7th Grade Learning Targets
River Valley Civilizations
1.
2.
3.
I can explain why the River Valley civilizations developed. This means that I can…
Explain the importance of location (including natural resources).
Describe the reasons for migration.
I can compare the characteristics of the River Valley civilizations. This means that I can…
Explain the development and influence of religion.
Explain the development and influence of social class systems.
Explain the need for government.
Identify the key advancements in technology.
o Transfer Goal: Draw comparisons between the characteristics of ancient civilizations and
modern civilizations.
I can identify common causes that lead to the decline of a civilization. This means that I can…
Describe the effects of internal and external factors.
Ancient Greece
1.
2.
3.
4.
I can describe the development of democracy in Athens. This means that I can…
Differentiate between a monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy.
Explain the reasons why one type of government replaced another.
o Transfer Goal: Review a modern event depicting the change of leadership in a country and
explain why that government changed.
I can explain how cultural traditions and technology shaped Greek society. This means that I can…
Explain the development and influence of religion in Greece.
Identify the contributions and influences of Greek individuals (i.e., philosophers, writers, scientists, artists,
etc.).
Describe the diffusion of classical culture and achievements throughout the world (Hellenistic Period).
o Transfer Goal: Find examples of the influence of Greek culture in the St. Louis area.
I can explain how physical geography influenced the development of Greek civilization. This means that I can…
Identify the physical characteristics of the Greek world.
Explain how physical geography caused the development of city-states.
Explain how physical geography influenced the development of different economies.
I can explain the cause and effect of war in ancient Greece. This means that I can…
Describe the reasons and outcomes of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars.
Describe the significance of the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Ancient Rome
1.
2.
3.
I can explain how geography influenced the development of Roman civilization. This means that I can…
Describe how Rome’s location was significant to its expansion and development.
I can describe the development and progression of government in Rome. This means that I can…
Explain the basic concepts of the Roman Republic.
Distinguish between Greek democracy and Roman republic.
Explain why Rome became an empire.
Describe the development of the Byzantine Empire and Justinian Code.
I can explain the causes and effects of Rome’s military expansion. This means that I can…
Identify the effects of the Punic War.
Explain the pros and cons of colonization (need for resources v. instability)
4.
5.
6.
I can explain the development and impact of religion in the empire. This means that I can…
Explain the origins and impact of Christianity on Rome.
I can explain the influence of Roman technology. This means that I can…
Identify the major advancements of ancient Rome (i.e. arches, domes, concrete, roads, aqueducts, etc.)
I can explain the internal and external factors for the fall of the Roman Empire. This means that I can…
Describe internal factors in Rome’s decline (inflation, corruption, poor leadership, disease, civil unrest,
size, use of mercenaries)
Describe external factors in Rome’s decline (invasion)
o Transfer Goal: Analyze recent current events in the United States for factors similar to those
which led to Rome's fall.
Ancient Africa and the Islamic World
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I can explain the impact of geography on the Arab world and Africa. This means I can…
Explain the development of trade routes and caravans
I can explain the development and impact of religion in the Arab world and Africa. This means that I can…
Explain the origins and impact of Islam.
I can explain the economic concepts associated with trade in Africa and the Arab world. This means that I can…
Apply the concept of monopoly, supply and demand, sources of wealth, and regional specialization to the salt and gold
trade.
o Transfer Goal: Find a modern global example of supply and demand, source of wealth, or regional
specialization that impacts your community, and how it impacts personal decision making.
I can describe the key characteristics of the major kingdoms/empires of the Arab world and Africa. This means I can...
Describe the key Islamic Empires (ex. Caliphates, Safavids, Ottomans, and Mughals).
Describe the key African Kingdoms (ex. Soninke, Ghana, Songhai, and Mali).
I can identify the major Arab and African achievements. This means that I can…
Identify key accomplishments in the areas of science, mathematics, and arts.
The Middle Ages
1.
2.
3.
I can explain the development and influence of feudal societies. This means that I can…
explain how feudalism developed by distinguishing between the roles and the relationships of kings, knights, nobles,
vassals, serfs, and peasants. (i.e. trade-offs)
compare and contrast between European and Japanese feudalism.
describe the development of medieval cities
explain reasons for the decline of European feudalism (i.e. Black Death, Hundred Years’ War, etc.)
I can explain the relationship between the Church and the rise of kingdoms. This means that I can…
explain the role of the Church during the Middle Ages.
describe the power struggle between the kings and popes.
explain the importance of Magna Carta (including ideas of limited government, rule of law, majority rule, and minority
rights)
o Transfer Goal: Demonstrate the relationship between Magna Carta and United States founding
documents.
explain the causes and effects of the Crusades on European society.
compare and contrast the Christian and Muslim perspectives on the Crusades.
I can describe major achievements of medieval Europe. This means that I can…
explain the rise and importance of the medieval university.
identify key features of Romanesque and Gothic architecture .