Grade 7 - Social Studies

In seventh grade, students will explore global perspectives on contemporary issues and worldwide interdependence. The interconnected world we live in today requires that Iowa students be well-educated about worldwide issues to cultivate diplomacy, effective citizenship, and global competitiveness. Students could examine challenges facing the world community such as hunger, population, conflict, global environmental challenges, human rights, poverty, energy scarcity, global health, education, immigration, globalization, and other political, economic, social, and ecological concerns.

Inquiry Anchor Standard

Constructing Compelling Questions

SS.7.1. Compare disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a compelling question.

Constructing Supporting Questions

SS.7.2. Create supporting questions to help answer the compelling question in an inquiry.

Gathering and Evaluating Sources

SS.7.3. Gather relevant information from primary and secondary sources using the origin, authority, structure, and context of the sources to guide the selection.

SS.7.4. With guided practice, evaluate the credibility of primary and secondary sources by determining their relevance and intended use.

Developing Claims and Using Evidence

SS.7.5. With guided practice, identify evidence that draws information from multiple perspectives and sources to support claims, noting evidentiary limitations.

SS.7.6. With guided practice, develop claims and counterclaims while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both.

Communicating and Critiquing Conclusions

SS.7.7. With guided practice, construct arguments using claims and evidence from multiple sources.

SS.7.8. Independently construct responses to compelling questions supported by reasoning and evidence.

SS.7.9. Present original arguments based on credible sources using a variety of media to authentic audiences.

SS.7.10. With guided practice, analyze disciplinary arguments of peers for credibility.

Taking Informed Action

SS.7.11. Explain the challenges people face and opportunities they create in addressing local, regional, and global problems at various times and places.

SS.7.12. Apply a range of deliberative and democratic procedures to make decisions and take action in classrooms, schools, and communities.

Content Anchor Standard

Behavioral Science

Examine Factors that Led to Continuity and Change in Human and Group Behavior

SS.7.13. Identify social, political and economic factors that can influence our thoughts and behavior.

Recognize the Interaction Between Individuals and Various Groups

SS.7.14. Examine what causes inequalities and how they exist within a society.

Civics/Government

Analyze Civic and Political Institutions

SS.7.15. Distinguish and apply the powers and responsibilities of global citizens, interest groups and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.

SS.7.16. Examine the origins, purposes, and impact of laws, treaties, and international agreements.

SS.7.17. Describe the roles of political, civil, and economic organizations in shaping people's lives.

Economics

Engage in Economic Decision Making

SS.7.18. Explain and evaluate how economic decisions affect the wellbeing of individuals, businesses, and society.

Critique Exchange and Markets

SS.7.19. Explain how external benefits, costs, supply and demand, and competition influence market prices, wages, and outcomes.

Assess the Global Economy

SS.7.20. Investigate the impact of trade policies and barriers on a nation and its citizens.

Geography

Analyze Human Population Movements and Patterns

SS.7.21. Evaluate the push and pull factors involved in human population movement and patterns.

Analyze Global Interconnections

SS.7.22. Explain how the relationship between the environmental characteristics of places and production of goods influences the spatial patterns of world trade.

SS.7.23. Explain how global changes in population distribution patterns affect changes in land use in particular areas.

History

Analyze Change, Continuity, and Context

SS.7.24. Analyze connections among historical events and developments in contemporary global issues.

Compare Perspectives

SS.7.25. Explain how and why perspectives on various contemporary issues have changed over time.

Justify Causation and Argumentation

SS.7.26. Explain multiple causes and effects of various contemporary global events and developments.

Iowa History

SS.7.27. Analyze the role that Iowa plays in contemporary global issues.

Financial Literacy

Develop Financial and Career Goals

SS.7.28. Predict the relationship between financial goals and achievements.

Create a Saving and Spending Plan

SS.7.29. Analyze how external factors, such as marketing and advertising techniques, might influence spending decisions.

Analyze Credit and Debt Levels

SS.7.30. Explain an individual's rights and responsibilities as a consumer.

Evaluate Savings and Long Term Investments

SS.7.31. Explain how an investment differs from a savings account in potential risks and returns.

Iowa Social Studies Standards Document