04-05

05-06

06-07

07-08

08-09

BENCHMARK

GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

G-1A-M1

identifying and describing the characteristics, functions, and applications of various types of maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technology

G-1A-M2

interpreting and developing maps, globes, graphs, charts, model, and databases to analyze spatial distributions and patterns

1.  Use time zones in the United States or the International Date Line to interpret a map or representation of a globe and calculate current times in different places.

2.  Locate major landforms and geographic features, places, and bodies of water/waterways on a map of Louisiana.

3.  Construct a map based on given narrative information.

4.  Construct a chart or diagram to display geographical information in an organized way.

G-1A-M3

organizing and displaying information about the location of geographic features and places by using mental mapping skills

G-1B-M1

explaining and analyzing both the physical and human phenomena associated with specific places, including precipitation and settlement patterns

5.  Describe and analyze the distinguishing physical and/or human characteristics of Louisiana regions.

G-1B-M2

identifying and describing significant physical features that have influenced historical events

6.  Describe ways in which location and physical features have influenced historical events in Louisiana and the development of the state (e.g., Mississippi River/swamp in the Battle of New Orleans)

G-1B-M3

identifying criteria used to define regions and explaining how and why regions change

7.  Explain how or why specific regions are changing as a result of physical phenomena (e.g., changes in the coastal wetlands).

8.  Identify and describe factors that cause a Louisiana region to change (e.g., natural occurrences, disasters, migration)

G-1B-M4

describing and explaining how personal interests, culture, and technology affect people’s perceptions and uses of places and regions

9.  Explain ways in which goals, cultures, interests, inventions, and technological advances have affected people’s perceptions and uses of places or regions in the United States.

G-1C-M1

predicting and explaining how physical features help to shape patterns and arrangements in the physical environment

G-1C–M2

identifying the characteristics and patterns of human settlement in different regions of the world and analyzing the impact of urbanization

10.  Analyze the population characteristics and other demographic information about the United States and Louisiana, including rates of increase/decrease for demographic variables. 

G-1C-M3

describing the characteristics and patterns of human settlement in different regions of the world and analyzing the impact of urbanization

Explain patterns of rural/urban migration and the positive and negative consequences of urban development in the United States.

11.  Explain why humans settled and formed societies in specific regions or why immigrant groups (e.g., Acadians) settled in specific areas of Louisiana.

G-1C-M4

analyzing types, patterns, and effects of human migration over time

G-1C-M5

tracing local and worldwide patterns of cultural diffusion and analyzing their causes and effects

12.  Describe the causes and effects of cultural diffusion and effects of cultural diversity in Louisiana.

G-1C-M6

comparing historical and contemporary patterns of economic interdependence

13.  Describe factors that contribute to economic interdependence at the local, national, and global level, as related to Louisiana history.

G-1C-M7

explaining how cooperation and conflict among people contribute to the political divisions on Earth’s surface

G-1D-M1

analyzing and evaluating the effects of human actions upon the physical environment

14.  Analyze, evaluate, and predict consequences of environmental modifications on Louisiana landforms, natural resources, and plant or animal life.

G-1D-M2

explaining and giving examples of how characteristics of different physical environments affect human activities

15.  Analyze the benefits or challenges of the  Louisiana physical environments on its inhabitants  (e.g., flooding, soil, climate conducive to growing certain plants).

G-1D-M3

analyzing the worldwide distribution and utilization of natural resources

16.  Analyze the distribution and uses of Louisiana’s natural resources.

G-1D-M4

identifying problems that relate to contemporary geographic issues and researching possible solutions.

 17.  Identify a contemporary Louisiana geographic issue,  and research possible solutions.

C-1A-M1

explaining major ideas about why governments are necessary and evaluating competing positions on the purposes government should serve

C-1A-M2

describing the essential characteristics of various systems of government

C-1A-M3

explaining how the powers of government are distributed, shared, and limited by the United States and Louisiana constitutions

18.  Identify the powers of state government as defined in the Louisiana Constitution and compare/contrast those powers to the powers of the federal government.

C-1A-M4

explaining the purposes of sate constitutions and describing the relationship of state constitutions to the federal constitution

19.  Explain  the purposes of state constitutions and describe the relationship of the Louisiana Constitution to the U.S. Constitution.

C-1A-M5

describing the organization and major responsibilities of local, state, and national government

20.  Identify the structure and powers of the three branches of the state government, the limits of those powers, and key positions within each branch.

21.  Describe the various forms of local government in Louisiana.

C-1A-M6

identifying government leaders and representatives at the local, state, and national levels and explaining their powers and the limits on their powers

22.  Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at the local and state levels in Louisiana.

23.  Identify qualifications and terms of office for key leaders/representatives at the state and local levels.

24.  Identify current government leaders at the state, local, and national levels in the United States. 

C-1A-M7

explaining the importance of law in the American constitutional system and applying criteria to evaluate rules and laws

25.  Explain how a bill becomes law at the state level.

26.  List and apply criteria for evaluating rules and laws. 

C-1A-M8

explaining how public policy is formed, debated, and carried out at local, state, and national levels

27.  Describe ways by which public policies are formed, including the role of lobbyists, special interest groups, and constituents.

C-1A-M9

explaining the necessity of taxes and describing the purposes for which tax revenues are used

28.  Explain why taxes are needed and purposes for which tax monies/revenues are used.

C-1A-M10

identifying and evaluating different types of taxes

29.  Identify types of taxes collected by the local, state, and federal government.

30.  Evaluate a type of tax in a historical context (e.g., severance tax).

C-1B-M1

explaining the essential ideas and historical origins of American constitutional government

C-1B-M2

identifying and describing the historical experiences and the geographic, social and economic factors that have helped to shape American political culture

C-1B-M3

explaining the meaning and importance of basic principles of American constitutional democracy as reflected in core documents

31.  Explain how the Louisiana Constitution reflects the principles of government set forth in the U.S. Constitution (e.g., checks and balance, separation of powers).

C-1B-M4

analyzing the ways in which political and social conflict can be peacefully resolved

32.  Describe various peaceful ways of resolving  political or social conflicts including majority vote vs. consensus

C-1B-M5

analyzing democratic processes used to institute change

33.  Analyze how the democratic process has been used to institute change in Louisiana.

C-1B-M6

analyzing the importance of political parties, campaigns, and elections in the American political system

34.  Explain how the U.S. Census is used in the political process and how it affects Louisiana representation in Congress

35.  Describe the role of the Electoral College and how Louisiana participates in that system.

36.  Explain how political parties, campaigns, and elections provide opportunities for citizens to participate in government

C-1C-M1

describing how the world is organized politically and explaining the means by which nation-states interact

37.  Explain the role of nation-states in various alliances and international organizations (e.g., NATO, the United Nations, OPEC) and identify effects of their decisions upon Louisiana.

C-1C-M2

explaining the formation, implementation, and impact of United States foreign policy

38.  Explain how U.S. foreign policy has affected Louisiana (e.g., tariffs, NAFTA).

C-1C-M3

identifying types of foreign policy issues, using current and historical examples

C-1D-M1

explaining the meaning of citizenship and the requirements of citizenship and naturalization in the United State

C-1D-M2

identifying the rights and responsibilities of citizens and explaining their importance to the individual and to society

39.  Identify individual rights guaranteed in the Louisiana Constitution.

C-1D-M3

discussing issues involving the rights and responsibilities of individuals in American society

C-1D-M4

describing the many ways by which citizens can organize, monitor, and help to shape politics and government at local, state, and national levels

40.  Describe ways by which citizens can organize, monitor, or influence government and politics at the local, state, and national levels. 

C-1D-M5

communicating the importance of knowledge to competent and responsible political participation and leadership

41.  Explain the importance of being an informed citizen on public issues, recognizing propaganda and knowing the voting issues.

E-1A-M1

describing how the scarcity of resources necessitates decision making at both personal and societal levels

42.  Analyze situations involving scarcity (limited resources) at the individual, group, and societal level to determine the need for choices or what is gained/lost by a decision.