Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 7 Geography
This course explores the dynamic relationship between people and their environment through the lens of physical and human geography. Students analyze spatial patterns, resource management, and the impact of human activity on global ecosystems to develop a geographic perspective on contemporary world issues.

01The Geographer's Toolkit
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of spatial analysis and the technologies used to map the world.
Students will learn the five themes of geography and apply them to local examples, understanding how geographers ask questions.
Students will practice using latitude and longitude to locate places on a map and understand the concept of a global grid.
Students explore different map projections and learn to interpret various types of thematic maps, focusing on distortion and scale.
Students will analyze various thematic maps (e.g., population density, climate, economic activity) to identify patterns and draw conclusions.
Students will learn to read and interpret topographic maps, identifying elevation, contour lines, and various landforms.
An examination of how GPS and GIS are used to solve real-world problems, with a focus on data collection and analysis.
Students will explore how remote sensing technologies gather information about the Earth's surface and atmosphere without physical contact.
Investigating how personal experience and culture shape our internal geographic understanding and spatial biases.
Students will learn basic fieldwork techniques, including observation, sketching, and simple data collection methods to understand local geography.
Introduction to basic data analysis techniques, including creating simple graphs and charts from geographic data to identify trends.

02Physical Patterns and Processes
An exploration of the natural forces that shape the Earth's surface and create diverse landforms.
Students will investigate the layers of the Earth and the theory of plate tectonics, understanding how the Earth's crust moves.
Studying the movement of tectonic plates and the resulting landforms like mountains and volcanoes.
Students will examine the causes and effects of earthquakes and tsunamis, focusing on their geographic distribution and human impact.
Analyzing how physical and chemical weathering processes break down rocks and contribute to soil formation.
Analyzing how water, wind, and ice gradually reshape the landscape over time, creating distinctive landforms.
Students will investigate how glaciers form, move, and sculpt the Earth's surface, creating unique landforms like fjords and moraines.
Students will explore the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth, and the importance of freshwater.
An introduction to the layers of the atmosphere, major weather phenomena, and how they influence daily life.
Examining the factors that influence regional climates and the distribution of biomes across the globe.
Students will investigate the role of ocean currents in distributing heat around the globe and influencing regional climates.

03Human Population and Migration
Investigating where people live, why they move, and the consequences of population growth.
Analyzing the factors that lead to high population density in specific global regions and the implications of uneven distribution.
Students will examine factors influencing population growth rates, including birth rates, death rates, and demographic transition.
Students will learn to interpret population pyramids to understand age and gender distribution, and predict future demographic trends.
Exploring the economic, political, social, and environmental reasons behind human migration, both voluntary and forced.
Students will differentiate between various types of migration (e.g., internal, international, rural-urban) and their social, economic, and cultural impacts.
Examining the causes and geographic patterns of forced migration, focusing on the experiences of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Examining the rapid growth of cities and the development of megacities around the world, including their challenges and opportunities.
Students will investigate issues associated with rapid urbanization, such as housing, infrastructure, pollution, and social inequality.
Exploring the interdependent relationship between rural and urban areas, including resource flows, labor migration, and cultural exchange.
Investigating how ideas, innovations, and cultural practices spread across geographic space through various forms of interaction.

04Natural Resources and Economy
Exploring how the distribution of natural resources drives global trade and economic development.
Distinguishing between renewable and non-renewable resources and their global availability, use, and depletion.
Students will investigate the geographic patterns of resource extraction and the environmental consequences of mining, drilling, and logging.
Exploring the geography of food production, distribution, and consumption, including different agricultural practices and challenges to food security.
Students will learn about the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary economic sectors and their geographic distribution and evolution.
Analyzing how goods move across the world and the interdependence of nations through complex supply chains.
Students will explore the concept of fair trade and its role in promoting ethical production and consumption practices globally.
Students will be introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their geographic relevance to global challenges.
Evaluating strategies to meet human needs while protecting the environment for the future, considering economic, social, and environmental pillars.
Exploring the geographic distribution of energy resources (fossil fuels, renewables) and their impact on international relations and conflicts.
Students will examine the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism on different geographic regions.

05Living in a Changing Environment
Focusing on the impact of human activity on the Earth and our adaptation to environmental shifts.
Students will investigate the scientific evidence for climate change and the human activities contributing to it.
Investigating the geographic consequences of rising global temperatures, including sea-level rise, extreme weather, and ecosystem shifts.
Students will explore strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Examining the causes and consequences of the loss of forests and the resulting impact on global species diversity and ecosystem services.
Students will investigate efforts to conserve biodiversity through the establishment of national parks, wildlife reserves, and other protected areas.
Analyzing the challenges of managing freshwater resources in a thirsty world, including causes of scarcity and its social impacts.
Students will explore various strategies and technologies for water conservation, efficient use, and sustainable management.
Investigating the sources, geographic distribution, and environmental and health impacts of different types of pollution.
Students will explore different approaches to waste management, including recycling, composting, and the concept of a circular economy.
Examining how environmental burdens and benefits are often unequally distributed based on socioeconomic status and race.

06Global Regions and Cultures
A comparative study of different world regions to understand cultural diversity and regional identity.
Exploring how geographers divide the world into formal, functional, and perceptual regions, and the criteria used for classification.
Analyzing how human beliefs, practices, and values are visibly expressed in the physical environment and built spaces.
Students will explore the elements of culture (language, religion, customs, traditions) and how they contribute to regional identity.
An in-depth look at the Arctic region to understand its unique physical geography, indigenous cultures, and environmental challenges.
An in-depth look at the Mediterranean region, focusing on its climate, agriculture, historical significance, and cultural exchange.
An in-depth look at Southeast Asia, examining its diverse physical geography, rapid economic development, and cultural transformations.
Students will analyze how geographic factors (e.g., resources, borders, terrain) contribute to and influence global conflicts.
Exploring how global issues like pandemics, economic crises, and environmental problems transcend national borders and require international cooperation.
Students will synthesize their geographic knowledge to analyze current trends and make informed predictions about future global challenges and opportunities.