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Middle School

Missouri State Capitol Building

Contact Information

Dr. Nancy Fuchs
Secondary Curriculum Coordinator
Email
314-983-5315

Grade 6

Priority Standards Primary Resource — World History: My World Interactive

Ancient Civilizations

Unit	Title	Enduring Understandings	Essential Questions
1	Culture	Students will understand there are many facets of culture that makeup one’s identity while also belonging to larger groups.	How does geography affect culture? What factors contribute to the development of a belief system? How do resources impact a region’s culture? How do the social structures of a society connect to its religion, politics, and economics?
2	Stone Age	Students will understand that a reliable food supply is an essential precursor to world civilizations.	Is agriculture a revolution? How do we define periods of time in history? Did life for humans become easier once they moved to food-producing?
3	Mesopotamia	Students will understand that geographic conditions are the driving force behind a civilization’s lasting impact on the world.	Is the existence of culture the same as a civilization? How does the geography of an area help create a civilization? What makes land so valuable and worth fighting for? How are achievements created by the wants and needs of a civilization? How do societies keep order?
4	Ancient Egypt/Kush	Students will understand that religion contributes to the basis of civilizations.	How does religion affect social order? How does trade help/hurt a civilization? What can we learn about a civilization based on their achievements?
5	World Religions	Students will understand that religions are more alike than different.	How is a religion affected by where and when it started? How does a religion’s beliefs impact/affect everyday life? How do places of worship reflect a religion’s beliefs? How are all religions the same? Different?
6	China	Students will understand that politics has a lasting effect on a civilization.	How are achievements a result of the government in which they were created? How does the government impact the economy?
7	Greece	Students will understand that governments develop based on the needs of the people at that time and place.	How did the geography of Greece allow for a variety of governments to occur simultaneously? How did the Athenian democracy contribute to the Golden Age of Athens? How can conflict change how a civilization is ruled?
8	Rome	Students will understand that past civilizations have an impact on present and future civilizations.	Why did America choose to adopt more aspects of the Roman Republic rather than other forms of government? How do those with little power create change? How is the influence of Roman achievements seen in America today? What factors contribute to the rise and fall of civilizations?

Grade 7

Priority Standards Primary Resource — World Geography: My World Interactive

World Regions and Cultures

Unit	Title	Enduring Understandings	Essential Questions
1	Culture	Culture is fluid because it is the sum of various aspects of a society in that place and time. Everyone has culture, and culture is unique. It’s important to honor multiple viewpoints that represent different cultures.	What is culture? How do you represent your culture? What makes a culture unique? How has your perceived identity, or identities, impacted your own life?
2	Elements of Geography	Geography influences culture, opportunities, choices, and ways of life. Maps and globes tell a story of history, politics, and economics.	How does geography impact culture? What story do maps and globes tell? How does geography affect people’s lives? How do we determine where we are in the world? How does geography affect culture? What purposes do maps serve?
3	The United States	The United States is a country created by many different groups that represent diverse backgrounds and cultures. Culture is often diffused in the United States. America’s national identity is changing to reflect its diverse population. Geography impacts regions and shapes culture in the U.S.	What shapes American culture? How do events in history shape culture? How is America’s national identity changing?
4	Latin America	Boundaries have changed over time due to colonization and a desire for independence. Latin American culture has been shaped by a mix of indigenous, colonial, and African influences.	How have boundaries changed in Latin America? How does Latin American culture reflect these changes? How does Latin American culture reflect its mixed roots, including indigenous, colonial, and African influences?
5	Europe	Geography impacts regions and shapes culture in Europe. The Holocaust was a systematic genocide that greatly impacted Europe and its people. The Declaration for Human Rights was a response to the Holocaust and strives to A right is a freedom granted to all people.	How do moments in history shape culture? How do choices impact the lives and rights of others?
6	North Africa and Southwest Asia	A difference in values and beliefs has caused unity and division in the region.	How do geographic factors affect life in Northern Africa and Southwest Asia? How do people's beliefs and values impact culture? How can these beliefs and values lead to conflict?
7	Sub-Saharan Africa	Rich resources are often the cause of conflict. History is often written by the winners, making it difficult to understand the “real” story. Cultural unity does not always adhere to political borders and boundaries.	What historical, geographic, and environmental factors have influenced the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa? What are the prized resources of Sub-Saharan Africa? How did the scramble for resources impact Sub-Saharan Africa?
8	Asia		How have the cultures of Asia balanced tradition and modernization? How do culture and religion impact current events in Asia? What factors have contributed to growth and inequality in Southeast Asia?
9	Oceania	Students will understand that the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world, and human actions have impacted this ecosystem.	How does geography impact culture? How have humans impacted life in underwater ecosystems?
10	Reaching Across Regions		What is culture? How does geography impact culture? To what extent are cultures interconnected?

Grade 8

Priority Standards Primary Resource — American History: My World Interactive

Topics in American History

Unit	Title	Enduring Understandings	Essential Questions
1	American Revolution	Nations are born out of political and social conflict.	How does conflict lead to revolution? When, if ever, is it acceptable to disobey your government and its laws? At what point did the American Revolution become unavoidable? Was the American Revolution revolutionary for all groups in America?
2	Constitution	Governments exercise power based on founding documents and laws along with contemporary values and beliefs.	How does the structure of the U.S. political system reflect American ideas about individual rights and the purpose of government? How much power should the government have, and how should the government be organized? What is the best way for citizens to bring about change?
3	Westward Expansion	Innovation and expansion, driven by economic and strategic interests, transform society in both positive and negative ways.	Did the benefits of American expansion outweigh the costs? What drives the desire to expand? What are the positive and negative impacts of expansion? How did the United States expand and what was the social, political, and cultural impact of this expansion? What progress was made toward social, political, and economic reforms? Have Native Americans been treated fairly by the United States government?
4	Civil War	Social, political, and economic differences within a country can create tension and conflict.	In what ways was the Civil War both a beginning and an ending? How did the Civil War “make” modern America? How did America’s issues with race and racism contribute to the Civil War? How was the Civil War America’s second revolution?
5	Reconstruction	After war, the process of reconciliation and healing can be filled with distrust and uncertainty.	Is the history of Reconstruction a story of continuity or change? How did structures of racism evolve rather than end after the Civil War? How did the end of Reconstruction affect the lives of future generations of Americans? How are the wounds of war slow to heal? Should the South have been treated as a defeated nation or as rebellious states?
6	Immigration and Industrialization	Economic transformation is fueled by technological and demographic changes, and such changes can lead to conflict over resources and social acceptance.	How was rapid industrial development both a blessing and a curse for Americans? How do the interests of workers and owners differ, and how do they overlap? How can workers attain economic justice? Did the American Dream become a reality for immigrants to the United States?
7	Imperialism and World War I	Students will understand that a country becomes a global power through expanding military and economic interests abroad.	What is the appropriate role of the U.S. within the global community? Was U.S. participation in World War I worth the costs? Does global power necessitate the flexing of military power? What does it mean to be a global superpower?
8	20th Century and the American Dream	While the American Dream rests on a common set of beliefs or ideologies, it has become increasingly diverse, multi-faceted, and paradoxical.	What is the American Dream and to what extent is it achievable for all Americans? In what ways does the American Dream mean different things for different Americans? How has the American Dream changed over time? What is the perspective of a given culture or region in regard to the American Dream and what factors create those perceptions?