1. 6th Grade Social Studies
Latin America Geography
Unit Resources
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2. Unit Information
(Items in Blue are Hyperlinked)
Last Update:
t Map: Latin America Content Map (all domains)
Weight: 31% (Geography in all units)
omain: Geography
andards:
S6G1 The student will locate selected features of Latin America and the Caribbean.
 a. Locate on a world and regional political- physical map: Amazon River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of
Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama
Desert.
 b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia,
Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela.
S6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America.
 a. Explain the major concerns of Latin America regarding the issues of air pollution in Mexico City,
Mexico, the destruction of the rain forest in Brazil, and oil-related pollution in Venezuela.
S6G3 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population
stribution on Latin America and the Caribbean.
 a. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico and Venezuela affect where
people live and how they trade.
 b. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Brazil and Cuba affect where
people live and how they trade.
r Notes: Latin America Geography Teacher Notes(this document is simply the pages of the Teacher Notes for Latin
at apply to Geography)
tary Standards - There are no elementary standards that correlate to this unit.
t Descriptors: Latin America Geography Content Descriptors(this document contains only the content
s for geography; however, it contains geography descriptors for all units)
ngth: Estimated @ 12 days

3. ameworks:
atin America Today
nvironmental & Economic Forces in Latin America
t from State Frameworks/Teacher Notes: Latin America's Geography Content
ces by Essential Question (click on an essential question):
ssential Question 1: Where are the major physical features and nations of Latin America located? (G1a-b)
ssential Question 2: How do location, climate, and natural resources affect people in Latin America?
Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba) (SS6G3a-b)
ssential Question 3: How have environmental issues affected Latin America? (SS6G2a)

4. Where are the major physical features and nations of Latin America located? (G1a-b)
Back To Top
ng Strategies:
g Strategies:
udents will be given an outline map of Latin America. Students will identify the countries as listed in the
andards and elements. Students will design a key to accompany their map. To be included in the key
ymbols and colors): the capital cities of Mexico, Brazil, and Venezuela (suggested in the "Latin America Today"
te framework)
tin America Geography ppt(used for EQ 1 and 2)
tin America Blank Map
tin America Political/Physical Numbered Map
tin America Political/Physical Map(provided by Kelli Brooke)
mericas Blank Political Map
e Continent of South America: The Countries Song
tin America Map Quiz(provided by Kelli Brooke)
ntral America Practice(provided by Kelli Brooke)
udents will be given an outline map of Latin America. Students will draw/identify the physical features as
ted in the standards and elements. Students will design a key to accompany their map. (suggested in the
atin America Today" state framework)
tin America Physical Features Reading(provided by Kelli Brooke)
tin American Physical Features Fill-in-the-blank(provided by Kelli Brooke)
tin America Cuba & Brazil Comparison(provided by Kelli Brooke)
rizing Strategies:
nt a classroom set of blank political/physical Latin America maps. Place each map in a clear sheet
otector. At the end of the lesson, give each student a map in a sheet protector with a vis-a-vis or dry
ase marker. Call out specific nations or physical features listed in the standard and have each student
entify the country or feature on their own map and then hold the map up for the teacher to check.
udents can use paper towels, cloths, or even socks to erase their answer for the next question.
ance Tasks:
How do location, climate, and natural resources affect people in Latin
a?(Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba) (SS6G3a-b) Back To Top
ion Lesson Plan
ng Strategies:
g Strategies:
udents will be given an outline map of Latin America. Students will draw/identify the climatic regions and
sources found in Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela. Students will design a key to accompany their

5. ap. (suggested in the "Latin America Today" state framework)
ter completing the maps suggested for essential questions 1-3, students will choose either Mexico and
nezuela or Brazil and Cuba to analyze (location, climate, natural resources, and population density).
udents will write a 3 paragraph essay for each country. (Modification: students may write a list of their
alysis instead of a paragraph) (suggested in the "Latin America Today" state framework)
ing thematic maps (physical, population density, resources, etc.) have students create cause and effect
ains showing the links between physical geography, resources, and densely populated areas in the
untries of Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela. For example: Plateau + River = Mexico City. (Suggested in state
meworks)
azil Maps
uba Maps
exico Maps
nezuela Maps
pulation Density Worksheet(provided by Kelli Brooke)
ither Or" writing strategy: In which country would you rather live Mexico or Venezuela? (Use location,
mate, and natural resources' information to explain why); In which country would you rather live Brazil
Cuba? (Use location, climate, and natural resources' information to explain why)
rizing Strategies:
ance Tasks:
How have environmental issues affected Latin
a?(SS6G2a)
Top
ng Strategies:
g Strategies:
mazon Rainforest ppt
mazon Rainforest Graphic Organizer (goes with ppt)
r Pollution in Mexico City Resources
rizing Strategies:
ance Tasks:
tin America Human Environment Interaction Performance Task(extracted from "Environmental and Economics
rces in Latin America" state framework)
rmance Task(s)

6. Web Resources
k here to refer to General Teaching and Social Studies Web Resources that includes additional links.
m: Geography CIA World Factbook Regional Maps
e Click and Learn
World Free World Maps
ehart, & Winston Houghton Mifflin - Education Place
a - Google Maps World Gazetteer Maps of World
ster Quiz Hub
Geography Knowledge That Quiz
y of Texas Libraries Map Collection University of Texas Libraries Historical Map Collection
as - South America, Central America,
n
Information
World Atlas, CIA World Factbook Brazil - World Atlas, CIA World Factbook
World Factbook City Population
- World Atlas, CIA World Factbook Countries of the World
Studies Cuba - World Atlas, CIA World Factbook
Federations Info Please
World Atlas, CIA World Factbook State Department's Background Notes
mental Issues
vironmental Information Systems Case Global Marine Oil Pollution Information Gateway
ations Environment Program World Wildlife Fund
k Resources
Date last edited:
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