governments - explanations in outline format of autocracy, oligarchy and democracy
  2. Four Types of Government - PowerPoint show online.
Using a map key, locate various governance systems.
7.4.2
GC
  1. Map of governance water system - This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Government in the 1950s - map
  3. Government in the 1970s - map
  4. Government in the 1980s - map
Identify political leaders from selected contemporary settings (i.e., United States, India, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Russia, and China).
7.4.3
GC
  1. Chiefs of State - The Central Intelligence Agency publishes and updates the online directory of Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments weekly.
  2. Past and Current World Leaders - Click on the country of the map to see a list of past and current leaders, or rulers, in the chosen country.
  3. Rulers - This site contains lists of heads of state and heads of government (and, in certain cases, de facto leaders not occupying either of those formal positions) of all countries and territories, going back to about 1700 in most cases.
  4. World Political Leaders from 1945-2005 - Select a country, or international organization, to see a list of its leaders.
  5. World Statesmen - an online encyclopedia of nations, colonies, international organizations
    and religious groups
  6. Official web sites for countries
    1. United States
    2. Canada
    3. India (U. S. Embassy)
Recognize how the boundaries of congressional districts change in the state of Tennessee (i.e., statutory requirements, population shifts, and political power shifts).
7.4.3
GC
  1. National Redistricting News - reprints of Tennessee newspaper articles from 2002 and 2004
  2. Redistricting Cases from the 2000's - Cases from many states, this link is just to the Tennessee case.
  3. The Redistricting Game - (select Redistricting in Chapter 7) This simulation allows you to influence the outcome of a redistricting battle.
  4. Tennessee Redistricting News - reprints of Tennessee newspaper articles from 2002 and 2003
  5. Tennessee Redistricting News - reprints of Tennessee newspaper articles from 2001 and 2002
return to the top of the page

History Standards
7.5.1 | 7.5.2 | 7.5.3 | 7.5.4
Identify the causes and consequences of urbanization (i.e., industrial development, education, health care, cultural opportunities, poverty, overcrowding, disease, pollution, and crime).
7.5.1
H
  1. Cities of Today, Cities of Tomorrow - Unit plan;a systematic and interactive study of cities
  2. Consequences of Urbanization - Lesson plan
  3. The Urbanization of the World - statistics and graphics
  4. Impacts of Urbanization on the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem - a paper addresses how urbanization impacts the land
  5. The drivers of change - Environmental change and its attendant health impacts are driven by many factors
  6. Rapid Urbanization Catching Experts' Attention - article about China
  7. Fear Of A Slum Planet - report - World Watch Institute warns that uncontrolled urbanization in the form of slums is contributing to serious social and environmental consequences
Identify reasons why people choose to settle in different places (i.e., occupation, family, climate, and natural resources).
7.5.2
H
  1. The Impact of European Religious Societies on Immigration and Settlement Patterns in America -
  2. Where Did The Swedes Go? - The Causes of Swedish Immigration
  3. Introduction to Immigration - Lesson plan
  4. Immigration to the United States - Lesosn plan
  5. An Immigrant's Journey - Thinkquest
  6. Migration and Urbanization - many graphics
Map large civilizations to discover the impact of water as a main reason behind a society's founding.
7.5.3
H
  1. Planning a site for a city - The Engineering Magazine 8 (January 1895): 626­637.
  2. Map of Egypt
Analyze, from a written passage, the causes and effects of change in a place over time.
7.5.4
H
 

Individuals Groups and Interactions Standards
7.6.1 | 7.6.2 | 7.6.3
Identify ways family, groups, and community influence daily life and personal choices.
7.6.1
H

 

Differentiate between the rights, roles, and state of the individual in relation to the general welfare in various regions of the world.
7.6.2
GC
  1. What Responsibilities Accompany Our Rights?
  2. Cooperation, Community and the Common Good
  3. Public Good vs Individual Rights
Recognize the causes, consequences, and possible solutions applied by governing bodies to persistent global issue using a narrative (i.e., health, security, resource allocation, economic development, and environmental quality).
7.6.3
GC

 

Review Help
 
7th Grade Social Studies Concepts
return to the top of the page
Return to Grade Level Skills

 Enter text in the search box
Search the Internet4Classrooms site


Visitors since November 2000
Click for Memphis, Tennessee Forecast
Memphis, TN
Internet4Classrooms is a collaborative project developed by Susan Brooks and Bill Byles