Dover Sherborn Middle School Curriculum Road Maps

 

 

Course Title:     World Geography                                          Grade:  7th Grade

 

Unit:  The Middle East

 

Month Presented:  Nov./Dec.                                       Unit Length:  5 Weeks

 

Essential Question(s):

  • How has its strategic location as a global intersection influenced the Middle East?
  • What impact does its arid climate have on the economies and cultures of the Middle East?
  • In what ways has the discovery of oil transformed many countries of the Middle East?
  • What are the religious, political, and social causes and effects of the Middle Eastern conflict?
  • What are the common characteristics and values shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Locate the major countries, cities, and physical features of the Middle East.
  • Understand the historical roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  • Compare and contrast the basic beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
  • Explain why water and oil are the two most important resources in Southwest Asia.
  • Analyze the basics of the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews.
  • Evaluate the effects of conflict on the nations of the Middle East and attempts at peace.
  • Compare and contrast life in Kuwait before and after the discovery of oil.
  • Evaluate how the countries of the Arabian Peninsula have used their wealth.
  • Describe oil resources and consumption around the globe and analyze their impact.
  • Analyze the ways the nations of the Middle East have dealt with the water shortage.

 

Skills:

  • Interpreting a map key, comparing maps of different scales
  • Creating graphic organizers (charts, tables, webs, etc.) to express statistical information
  • Extracting values from ancient religious texts
  • Writing generalizations
  • Working cooperatively in groups to produce a quality product

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

  • Middle East cultures group project
  • Interpreting different types of maps, cartogram
  • Oil graphic organizer
  • Comparing similar values in verses from the Torah, Bible and Koran
  • 3 religions analogies
  • Conflict resolution activity
  • Geo Poem about a place in the Middle East

Materials Used:

  • Print:World almanac, World Eagle oil information, World water crisis article
  • Video/Multimedia:

CSMonitor video: “Islam in America”

CBS special: “The Persian Gulf War”

 

 

 

Assessment Strategies:

·        Oil graphic organizer

·        Oral and written presentation of group project

·        Map quizzes, unit test

·        Homework and notebook checks