04-05

05-06

06-07

07-08

08-09

BENCHMARK

GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

G-1A-E1

 identifying and describing the characteristics and uses of geographic representations, such as various types of maps, globes, graphs, diagrams, photographs, and satellite-produced images

1.  Interpret different kinds of maps using a map key/legend, compass rose, cardinal and intermediate directions, and distance scale.

2.  Use a variety of images or other spatial graphics (e.g., aerial photographs, satellite images) to locate major physical and human characteristics

G-1A-E2

locating and interpreting geographic features and places on maps and globes

3.  Locate and label places on a map or globe: the seven continents, the United States and its major land forms, major bodies of water and waterways, referring to the poles, the equator, latitude, longitude and meridians

4.  Identify all U.S. states by shapes and position on map

G-1A-E3

constructing maps, graphs, charts, and diagrams to describe geographical information and to solve problems

5.  Draw, complete, and add features to a map (including such map elements as a title, compass rose, legend, and scale) based on given information.

G-1B-E1

 describing and comparing the physical characteristics of places, including land forms, bodies of water, soils, vegetation, and climate

6.  Describe and compare the distinguishing characteristics of various land forms, bodies of water, climates, and forms of vegetation in the United States.

7.  Identify the best place for human settlement based on a map showing physical characteristics of an area.

G-1B-E2

identifying and describing the human characteristics of places, including population distributions and culture

G-1B-E3

describing how the physical and human characteristics of places change over time

8.  Explain physical and human developments in a region of the United States since it was first settled based on given information.

G-1B-E4

defining and differentiating regions by using physical characteristics, such as climate and land forms, and by using human characteristics, such as economic activity and language

9.  Identify , define and compare regions  of the United States using physical and human characteristics (e.g., land forms and use, cultural diversity)

G-1C-E1 describing how physical processes help to shape features and patterns on Earth’s surface

10.  Identify physical processes that change Earth’s surface and create physical features suddenly over time (e.g., what physical process created the Grand Canyon, the Great Lakes, the Hawaiian Islands)

G-1C-E2

describing and comparing the types of settlement and patterns of land use in local communities, the United States, and world regions

11.  Identify geographical/physical reasons for regional variations that influence patterns of settlement and land use in the United States, past and present.

G-1C-E3

describing and explaining the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human population

12.  Describe characteristics of the human population in a given area (e.g., cultural diversity, population size or growth)

(61.)  Identify the causes and effects of the major historical (voluntary and involuntary) migrations to and within America

G-1C-E4

identifying and comparing the cultural characteristics of different regions and people

13.  Explain and compare the cultural identities of various U.S. regions and how a region is influenced by past events and the heritage of its people

G-1C-E5

locating and explaining the spatial distribution of economic activities

14.  Locate economic activities that use natural resources in the local region, state, and nation and describe the importance of the activities in these areas.

G-1C-E6

identifying and describing types of territorial units, such as parishes or counties, states and countries

15.  Differentiate between countries, states, parishes, and cities

G-1D-E1

identifying and explaining ways in which people depend upon and modify the physical environment

16.  Identify ways in which  people in the United States depend upon and modify the physical environment.

G-1D-E2

describing how humans adapt to variations in the physical environment

G-1D-E3

describing the locations, causes, and effects of natural disasters on the environment and society

17.  Identify natural disasters, their causes, areas pron to them, and how those disasters affect people and the environment

G-1D-E4

describing the use, distribution, and importance of natural resources

18.  Describe the importance of specific natural resources to human survival and human endeavors.

19.  Describe the use, distribution, and importance of natural resources in different regions of the United States using geographic tools such as maps

C-1A-E1

describing government in terms of the people and groups who make, apply, and enforce rules and laws in the home, school, community, and nation

C-1A-E2

explaining the necessity and basic purposes of government

20.  Identify the necessity or basic purposes of government in such terms as establishing order, providing security, managing conflict, and providing services.

C-1A-E3

comparing limited governments to unlimited governments

21.  Distinguish between “limited government” and “unlimited government.”

22.  Explain the role of government and the rights of citizens.

C-1A-E4

identifying and describing some of the major responsibilities of local, state, and national governments

23.  Identify the three branches of the federal government and describe their major responsibilities.

C-1A-E5

identifying key members of government at the local, state, and national levels and describing their powers and the limits on their powers

24.  Identify key government positions at the national level, their respective powers, and limits on their powers.

C-1A-E6

explaining how officials in government acquire the authority to exercise political power

25.  Distinguish between elected and appointed officials and give examples of each at the local, state, and national levels.

C-1A-E7

explaining the purposes and importance of rules and laws

26.  Identify the purpose and importance of a rule or a law

C-1B-E1 identifying basic principles of American constitutional democracy and explaining how the constitutions of the U.S. and Louisiana reflect these principles

27.  Describe the significance of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and its principles of democracy, and the  Bill of Rights (e.g., basic freedoms)

28.  Explain the similarities between the Louisiana and U.S. Constitutions.

C-1C-E1

explaining that the world is divided into different nations and describing the major ways that these nations interact

29.  Explain the concept of “nation” with reference to countries, governments, and peoples.

30.  Identify ways nations interact and why interactions are important (e.g., treaties, diplomacy).

31.  Identify the United Nations and its role in international peace keeping.

C-1D-E1

explaining the meaning of citizenship and the means by which individuals become citizens of the United States

32.  Identify the means by which individuals become U.S. citizens.

C-1D-E2

describing the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society

33.  Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in making a nation a better place to live

C-1D-E3

identifying and discussing civic traits that are important to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy

34.  Discuss civic traits of “good citizenship” that are important to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy, using an excerpt from speech, address, or essay which illustrates those traits

C-1D-E4

describing the many ways that citizens can participate and contribute to their communities and to American society

(34.)  Discuss civic traits of “good citizenship” that are important to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy, using an excerpt from speech, address, or essay which illustrates those traits

C-1D-E5

discussing issues related to citizenship and public service

35.  Identify a national issue and describe how good citizenship can help solve the problem

E-1A-E1

recognizing that limited resources require people to make decisions

36.  Demonstrate that limited resources require choices and decisions.

E-1A-E2

identifying what is gained and lost when individuals or groups make decisions

E-1A-E3

demonstrating how economic wants affect decisions about using goods and services

E-1A-E4

discussing and determining the process for making economic decisions

37.  Explain the factors, including trade-offs,  involved in a choice or decision (e.g., discuss the choices and decisions involved in developing a personal budget)

E-1A-E5

explaining the relationships among producers and consumers

38.  Identify the four basic questions all producers must answer (i.e., What will be produced?  How will it be produced?  For whom will it be produced?   How much will be produced?

E-1A-E6

describing how natural resources, human resources, and capital (human-made) resources have been used and are combined in the production of goods and services

39.  Describe the combination of natural, human, and capital resources needed to produce a given good (e.g., a candy bar) or given service (e.g., recycling paper)

E-1A-E7

describing how specialization affects productivity and contributes to the need for interdependence among producers and consumers

40.  Define some effects of division of labor and specialization in a given context, such as a simple assembly line (e.g., greater labor productivity/output per hour)

E-1A-E8

determining how the development of skills and knowledge relates to career opportunity and economic well-being

41.  Describe the benefits of increasing one’s skill/knowledge and various ways to do so.

E-1A-E9

identifying different methods for the distribution of good and services, including the concept of markets

42.  Describe the basic concept of “market” (e.g., exchange of goods/services between buyers and sellers) and identify ways of transporting goods.

E-1A-E10

identifying some of the economic institutions, such as households and banks, that make up the economy

43.  Identify the roles of banks, governments, businesses, and households in the economy.

E-1A-E11

explaining and demonstrating why people participate in voluntary exchanges and how money helps in the process

44.  Identify the relationship between money, writing checks, and credit cards.

45.  Explain why people engage in voluntary exchange/barter/direct trading (e.g., because each expects to be better off after the exchange.)

E-1B-E1

describing how prices are determined by the interactions of buyers and sellers