Middle School Social Studies (0089)

IV. Geography

1. Geographic Literacy

   • Understands relative and absolute location and the physical and human characteristics of "place"
   • Understands how to utilize characteristics to identify regions.

2. Map Skills

   • Understands and interprets various types of maps.
   • Understands latitude and longitude.
   • Understands spatial patterns and their meanings.
   • Is familiar with recent technological sources of geographic information.

3. Physical Geography

   • Demonstrates knowledge of various types of physical features on the Earth's surface.
   • Understands the interrelationship between the environment and human activity.
   • Knows the physical processes related to the formation of geographic features.
   • Knows the basic pattern of climate, ecosystems and natural resources.

4. Human Geography

   • Knows spatial patterns of culture and economic activities.
   • Understands basic population patterns.
   • Understands basic patterns of land use.
   • Understands patterns and interrelationships of migration, trade and diffusion of ideas.
   • Knows basic concepts of political geography.
   • Understands how culture and cultural change, human adaptation and diversity influence human behavior.