World Geography
Unit 1 – Geography Themes and Skills
Essential Standard 1: Examine how both, the six essential elements of geography and the geography skills, are
used to understand how our world is connected.
Score
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
Rationale
In addition to a 3.0 score, in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond what is taught such as:
 Research and analyze the effects of a physical geographic pattern on world economies. What actions did countries
take in response? Determine what preparations might lessen the impact of this pattern in the future. Write a proposal
in which you outline the problem, present several possible solutions, and recommend a course of action. Include
diagrams, charts, maps and other visual elements
 Choose a local or national issue that involves land use or economic development and research its history, the various
points of view surrounding the issue and the final outcome. Use this information to prepare an outline. Then write an
essay describing the influence of physical and human geography on the issue.
 Publish a report on the city Leavenworth that contains information about its history, government, public services,
location, climate, demographics, culture and other items of interest. Then predict how these conditions could change
over the next 10-20 years The intended audiences are the residents. The reports can be web-based, Microsoft publisher
or other pre-approved format.
In addition to 3.0, in-depth inferences and applications were partially correct.
While engaged in grade appropriate tasks, the student demonstrates an ability to:
1. Examine how geography skills provide the tools and methods for geographers to understand the relationships between
people, places, and environments
 Examine the Six Elements of Geography and the topics geographers study
 Identify the tools and application of geography and its relationship to other fields of study
 Analyze existing and emerging technologies in geography.
2. Analyze the major geographic regions of the world
 Describe Earth’s location, structure and Locate continents, oceans and major physical regions
 Identify the forces that shape earth’s surface
 Discuss the water cycle
3. Analyze the climates of the earth
 Explain the effects of the Earth-Sun Relationship on life on Earth
 Identify the factors that contribute to Earth Climates
 Describe the major climate patterns found on Earth
4. Examine how people are central to geography
 Discuss global population densities and distributions
 Describe the culture regions into which geographers classify the world
 Identify various forms of government found around the world
No major errors or omissions regarding the 2.0 elements and a partial knowledge of 3.0 elements.
No major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes such as locating or defining:
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
Hemisphere
Latitude
Longitude
Ecosystem
North Pole
South Pole
Equator
Prime Meridian
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Arctic Circle
Physical Geography
Human Geography
Meteorology
Cartography
GIS
GPS
1.5
1.0
.5
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Continental Shelf
Mantle
Continental Drift
Plate Tectonics
Subduction
Fold
Fault
Weathering
Loess
Glacier
Strait
Peninsula
Plateaus
Deserts
Moraine
Water Cycle
Condensation
Precipitation
Desalination
Groundwater
Aquifer
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Australia
Antarctica
Europe
Asia
North America
South America
Africa
Dead Sea
Mediterranean
Tropics
Sahara
Nile Delta
Hungary
Germany
Canada
Bangladesh
Mexico City
Egypt
Iraq
Pakistan
China
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
Vietnam
Climate
Axis
Equinox
Solstice
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming
Prevailing Wind
Coriolis Effect
Doldrums
Current
Natural Vegetation
Oasis
Coniferous
Deciduous
Mixed Forest
Chaparral
Prairie
Permafrost
Death/Birth Rate
Population density
Migration
Ethnic Group
Culture Diffusion
Unitary System
Federal System
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Traditional Economy
Market Economy
Mixed Economy
Command Economy
Agricultural Revolution
Industrialization
Free Trade
Pollution
The student demonstrates understanding of all 2.0 elements with help and independent understanding of some 2.0 elements.
With help, the student demonstrates understanding of all 2.0 elements or some 2.0 and 3.0 elements.
The student demonstrates understanding of some 2.0 elements.
World Geography
Unit 1 – Geography Themes and Skills
Essential Standard 1: Examine how both, the six essential elements of geography and the geography skills, are
used to understand how our world is connected.