Geography & Ethnic Studies 
9th grade

World Geography and Ethnic Studies is a year-long, ten-unit course exploring the connections between people, culture, and place around the world. Aligned with California standards for both World Geography and Ethnic Studies, the course uses political cartoons, maps, charts, graphs, and other data visualizations to help students analyze how geography, culture, and history shape human experience at local, national, and global levels. Students engage in reading, writing, and research that build critical thinking and cultural awareness. They examine global issues such as migration, environmental change, human rights, and cultural resilience, analyzing multiple perspectives through articles, case studies, and media while considering questions of equity and civic engagement. By the end of the course, students develop a strong geographic perspective and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human cultures.

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Alongside California’s commitment to culturally responsive learning, the course integrates an ethnic studies lens. Students explore how race, ethnicity, indigeneity, migration, and identity influence human geography, community development, and global systems of power. They reflect on their own identities and connections to place, study the experiences of historically marginalized communities, and examine how geography intersects with equity and justice. Throughout the year, students strengthen skills in critical thinking, collaboration, civic engagement, and cultural competence.

UNIT 1 - PHYSICAL & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This unit teaches geographic thinking, maps, the earth, landforms, climate, weather, introduction to world cultures, religions, and belief systems. We also learn the connection between geography, economics and politics.

• 5 Themes of Geography Google Slides Presentation

  • Using the 5 Themes of Geography, students will create a Google Slides presentation about a landmark in the world. They will present their project to the class. 

• Autobiographical Map

  • Using knowledge gained from our first unit, students will create a large map of their life using at least 10 landforms, geographic features, map legend, compass rose, scale.

 
UNIT 2 - NORTH AMERICA
Students explore geography as it relates to the US, Canada, and Mexico. Ethnic Studies lessons will cover topics of the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities.

• Compare and Contrast US with Canada - Group Project

  • Students will work in groups to compare and contrast the geography, politics, and culture of the U.S. and Canada. They will begin with a Venn diagram outlining similarities and differences, write a brief analysis of their findings, and conclude with a short class presentation.

 
UNIT 3 - CENTRAL AMERICA, THE CARIBBEAN & SOUTH AMERICAThis unit explores the physical landscapes, climates, and cultural regions of Latin America, highlighting how geography has shaped settlement, trade, and cultural exchange. In studying Central America and the Caribbean, students examine how colonization, migration, and resistance have influenced regional identity. Ethnic Studies lessons address the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of African American, Chicano/Latino, and Native American communities.​

• News Broadcast - Media Presentation

  • This unit explores Latin America’s physical landscapes, climates, and cultural regions, emphasizing how geography has shaped settlement, trade, and cultural exchange. In studying Central America and the Caribbean, students examine how colonization, migration, and resistance have influenced regional identities. Ethnic Studies lessons highlight the histories, cultures, struggles, and contributions of African American, Chicano/Latino, and Native American communities.

 
UNIT 4 - WESTERN EUROPE

This unit examines Europe’s geography, major landforms, climates, and patterns of population and urbanization. Students analyze the historical development of European nations, including their roles in exploration, colonization, industrialization, and global conflict.

• 5-Paragraph Compare & Contrast Essay on Western Politics

  • This assignment links Unit 2 (North America) and Unit 4 (Western Europe). Students write a compare-and-contrast paper analyzing the political system of the United States and one chosen European country.

 
UNIT 5 - RUSSIA AND THE EURASIAN REPUBLICST

Unit 5 covers the region’s geography, resources, population, and historical developments—including empires, the Soviet era, and modern cultural and political transformations. Students examine ethnic groups such as Russians, Ukrainians, Armenians, Georgians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, and other Indigenous and minority communities.

• Media Presentation

  • For the end-of-unit project, students create a presentation on a chosen geographic area using any media (video, slides, poster, etc.). They provide a narrative or transcript as needed and include at least three facts with images on physical and political features, climate, economy, population, and culture. Students also prepare a dish from the region to share in class.

 
UNIT 6 - SOUTHWEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA & SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Students analyze the experiences of Arabs, Persians, Kurds, Berbers, Turks, Yoruba, Zulu, Igbo, Maasai, and other communities, considering how identity, migration, colonization, and political power have shaped the region.​

• Reflection Essay 

  • Students demonstrate their knowledge of unit content with this end-of-unit activity by writing a 5-paragraph essay in response to a recurring theme within the unit. Students select one theme to examine.

 
UNIT 7 - SOUTH ASIA

Students study the historical development, cultures, religions, and political systems of South Asia (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) and the region’s role in global trade and cultural exchange. Ethnic Studies focus on the histories and contributions of diverse groups, including Indo-Aryans, Dravidians, Tamils, Sinhalese, Bhutanese, Pashtuns, and other Indigenous and minority communities.

• South Asia Presentation

  • Each student researches a state or territory in India or a South Asian country, providing at least three facts and images on its physical and political features, climate, economy, population, and culture. The class then combines the individual research into a single presentation.

 
UNIT 8 - EAST ASIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA

Students study the history, political systems, economies, and cultures of China, Japan, Mongolia, and Korea. Ethnic Studies focus on the region’s diverse communities, including Han Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols, Koreans, Japanese, Filipinos, and other minority groups.

• Research Project & Brochure

  • Students research a location in East or Southeast Asia and create a travel brochure using the five themes of geography. They also prepare a travel packet with details such as flights, hotels, transportation, currency exchange, and cultural highlights.

 
UNIT 9 - AUSTRALIA, THE PACIFIC REALM & ANTARCTICA
For oIn the final unit, students study Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Antarctica, exploring their geography, climates, ecosystems, and populations. Ethnic Studies focus on Indigenous groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Maori, and other Pacific Islanders, examining their histories, cultures, contributions, and the effects of colonization and migration.​

• Internet Research Project 

  • Research focuses on Australia and the broader Oceania region, covering physical and human geography, history as a prison colony, the Aboriginal civil rights movement, and the Great Barrier Reef. Students use resources such as National Geographic, the National Museum of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Authority, and Sydney Living Museums.

 
UNIT 10 - MODEL UN
SStudents research global challenges—such as conflict, climate change, migration, inequality, or resource scarcity—and their impact on communities, especially marginalized groups. They collaborate to propose solutions, evaluate policies from geographic and cultural perspectives, and present recommendations in a Model UN simulation.

• Model UN

  • Students select a country from one of the regions that we have studied. They prepare statements and answers from the perspective of their country for questions on: environment, nuclear weapons, Poverty, Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, etc. The school year ends with a day of presentations, discussions, and debate. 

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HONORS UNIT - OPTIONAL ADD-ON
In this optional Honors unit, students are required to complete additional assignments to expand their knowledge and understanding of geography and world cultures, ethnicities, and regional dynamics.

• Scale Map

• Current Event Analysis

• Comparative Analysis of World Religions