1. Connecting Themes Used in Social Studies
Unit One
Connecting Themes Used in Social Studies

2. CONNECTING THEMES Conflict and Change Culture Governance
Human Environmental Interactions
Location
Movement and Migration
Production, Distribution, and Consumption
Time, Change, and Continuity

3. Enduring Understandings
Conflict causes Change
Religions, beliefs, customs, traditions, and governments
More people = more rules and laws
Humans, their society & environment affect each other
Location affects a society’s economy, culture, and development

4. Enduring Understandings (cont.)
Movement of people and ideas affects all societies involved
Production, distribution, and consumption is influenced by location, customs, beliefs, and laws
While changes occur, there is continuity in society

5. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Relate to the Enduring Understandings
Are associated with SS Standards
Will vary from classroom to classroom
Will be addressed in daily lessons

6. Making the “Connection”
Students (that’s you!) will understand the Themes by first learning how they relate to his or her life, using real-life experiences.
Then, the student will be able to utilize these Themes in order study and understand other areas of the world.

7. Conflict and Change Elementary to Middle School Dress Code regulations
School Rules
More responsibility
Lockers
Schedules

8. Enduring Understanding
Conflict causes Change
Essential Questions:
How does conflict with your friends change your friendships?
What conflict have you experienced in your life and what change occurred?
*Please answer one of the questions on your paper in paragraph form. Be prepared to discuss your response.

9. Culture Essential Question What is Culture?
Name some things that you think help
create culture.

10. Culture Enduring Understanding:
A society’s culture is made up of religion,
beliefs, traditions, government, language,
etc.
So… Culture includes everything in our life!

11. Culture Video – Double click below

12. Culture Activity
Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast your family’s culture with a family of another culture.

13. Governance Enduring Understanding: More people = more rules and laws
Types of Government
Laws
School Rules
City and County regulations

14. Governance Essential Questions:
- How did Howard Middle School government get more complex than your elementary school government?
- Imagine what Atlanta was like in the 1800’s. What is it like now (roads, skyscrapers, airport, business)? What do you think has made Atlanta so complex?
- What about sports teams? How complex does the structures of rules of sports change the more players move up in a career?

15. Governance
Now apply this on a larger scale nationally and internationally. How do the governments of nations become more complex as those nations grow and interact with each other?
Hint: Think about the United Nations and its
functions. Do all those countries
always agree? How do they resolve
issues?

16. Human/Environmental Interaction
Flood of 1994 in Macon
Hurricanes in Florida, Louisiana
Chemical Plants in Ft. Valley
May 2008 Tornadoes in Macon

17. Human/Environmental Interaction
Enduring Understanding:
The students will understand that humans, their societies, and their environment affect each other

18. Human/Environmental Interaction
How can you affect your environment at school in a good way? What are the affects of leaving trash at break? What may happen if pollution continues to deplete the ozone? How are people affected by their environment?

19. Pollution Video – double click below

20. Macon Tornado – May 2008

21. Human/Environmental Interaction
How do you think the Macon Tornado affected people in this city? Do you know anyone who was affected?