Engage in Democratic Processes 

Analyze and Address Authentic Civic Issues 

Acquire, Apply, and Evaluate Evidence 

Read Critically and Interpret Informational Sources 

Engage in Evidence-

Based Writing 

6^th Grade Content Standards

6.1 The student will analyze data from a geographic perspective using the skills and tools of geography.  

6.1.1   Apply geographic information to support analysis from primary and secondary sources located in a variety of texts.

6.1.2   Describe how various map projections distort the surface of the earth; apply the concepts of scale,  distance, direction, relative location, absolute location, and latitude and longitude.

6.1.3   Integrate visual information, draw conclusions, and make predictions from geographic data and analyze spatial distribution and patterns by interpreting that data as displayed on geographic tools.

6.1.4    Integrate visual information and develop the skill of mental mapping of the political and physical features of Earth’s surface in order to organize information about people, places, and environments.

6.1.5    Describe and analyze the role of geographic factors on current events and issues.

6.2 The student will analyze the physical systems of the major regions of the Western Hemisphere. 

6.2.1   Use visual information to identify and describe on a physical map the landforms, bodies of water, climate, and vegetation zones that are important to each region.

6.2.2   Explain how the processes and factors of latitude, elevation, Earth-Sun relationships, prevailing  winds, and proximity to bodies of water influence climate.

6.2.3   Describe the predominant natural resources found in each region.

6.2.4   Describe the relationship and summarize the impact of the distribution of major renewable and nonrenewable resources on each region.

6.3 The student will identify the characteristics, distribution, and demographic patterns of human populations and systems of the Western Hemisphere.

6.3.1   Identify on a political map the major countries and population centers of each region.

6.3.2   Identify and describe cultural traits of language, ethnic heritage, religion, and traditions practiced among peoples.

6.3.3   Analyze the impact of geography on population distribution, growth, and change, applying  geographic concepts of population density, the availability of resources.

6.3.4   Describe how the push and pull factors of migration have affected settlement patterns and the human characteristics of places over time.

6.3.5   Compare the systems of government, including representative governments (democracy, republic, constitutional monarchy) and authoritarian systems (dictatorship, absolute monarchy).

6.3.6   Identify the role of the citizen in the selection of government officials and lawmaking; compare individual liberties under different forms of government.

6.3.7   Identify and explain topics related to indigenous sovereignty.

6.3.8   Evaluate how the three levels of economic activities (primary, secondary, tertiary) contribute to the development of a nation and region.

6.3.9   Describe benefits and limitations of the traditional, market, and command economic systems, including how government policies affect economic activities and trade relationships.

6.3.10   Identify the common characteristics of developed and developing countries, including the impact of education and technology; analyze data used by geographers such as literacy rate, life expectancy,  per capita income, and infant mortality. 

6.4 The student will analyze the interactions of humans and their environment in the Western Hemisphere. 

6.4.1   Describe the commercial agriculture and industrial regions that support human development.

6.4.2   Evaluate the effects of human modification on the natural environment through transformation caused by subsistence and commercial agriculture, industry, demand for energy, and urbanization. 

6.4.3  Analyze the impact of climate and natural disasters on human populations, including forced migration, scarcity of consumer goods, economic activities, and loss of life.

6.4.4   Analyze environmental challenges of each region. 

6.4.5   Evaluate the role of ecotourism in creating environmental awareness of resources, climate, cultures, and wildlife. 

6.4.6   Describe the role of citizens as responsible stewards of natural resources and the environment. 

6.5 The student will compare common physical and human characteristics of regions which create identity or uniqueness and influence people’s perceptions of the Western Hemisphere.

6.5.1   Define the concept of region and identify the major political, physical, cultural, and economic  regions.

6.5.2   Explain how cultural diffusion, both voluntary and forced, impacts societies of a region.

6.5.3   Describe patterns of global economic interdependence and trade, including the concepts of  balance of trade and supply and demand; compare measures of economic growth including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP). 

6.5.4   Analyze global interdependence which explains the outsourcing of technological and manufacturing jobs to developing regions.

6.5.5   Analyze reasons for conflict and cooperation among and between groups, societies, nations, and regions.