This year the AAPS is rolling out a new curriculum for 6th grade social studies in response to the recently adopted state standards. This new curriculum changes the focus of 6th grade social studies from ancient world history (which will be the 7th grade focus starting next year). The middle school portion starts on page 50 of the standards document to the right and linked above.
I am quite happy to be teaching more of this type of content this year. Learning more about geography, government and economics goes a very long way in helping students to understand the world around them. I get really excited about these topics, and my students certainly see my enthusiasm. I am already looking forward to the great discussions we are going to have!
While only a small part of geography, you will notice if you ever come into my classroom, that I am a map person. There are SO MANY great maps out there and they can do such a good job of visually representing information. Maps for everything. My students will quickly learn, I also have a ton of interesting maps that I have found and saved over the years.