Common Planner
K–12 Standards

World Geography

Other Tennessee Social Studies sets

Social Studies Practices

  • 1

    Collect data and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including:SSP.01

    1. 1

      Printed materialsSSP.01.1

    2. 2

      Graphic representationsSSP.01.2

    3. 3

      Field observations/Landscape analysisSSP.01.3

    4. 4

      ArtifactsSSP.01.4

    5. 5

      Media and technology sourcesSSP.01.5

    6. 6

      Oral HistorySSP.01.6

  • 2

    Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to:SSP.02

    1. 1

      Extract, summarize, and paraphrase significant ideas and relevant informationSSP.02.1

    2. 2

      Discern differences between evidence and assertionSSP.02.2

    3. 3

      Recognize the significance of author’s purpose, point of view, and biasSSP.02.3

    4. 4

      Draw logical inferences and conclusionsSSP.02.4

    5. 5

      Assess the strengths and limitations of argumentsSSP.02.5

  • 3

    Synthesize data from a variety of sources in order to:SSP.03

    1. 1

      Establish accuracy and validity by comparing sources to each otherSSP.03.1

    2. 2

      Recognize disparities among multiple accountsSSP.03.2

    3. 3

      Frame appropriate questions for further investigationSSP.03.3

  • 4

    Construct and communicate arguments by citing supporting evidence to:SSP.04

    1. 1

      Demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideasSSP.04.1

    2. 2

      Compare and contrast viewpointsSSP.04.2

    3. 3

      Illustrate cause and effectSSP.04.3

    4. 4

      Predict likely outcomesSSP.04.4

    5. 5

      Devise new outcomes or solutionsSSP.04.5

    6. 6

      Engage in appropriate civic discourseSSP.04.6

  • 5

    Develop historical awareness by:SSP.05

    1. 1

      Recognizing how and why historical accounts change over timeSSP.05.1

    2. 2

      Perceiving and presenting past events and issues as they might have been experienced by the people of the time, with historical empathy vs. present- mindednessSSP.05.2

    3. 3

      Evaluating how unique circumstances of time and place create context and contribute to action and reactionSSP.05.3

    4. 4

      Identifying patterns of continuity and change over time, making connections to the presentSSP.05.4

  • 6

    Develop geographic awareness by:SSP.06

    1. 1

      Analyzing and determining the use of diverse types of maps based on the origin, authority, structure, context, and validitySSP.06.1

    2. 2

      Using the geographic perspective to analyze relationships, patterns, and diffusion across space at multiple scalesSSP.06.2

    3. 3

      Analyzing locations, conditions, and connections of places and using maps to investigate spatial associations among phenomenaSSP.06.3

    4. 4

      Examining how geographers use regions and how perceptions of regions are fluid across time and spaceSSP.06.4

    5. 5

      Analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environmentSSP.06.5

Geographic Skills and Tools: Students will learn foundational geographic concepts, including how to use maps, globes, and geospatial technologies, and utilize their geographic content knowledge within the study of world regions and processes.

  • 1

    Explain geography as a field of inquiry, differentiate between physical and human geography, describe the importance of the spatial perspective, and use spatial thinking skills to analyze global issues.WG.01

  • 2

    Explain how geographers synthesize geographic information from a variety of sources to analyze both human and physical processes in the world's regions, countries, and cities.WG.02

  • 3

    Define and explain the use of major geographic concepts (e.g., location, pattern, place, region, scale, site, and situation).WG.03

  • 4

    Define the concept of region, identify different types (e.g., formal, functional, perceptual), and give examples.WG.04

  • 5

    Read and interpret maps and globes using cardinal directions, latitude and longitude, legends, map scale, and title.WG.05

  • 6

    Identify, use, and evaluate the usefulness of different types of map projections (e.g., Mercator, Robinson, Goode's Homolosine, and Peterson).WG.06

  • 7

    Compare the use of physical, political, and thematic maps (e.g., choropleth, dot density, proportional symbol, isoline, cartogram).WG.07

  • 8

    Analyze patterns and processes at different scales(e.g., local, national, regional, global). WG.08

  • 9

    Describe the purposes and uses of geospatial technologies (i.e., GIS, GPS, remote sensing), and apply them in relevant contexts.WG.09

  • 10

    Explain how geographers use geographic knowledge, skills, and perspectives to analyze problems and make decisions.WG.10

  • 11

    Explain how current events are related to the physical and human characteristics of place and regions.WG.11

Physical Process, Natural Resources, and the Environment: Students will examine the concepts and elements of physical geography, how physical processes have shaped the Earth’s surface, and how the presence of natural resources (or lack thereof) influences the distribution of human populations and activities.

  • 12

    Describe ways in which different types of physical and natural processes create and shape the surface of the Earth.WG.12

  • 13

    Describe how unique weather patterns impact geography and population distribution of a region (e.g., drought, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes).WG.13

  • 14

    Analyze how people interact with and modify the environment to satisfy basic needs and solve challenges. (e.g., access to fresh water, energy resources, irrigation, transportation, types of housing, and infrastructure).WG.14

  • 15

    Explain how humans depend on and impact the Earth's resources.WG.15

  • 16

    Analyze the distribution of natural resources, how they have impacted the economies of various world regions, and their connections to global trade.WG.16

Population and Migration: Students will examine factors that affect the distribution, growth, and movement of human populations around the world and population and migration patterns across major world regions.

  • 17

    Compare and contrast the distribution, growth rates, and characteristics of human populations at different scales in terms of settlement patterns and access to natural and economic resources.WG.17

  • 18

    Analyze the characteristics (e.g., age, gender, life expectancy, natural increase rate) of populations at different scales (e.g., local, national, global), and how they are demonstrated in census data and population pyramids.WG.18

  • 19

    Define and give examples of economic, social, political, and environmental push and pull factors.WG.19

  • 20

    Define and give examples of voluntary, forced, interregional, and intraregional migration patterns.WG.20

  • 21

    Analyze past and present trends in human migration and the role of intervening obstacles and opportunities (e.g., economic, social, political, and environmental).WG.21

  • 22

    Describe the impact and challenges of migration on both the sending and receiving countries.WG.22

Regional Geography: Students will study culture from a geographic perspective by identifying the predominant culture traits that shape the cultural landscape in each major world region. Students will then use this knowledge to make comparisons between regions and analyze changing cultural patterns.

  • 23

    Define the cultural landscape, such as culture hearth, culture traits, and material and nonmaterial culture.WG.23

  • 24

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions of North, Central, and South America. WG.24

  • 25

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions of Europe.WG.25

  • 26

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.WG.26

  • 27

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions of North Africa and Southwest Asia.WG.27

  • 28

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions of East, South, and Southeast Asia.WG.28

  • 29

    Describe major cultural characteristics, physical geography, and economic practices in the regions in the South Pacific and Oceania.WG.29

  • 30

    Analyze how cultural characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, gender roles, identity, language, religion) link and/or divide regions or societies.WG.30

Political Geography: Students will analyze the political divisions of the Earth’s surface as well as differentiate between the types of political divisions and how those divisions create opportunities for conflict and cooperation among people.

  • 31

    Define and differentiate between nation, state, and nation-state.WG.31

  • 32

    Explain the differences between different types of governments (e.g., unitary and federal), and their relationships to subnational units. WG.32

  • 33

    Describe different types of political boundaries (i.e., relic, superimposed, subsequent, antecedent, geometric, and consequent boundaries).WG.33

  • 34

    Explain the purpose and impact of political border changes as a result of decolonization, devolution, and the breakup of states (e.g., the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, Israel, South Asia, Africa). WG.34

  • 35

    Define, give examples, and evaluate supranational organizations and their roles (e.g., the United Nations, European Union, NATO).WG.35

Economic Development and Interdependence: Students will examine global patterns of economic development, the impact of physical geographic features on global patterns, and patterns of economic interdependence between countries and regions.

  • 36

    Differentiate between developed and developing countries, and evaluate how economic and social indicators are used to determine a country’s level of development.WG.36

  • 37

    Define comparative advantage, and evaluate how a country leverages its access to land, labor, and capital to expand trade.WG.37

  • 38

    Identify physical, economic, cultural, and political factors that influence the locations and patterns of economic activities, trade, and economic development. WG.38

  • 39

    Explain the difference between the formal and informal economy at different scales.WG.39

  • 40

    Define globalization and its major benefits and drawbacks. WG.40

  • 41

    Locate, describe, and evaluate the formation of trade blocs throughout the world (e.g., EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, CARICOM). WG.41

Urbanization: Students will analyze trends and patterns of urban growth around the world, explore reasons for urban growth in certain locations, and evaluate the challenges that result from urban growth and decline.

  • 42

    Describe reasons for increasing urbanization around the world and the economic, social, and political implications.WG.42

  • 43

    Define and identify world megacities, and explain reasons for their location and rapid growth.WG.43

  • 44

    Identify and explain the concepts of Central Place Theory and urban hierarchy.WG.44

  • 45

    Describe urban infrastructure and how it relates to local economics, politics, and the environment.WG.45

  • 46

    Describe the challenges of urban areas (e.g., access to public services, affordability of housing, discrimination, gentrification, overpopulation, pollution, sprawl, transportation, zones of abandonment, and food deserts).WG.46

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Tennessee Social Studies Standards

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Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.