Sixth Grade Social Studies
1
“Social Studies 101”
(Foundational Skills)
Students will review foundational skills such as analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources and basic geography skills.
Students will review the five themes of geography.
Students will also be introduced to how to conduct historical inquiry.
2
Early Man to Civilizations
(Paleolithic, Neolithic)
Students will explore the innovations that occurred during prehistoric times and how innovation led to human progress.
This unit will also include the Agricultural Revolution and the rise of civilizations.
3
River Valley Civilizations
(Mesopotamia & Egypt)
Students will explore two of the earliest civilizations that settled along the river valleys, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
In this unit, they will learn about early government and economic systems as well as social structures that are created once humans “settle.”
4
Ancient Asian Civilizations
(Indus River Valley and China)
Students will expand what they have learned about early river valley civilizations by learning about the history and cultures of ancient Asian river valley civilizations.
Students will begin to make comparisons about social structures, economic systems, and government structures between civilizations to analyze how geography can impact how people live.
5
Classical Civilizations
(Greece, Rome, Byzantium)
Students will learn that we know more about classical civilizations than previous civilizations. This is due to:
the many artifacts and writings that survived,
and because of their vast influence on the world through expansion.
New forms of government and thoughts about society arise during this time, and conflict over religion becomes more prevalent within and between civilizations.
6
The Middle Ages
(Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas)
Students will evaluate changes after the fall of the Roman Empire. Trade and economic networks change, government interactions change, religious influence and interactions also change.
The world faces a Plague that greatly impacts Europe and beyond and religions clash for power over Jerusalem.