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State Goal 17 - The Learning Standards Middle/Jr. High School Learning Standard A: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth. 17. A. 3a. Explain how people use geographic markers and boundaries to analyze and navigate Earth (e.g., hemispheres, meridians, continents, bodies of water). 17. A. 3b. Explain how to make and use geographic representations to provide and enhance spatial information including maps, graphs, charts, models, aerial photographs, satellite images. Learning Standard B: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to analyze and explain characteristics and interactions of the Earth's physical systems. 17. B. 3a. Explain how physical processes including climate, plate tectonics, erosion, soil formation, water cycle, and circulation patterns in the ocean shape patterns in the environment and influence availability and quality of natural resources. 17. B. 3b. Explain how changes in components of an ecosystem affect the system overall. Learning Standard C: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand relationships between geographic factors and society. 17. C. 3a. Explain how human activity is affected by geographic factors. 17. C. 3b. Explain how patterns of resources are used throughout the world. 17. C. 3c. Analyze how human processes influence settlement patterns including migration and population growth. Learning Standard D: As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the historical significance of geography. 17. D. 3a. Explain how and why spatial patterns of settlement change over time. 17. D. 3b. Explain how interactions of geographic factors have shaped present conditions.