Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

Unit Early Humankind (6 weeks)

Enduring Understandings Early people learned to adapt to their environment to survive.

Essential Questions How did huntergatherers survive, and what resources did they utilize? Where did early people settle, and what impact did their environment have on their survival? How did climate affect early peoples? How were early people able to change their environment?

Knowledge

Skills

1. Key vocabulary 2. Physical geography and human geography contribute to the study of history. 3. Prehistoric people learned to adapt and change their environment. 4. The development of agriculture changed the lives of early peoples. 5. How changes in Earth’s climate at the end of the last Ice Age affected the way people got their food. 6. Early people began to live together in villages. 7. Recognize how early cities began.

1. Study the physical and cultural development of early humans. 2. Explain how the development of tools and fire helped early human communities. 3. Describe what is known about the early humans through archaeological studies. 4. Describe how early humans found food and shelter, and populated the major regions of the world. 5. Understand and utilize basic map skills. 6. Describe how people lived during

Suggested Assessments 1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of lessons. 3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

Learning Activities 1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a map or diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Resources 1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers. 2. Videos 3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours) 5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush (6 weeks)

Early cultures often ideas from other cultures but also developed ideas of their own.

What agricultural techniques developed in early civilizations? How did cities come to be? What was the relationship

1. Key vocabulary. 2. Analyze the social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia. 3. Describe the physical settings that supported

the end of the Ice Age and the ways they adapted to their environment. 7. Describe how village life and new inventions affected the lives of early people. 8. Utilize an elevation and relief map. 9. Describe what made towns a success and the economical and social changes that resulted from the growth of cities. 1. Know how the world’s major river systems supported the development of early civilizations. 2. Describe the world’s first

1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of lessons. 3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a map or diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers. 2. Videos 3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours)

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

between religion and social and political order in Mesopotamia and Egypt? What political, social, and cultural relationships did Egypt and Kush have?

permanent settlements and early civilizations. 4. Use a land use and products map to identify economic systems. 5. Identify how the people of southwestern Asia use their land and resources. 6. Explain and understand the relationships and religious beliefs of people in citystates. 7. Explain how the Mesopotamians were able to achieve all they did. 8. Describe the development of Sumerian writing. 9. Describe the roles of government, religion, social order, and trade in the daily lives of the

city-states. 3. Describe the achievements of people in Mesopotamia. 4. Describe the daily life in a Sumerian city-state. 5. Identify how the first empires developed in Mesopotamia. 6. Describe how the Nile River supported early civilization in ancient Egypt. 7. Describe how ancient Egypt’s religion related to its society and its government. 8. Describe how Egypt changed during and after the Middle Kingdom. 9. Identify the

chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

Sumerians. 10. Describe the accomplishments of the first empires. 11. Explain the significance of Hammurabi’s Code of Laws. 12. Analyze the social structures of the early civilizations of Egypt. 13. Explain how geography affected the political, economic, and religious structures of the early civilization of Egypt. 14. Use equalarea projection and conformal maps to identify physical features of Earth. 15. Explain/describe the ancient Egyptians’ political structure, writing, and architecture. 16. Describe the

achievements that the ancient Egyptians made during the New Kingdom. 10. Describe the relationship between the civilizations of Kush and Egypt. 11. Describe how Kush’s relationship with Egypt changed over time.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

major achievements of the Middle Kingdom. 17. Describe Egyptian trade in the eastern Mediterranean and the Nile valley. 18. Explain how religion and government changed during the New Kingdom. 19. Analyze how to use an anticipation guide while reading about the early civilizations of Kush. 20. Identify the location of the Kush and Kerma kingdoms and describe their political, commercial, and cultural lives. 21. Describe the relations between the cultures, governments,

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

and economies of Kush and Egypt. 22. Examine how the Kushites developed their own written language. 23. Analyze problems faced by Kushite kings and those facing present-day communities. The Ancient Hebrews (6 weeks)

Beliefs and customs played an important role in the development of the ancient Hebrews.

Where did the ancient Hebrews settle, and to where did they later migrate? What is the significance of Judaism as the first monotheistic religion? What are the sources of the ethical teachings and central beliefs of Judaism? How did individuals affect the

1. Analyze the geographic and social structures of the early Hebrews. 2. Identify the sources of the ethical teachings and central beliefs of Judaism. 3. Explain the significance of Abraham, Moses, and the Exodus in Jewish history. 4. Explain how the achievements of Saul, David, and Solomon led to

1. Tell why the development of Judaism by the ancient Hebrews was important. 2. Describe how Israel became a kingdom, and what changes it brought for the Israelites. 3. Describe what people and events played an important part in changes in Israel. 4. Describe

1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of lessons. 3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a map or diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers. 2. Videos 3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours) 5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

development of the Jewish religion?

The Ancient Greeks (6 weeks)

The ancient Greeks made many contributions in areas of

What are the key differences between direct

the growth of the kingdom of Israel and the Jewish religion. 5. Describe what everyday life was like for the ancient Israelites after their return to Canaan. 6. Explain why the kingdom of Israel ended. 7. Analyze the religious, economic, and social structures of the early Hebrews. 8. Explain how Judaism developed and survived despite the scattering of Jews to other lands. 9. Explain how Judaism survived after the Romans destroyed the temple in A.D. 70. 1. Analyze the geographic, political, and social structures of the ancient

how Judaism changed under Babylonian and Persian rule. 5. Describe how Judaism survived and developed from the 300’s B.C. through the A.D. 100’s.

1. Describe how geography influenced the development

1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of

1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

government and leadership.

democracy and representative democracy? How were Athens and Sparta alike? How were they different? How did Alexander the Great spread Greek culture? What are some enduring contributions of the ancient Greeks?

Greeks. 2. Describe the geography of Greece. 3. Analyze how the ancient Greeks adapt to the land and sea. 4. Discuss the importance of trade to the ancient Greeks. 5. Describe the achievements of the Minoans and Mycenaeans. 6. Analyze the significance of the poet Homer to ancient Greek civilization. 7. Analyze the social structures of the early civilizations of ancient Greece. 8. Explain the relationship between geography and government of Greek citystates. 9. Trace the development of early forms of democracy and

of early civilizations in Greece. 2. Describe how the people in the earliest civilizations of early Greece lived. 3. Describe how the governments of Greek citystates changed over time. 4. Describe how Sparta and Athens were alike and different. 5. Describe how people and events helped the city-state of Athens rise to power. 6. Describe what contributions to the arts and sciences the ancient Greeks made. 7. Describe

lessons. 3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

map or diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

2. Videos 3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours) 5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

citizenship. 10. Describe the daily life and government of Greeks in Sparta and Athens. 11. Explain the organization of the Persian Empire. 12. Analyze the political, religious, economic, and social structures of the ancient Greeks. 13. Analyze the roles of Athens and Sparta in the wars with the Persian Empire. 14. Identify the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy. 15. Describe how Greek mythology affected the arts and sciences of the ancient Greeks. 16. Explain what ideas and beliefs

how the rivalry between Sparta and Athens led to the Peloponnesian War. 8. Tell how Alexander the Great built his empire.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

Early Civilizations of India and China (6 weeks)

The people of ancient India and China had many new ideas about society, religion, and

How did the physical setting of ancient India and China support the

shaped cultural achievements in Athens. 17. Identify events that caused the Peloponnesian War. 18. Explain how the government of Athens changed as a result of the Peloponnesian War. 19. Explain the issues that led to conflicts between neighboring citystates in ancient Greece. 20. Describe the events that led to the rise of Alexander the Great’s empire. 21. Explain how Greek culture spread during and after Alexander’s rule. 1. Study the geographic, religious, and social structures of ancient India. 2. Discuss the

1. Identify how the physical setting of the Indus River valley made it

1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of lessons.

1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a map or

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers. 2. Videos

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

government.

rise of civilization? How did the ideas of Hinduism affect Asia? How did the ideas of the Buddha change Asia? What were the achievements of the emperor Ashoka?

physical setting that supported the rise of Indian civilization. 3. Explain how the Indus River supported the growth of India’s early civilization and city-states. 4. Explain Brahmanism in ancient India and how it developed into early Hinduism. 5. Describe the life and moral teachings of Buddha. 6. Describe the growth of the Maurya and Gupta empires. 7. Describe the political and moral achievements of Ashoka. 8. Describe the cultural achievements of India’s Golden Age. 9. Study the geographic, religious,

possible for a civilization to form there. 2. Describe how Hinduism affected India’s society. 3. Describe how Buddhism developed and spread. 4. Describe how the rise of empires changed India. 5. Describe how geography helped shape early Chinese culture. 6. Identify what lasting contributions the Shang dynasty and Zhou dynasty made to China. 7. Tell what Shi Huangdi did to unite northern China. 8. Tell what lasting impact the Han

3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours) 5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

political, and social structures of ancient China. 10. Describe how geographic features helped shape life in ancient China. 11. Describe the rise of the Shang dynasty. 12. Explain how China’s society and government changed during the Zhou dynasty. 13. Describe the basic teachings of Daoism and Confucianism. 14. Describe Shi Huangdi’s policies and rule. 15. Explain the lasting influences of the Qin dynasty and Shi Haungdi. 16. Summarize the political contributions and the cultural achievements of the Han. 17. Explain the importance of the

dynasty had on China’s culture and government.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

Silk Road. 18. Analyze the social structures of early civilizations of China.

The Development of Rome (6 weeks)

The actions of individuals affected the development of Rome as it changed from a monarchy to a republic to an empire.

How did the Roman Republic’s government work? What influence did Julius Caesar and Augustus have in Rome’s transition from republic to empire? Who and what led to the spread of Christianity in Europe and other Roman territories?

1. Analyze the geographic, economic, religious, and political structure during Rome’s development. 2. Explain how Rome was founded. 3. Describe the advantages of Rome’s locations. 4. Explain the different circumstances that led to the rise of the Roman Republic. 5. Describe the features of the government of the Roman Republic. 6. Explain why Rome fought wars to expand its territory.

1. Describe how the city of Rome developed. 2. Tell how the Roman Republic was different from earlier governments. 3. Describe how and why the Roman Republic expanded. 4. Describe what problems weakened the Roman Republic. 5. Describe how Rome made the transition from a republic to an empire. 6. Describe how the Roman rulers

1. Unit/ Chapter Reviews and Tests. 2. Writing activities/performance activities at the end of lessons. 3. Unit Project: Performance Assessment.

1. Write a summary. 2. Give a speech. 3. Draw a map or diagram. 4. Write a poem. 5. Make a chart. 6. Write a biography.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

1. Ancient CivilizationsHarcourt School Publishers. 2. Videos 3. CD-ROM 4. Internet resources (Virtual tours) 5. Worksheets 6. Maps 7.Newspapers 8. Streamline movies

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

7. Identify the locations of Rome’s overseas provinces. 8. Describe how Rome’s defeat of Hannibal’s army led to the growth of Roman territories. 9. State the problems that the Roman Republic faced. 10. Discuss how Julius Caesar influenced the Roman Republic. 11. Analyze the geographic, economic, social, and political structures during the Roman Empire. 12. Identify the political and geographical reasons for the expansion of the empire. 13. Discuss the influence of Augustus on Rome’s transition from republic to empire.

strengthened their empire during times of peace. 7. Describe what everyday life was like in the Roman Empire. 8. Discuss the religious beliefs of the Roman Empire. 9. Discuss how Christianity developed in the Roman Empire. 10. Describe what led to the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire. 11. Identify what achievements of ancient Rome influence our lives today.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.

Social Studies- Grade 6 Curriculum

14. Describe what cities, farms, and daily life were like in the Roman Empire. 15. Study the geographic, religious, social, and political structures of the Roman Empire. 16. Explain how conflicts with the Romans affected the Jewish people. 17. Describe the origins of Christianity. 18. Explain the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. 19. Explain how modern civilizations have been influenced by Roman language, literature, and law.

Note: Assessments and Learning Activities are suggested. They are ultimately up to the teachers’ discretion.