Pacific Island Studies: Grade 7

Anchor and Inquiry Standards

Content Standards

Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries

Gathering and Evaluating Sources

Creating Claims

Communicating Conclusions

Taking Informed Action

Use geographic representations to explain the relationships between the origins, settlement, and languages of Pacific people

Explain how early Pacific people adapted to and modified environments on low and high islands

Explain how power and authority are represented in cultural expressions of the early Pacific people

Describe early encounters between Pacific Islanders and foreigners

Explain how political and economic needs of foreigners changed Pacific Island societies

Evaluate how Pacific Islander participation in global economies changed during the colonial era through World War II

Analyze the interests and obligations of colonial powers in Pacific Island nations and entities since World War II

Explain the social, environmental, and economic impacts of nuclear testing and militarization on Pacific Islander peoples and island environments

Analyze the reasons for contemporary migration of Pacific Islander populations

Propose a research-based policy solution to a problem facing a Pacific Island nation

Create compelling questions representing key ideas of the disciplines

Explain how a question reflects an enduring issue in the field

Create supporting questions that address key ideas identified in compelling questions

Explain the relationship between compelling and supporting questions

Evaluate the credibility of a source by examining its origin, author, context, and content

Gather relevant information from credible sources representing a wide range of views

Develop claims and counterclaims while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both

Identify specific evidence that supports the claims and counterclaims

Construct arguments and explanations using claims and evidence from multiple sources while acknowledging the strengths and limitations of the arguments

Present arguments and explanations using a variety of print and oral technologies (e.g., posters, essays, letters, debates, speeches, reports, maps) and digital technologies (e.g., Internet, social media, digital documentary)

Identify local, regional and/or global problems or issues by using interdisciplinary lenses

Examine the origins of a problem or issue and explain the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address it

Apply a range of deliberative strategies and procedures to make decisions and propose feasible solutions to address local, regional, and/or global concerns

Create an action plan to address a solution to a problem or issue and demonstrate evidence of implementation