Social Studies Ð Grade 6

 
 

 

 


Unit 1: Introduction to World History

 

 

Use maps and other geographic representations, tools and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective.
Initial Understanding

Locate, list, and label the continents and oceans
Identify hemispheres

Recall the five themes of geography

Developing an Interpretation

Distinguish between cities, states, countries and continents
Differentiate between political, physical and thematic maps

Making Connections

Determine absolute location using knowledge of longitude and latitude
Apply knowledge of five themes of geography to describe the relationship of people to their environment

Critical Stance

Integrate knowledge of map skills and features to design a map
Draw conclusions about the world based upon the five themes of geography

Examine, interpret and effectively use historical artifacts, primary sources of information, maps, tables, charts, graphs, and timelines.

Initial Understanding

Define vocabulary terms and concepts related to the study of history

Describe how historians and archaeologists gather evidence to interpret history

Gather information from multiple sources

Developing an Interpretation

Distinguish between past, present, and future time

Distinguish between eras of pre-history and history

Construct a narrative using chronological thinking

 

Formulate questions based on historical sources

Making Connections

Examine an artifact and determine how it defines a culture
Apply mathematical skills to measure time by years, decades and centuries

Calculate time from fixed points of the calendar system

 

Utilize data from graphs, tables and charts to clarify or illustrate information
Critical Stance

Evaluate data to create a timeline that sequences events in equidistant intervals

 


Unit 2:  Ancient River Valley Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India

Identify the major characteristics of civilization in Mesopotamia, Egypt and India.

Initial Understanding

Define the elements and characteristics of a civilization

Locate and identify key physical features of the Fertile Crescent, Egypt and India

Locate and recall modern countries and states of the Middle East

Developing an Interpretation

Apply criteria of civilization to present day society

Utilize historic maps to interpret information

Trace human developments that led to the emergence of agricultural societies

Explain how and why humans established communities and developed agriculture

Making Connections

Draw conclusions about life in desert regions

Compare the physical features of the river valley regions with local geography

Compare and contrast nomadic peoples and agrarian communities

Critical Stance

Evaluate how geography effected the development of civilization in the river valleys
Design a visual representation that portrays the life in an ancient city-state

 

Recall significant achievements of Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus River Valley and explain how these developments contributed to subsequent civilizations.

Initial Understanding

Identify early forms of written language and explain early writing techniques

Define polytheism and monotheism

Developing an Interpretation

Trace trade routes connecting Egypt, Mesopotamia and Indus valley

Explain the beliefs, practices and development of Hinduism and Buddhism

Construct a timeline of significant events and developments in the Ancient Near East

Making Connections

Compare the forms of writing that developed and explain how written records shaped political, legal, religious and cultural life

Compare and contrast ancient law codes with the laws in the United States

Analyze the role of the structure caste system and gender roles in Indian society

Critical Stance

Simulate the development of a civilization and make decisions regarding: location; form of government; division of labor; local economy; and cultural attributes

Evaluate the cultural similarities and differences between Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus Valley

 

 

Unit 3: Classical Civilizations and Empires: China, Greece, Rome

 

Explain the development of civilization in China

Initial Understanding

Locate and identify key physical and man-made features of China

Name significant Chinese Dynasties and define Confucianism and Taoism

 

Imagine life in early Chinese urban societies

Developing an Interpretation

Discuss the political significance of the Mandate of Heaven

Examine the literary, artistic and technological achievements

Making Connections

Analyze the geographic features that isolated China from the rest of the world

Construct a timeline of events, important leaders and achievements


Critical Stance

Evaluate the importance of the Silk Road

Evaluate the rule of Shi Huangdi and the methods used to unify China

 

Examine the emergence and development of Greek city-states

Initial Understanding

Locate and label key physical features of Greece

Define and distinguish between democracy, oligarchy, and dictatorship

Developing an Interpretation

Explain the different the roles of men, women and the various classes in Greek society

Examine the significance of Greek mythology 

Describe contributions of important Greek figures in the arts and sciences

Making Connections

Summarize the reasons for the conflict between Athens and Sparta

 

Compare and contrast Athenian democracy with the military aristocracy of Sparta

Critical Stance

Judge AlexanderÕs achievements as leader and analyze why the empire broke apart

Evaluate how Greek ideas about democracy and citizenship influenced Western thought


Examine the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Initial Understanding

Identify the location and explain the importance of RomeÕs geographic setting

Recall the role of Latins and Etruscans and examine early Roman mythology

Define patrician, plebian and tribune

Developing an Interpretation

Describe qualities of leadership

Discuss aspects of daily life of the rich, the poor, the slaves and women in Rome

Describe the achievements of the five Ògood emperorsÓ (Pax Romana)

Making Connections

Create a map that illustrates the growth and expansion of the Roman Empire

Compare Roman recreation, lifestyle and culture with modern society

Explain the causes and consequence of CaesarÕs assassination

Compare the Twelve Tables with previous and current law codes

Critical Stance                                                                                                   

Judge several Roman emperors against criteria for Ògood leadershipÓ

 

Analyze the fall of Rome and how it led to the birth of medieval civilization

 

 

Unit 4: Challenge and Changes of the Middle Ages: Europe and Asia

Examine the causes and consequences of the rise of Islamic civilization

Initial Understanding

Locate and describe the physical features and climate of the Arabian Peninsula

Define important terms: Koran, Mecca, and Bedouins

Developing an Interpretation

Explain the impact of geography on Arab culture and describe nomadic ways of life

Examine the origins of Islam

Making Connections

Create a map that traces the spread of Islam and the growth of Islamic Empire

Identify similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Critical Stance

Evaluate the impact of Islam and Islamic civilization to later civilizations

 


Examine the civilizations of China, Japan and India in the Middle Ages.

Initial Understanding

Locate and label important physical features Southeast Asia

Review the beliefs of Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism

Developing an Interpretation

Describe the importance of maritime exploration to China

Examine social class structure of medieval Japan and describe the role of the Samurai

 

Trace the historic influence of the discovery of tea, paper, printing, the compass, and gunpowder

Making Connections

Explain the importance of Hinduism in India and the impact of Muslim rulers

Create a timeline of Japanese history through the Middle Ages

 

Compare and contrast the two great empires of India: Gupta and Mughal

Critical Stance
            Judge the merits and shortcomings of JapanÕs feudal system

 

Analyze the historical and cultural developments of Medieval Europe.

Initial Understanding

Locate and label important physical features and political boundaries of Europe

 

Imagine and describe day-to-day life in medieval European society

Developing an Interpretation

Trace the new routes of trade and exploration during the Middle Ages

Describe the importance of the Magna Carta, Renaissance and Reformation

Explain the role of the Church and the reasons for the Crusades

Examine the rise of Protestantism and its impact on European society

Examine the growth of cities and the merchant class in medieval society

Making Connections

Summarize the cultural achievements

Trace the origins of Feudalism and explain its structure

Critical Stance

Evaluate the effects of European contact and exchange with new lands

Evaluate the connection of lore from the Middle Ages to modern tales of heroes

Evaluate and judge the actions of crusaders