FCPS Competency Assurance

Fayette County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction




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Competency Assurance Documents

Social Studies Competency Assurance Documents
6th Grade Social Studies Open Response Questions
Government	Culture	Economics	Geography	History

6^th Grade
Government and Civics

Many countries have forms of government different from that of the U.S. Choose one of these countries and compare its government with the government of the U.S. Use three characteristics for the comparison.

6^th Grade
Government and Civics Rubric

Score Point	Description
4	The student selects a country with a different form of government than the U.S. and correctly identifies the type of government associated with it. The student compares three characteristics between the government of the chosen country and the government of the U.S. using extensive detail. The student communicates in an organized way.
3	Student selects a country with a different form of government than the U.S. and correctly identifies the type of government associated with it. The student compares three characteristics between the government of the chosen country and the U.S. government using broad details. The student communicates in an organized way.
2	The student selects a form of government that is different from the U.S. but does not identify the country. The student compares 2 characteristics between the chosen form of government and the government of the United States using basic detail. The student does not communicate in an organized way.
1	The student selects a form of government that is different from the U.S. government. The student is unable to compare the chosen form of government with the United States government by choosing inappropriate characteristics. The student does not communicate in an organized way and includes inaccurate information.
0	Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant
Blank	No response

Examples of governments:

Monarchy, Constitutional Monarchy, Dictatorship, Communism, Theocracy
Areas to compare:
Election process, how laws are made, organization of government, rights and responsibilities of citizens

6^th Grade
Culture and Society

Choose a country, other than the United States, and describe four of its cultural characteristics. If you were visiting this country, explain how these cultural characteristics would affect your visit.

6^th Grade
Culture and Society Rubric

Score Point	Description
4	The student extensively describes 4 cultural characteristics of the chosen country and demonstrates an extensive understanding of those characteristics. The student makes an extensive explanation as to how the identifies cultural characteristics would affect his visit. The student communicates in an organized way and uses of extensive detail.
3	The student broadly describes 4 cultural characteristics of the chosen country and demonstrates a broad understanding of those characteristics using broad details. The student provides a broad explanation as to how the identified cultural characteristics would affect his visit. The student communicates in an organized way, using broad details.
2	The student describes 2 or more cultural characteristics of the chosen country and demonstrates a basic understanding of those characteristics. The student provides a basic explanation of how the identified cultural characteristics would affect his visit. The student does not communicate in an organized way but uses basic details.
1	The student describes 1 or more cultural characteristic(s) of the chosen country and demonstrates a minimal understanding of those characteristics. The student provides a minimal explanation as to how the identified cultural characteristics would affect his visit. The student does not communicate in an organized way and includes inaccurate information.
0	Response it totally incorrect or irrelevant.
Blank	No response.

6^th Grade
Economics

Several times in the last 30 years, gas prices have risen drastically and remained high for a period of time. Explain 3 reasons why you think this drastic increase in price occurs? What solution can you offer to maintain a level price for the gas?

6^th Grade
Economics Rubric

Score Point	Description
4	The student provides extensive explanations as to why these 3 reasons cause gas price increases. The student identifies an appropriate solution to drastic price fluctuations and provides extensive detail. The student communicates in an organized way.
3	The student provides broad explanations as to why the three reasons cause gas price increases. The student identifies an appropriate solution to drastic price fluctuations using broad detail. Student communicates in an organized way.
2	The student provides basic explanations for two reasons gasoline price increases. The student identifies an appropriate solution to drastic price fluctuations, but provides no detail. The student does not communicate in an organized way but uses limited detail.
1	The student lists 1 or more reasons for increased gas prices but does not provide an explanation. The student provides an inappropriate solution. The student does not communicate in an organized way and includes inaccurate information.
0	Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
Blank	No response.

Explanations for increases:

OPEC	Supply and demand	Government regulation
Taxes	Price fixing	Lack of oil production in the U.S.
War	Seasonal demand	Governments not getting along

6^th Grade
Geography

Geographic factors can influence the development of a region or a nation. Select 2 geographic factors from the list below. Discuss how these factors had either a positive or negative effect on the development of a specific nation other than the United States.

Landforms
Water and other natural resources
Climate
Location

6^th Grade
Geography Rubric

Score Point	Description
4	The student chooses 2 geographic factors and identifies them as having a positive or negative effect on a country’s development using extensive detail including examples. The student provides a connection between the geographic factors and the development of the nation using extensive detail. The student communicates in an organized way.
3	The student chooses 2 geographic factors and identifies them as having a positive or negative effect on a country’s development using broad details including examples. The student makes a broad connection between the geographic factors and the development of the nation using broad details including examples. Student communicates in an organized way.
2	The student chooses 1 geographic factor and identifies it as having a positive or negative effect on the development of the country using basic details. The student makes a basic connection between the geographic factor and the development of the nation using little or no detail. The student does not communicate in an organized way.
1	The student chooses 1 geographic factor but does not identify it as having a positive or negative effect on the development of the country. The student provides a limited connection between the geographic factor and the development of the nation using minimal details. The student does not communicate in an organized way and includes inaccurate information.
0	Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
Blank	No response.

6^th Grade
History

During the 19^th century, the continent of Africa was randomly divided into many colonies by European nations seeking power and resources. The African continent was impacted politically, economically, and culturally by colonization. Describe 2 impacts this history of European control and colonization has had on the development of modern African nations.

6^th Grade
History Rubric

Score Point	Description
4	The student demonstrates an extensive understanding of 2 impacts of European colonization on the development of modern African nations. The student makes insightful connections between European colonization and modern African nations using extensive detail. The student communicates in an organized way using of extensive detail.
3	The student demonstrates a broad understanding of 2 impacts of European colonization on the development of modern African nations. The student makes broad connections between European colonization and modern African nations. The student communicates in an organized way using broad details.
2	The student demonstrates a basic understanding of 1 impact of European colonization on the development of modern African nations. The student makes basic connections between European colonization and modern African nations using limited detail. The student does not communicate in an organized way but uses limited detail.
1	The student demonstrates a minimal understanding of 1 impact of European colonization on the development of modern African nations. The student makes no connection between European colonization and modern African nations. The student does not communicate in an organized way and includes inaccurate information.
0	Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant.
Blank	No response.

Suggestions:

Examples of Impacts:

Language, government (young/unstable), poor economy, music/clothing, religion, resources (gone), political boundaries/warfare.

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Social Studies Competency Assurance Documents

6th Grade Social Studies Open Response Questions

6th Grade Government and Civics

6th Grade Government and Civics Rubric

6th Grade Culture and Society

6th Grade Culture and Society Rubric

6th Grade Economics

6th Grade Economics Rubric

6th Grade Geography

6th Grade Geography Rubric

6th Grade History

6th Grade History Rubric