Unit Plan 21 (Grade 7 Social Studies): Reformers and Religious Change
Analyze the causes and consequences of the Reformation—how new ideas, power struggles, and civic ideals transformed religion, politics, and everyday life across Europe.
Focus: Describe causes and consequences of the Reformation across Europe; evaluate ideas, power, and everyday life.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Social Studies (World History • Civics • Geography • Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students investigate why reform movements erupted within Western Christianity and how they reshaped politics, society, and belief. Through short sources (theses, edicts, catechisms, woodcuts), comparative maps, and argument writing, learners connect ideas, interests, and institutions to explain both change and continuity across Europe.
Essential Questions
- What problems and new ideas fueled religious reform, and why in the early 1500s?
- How did the Reformation alter power, rights, and responsibilities for rulers and communities?
- Which consequences—political, social, or cultural—were most significant, and for whom?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Explain multiple causes (doctrinal disputes, church abuses, humanism, printing, politics) and effects (confessional states, wars, reforms, education) of the Reformation (Hist.2).
- Compare perspectives of key groups (reformers, church leaders, rulers, townspeople, women, minorities) and how experiences differed by region (Hist.3).
- Examine civic ideals—justice, rule of law, liberty of conscience—in Reformation-era debates and responses (Civ.4).
- Develop a written/oral argument supported by corroborated sources with citations (Inq.4).
- Interpret and annotate thematic maps showing diffusion of beliefs and political alignments.
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (C3-based custom)
- 7.C3.Hist.2 — Causes and effects of major developments.
- 7.C3.Hist.3 — Diverse perspectives and experiences across societies.
- 7.C3.Civ.4 — Civic ideals in belief systems and early governments.
- 7.C3.Inq.4 — Explanations/arguments using multiple sources and citations.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name several causes of the Reformation and connect each to a specific effect.
- I can compare two perspectives on a reform issue and explain why they differ.
- I can use maps and documents to support a clear claim with citations.