Grade 6 - Social Studies

We begin the year with our social studies unit on the United States Constitution.  In this unit, sixth graders examine the founding of our country. They explore the events that led up to the writing of the Constitution and the structure of government established by the Constitution including the electoral process. When examining key events, students focus on the role that people played and how groups of people were impacted.  After examining the amendment process, students learn about some key amendments related to people’s rights and voting. At the end of the unit students learn about structure and function of state government and what it means to participate in a democracy.  We will be scheduling a field trip to Connecticut’s Old State House and to our State Capitol Building in Hartford. Additional information about the field trip will be available.  

This unit on the continent of Africa is designed for students to understand the significance of Africa in relation to their own lives. Students will explore the diversity of the continent’s geography and its impact on culture. They will analyze geographical representations to understand the people, culture, economy, and technology of some of the nations on this large continent. They will explore the causes and impact of the migration of people across Africa and out of Africa (past and present) to gain a deep understanding of who Africans are today. As civic minded contributors, students will develop cultural competence about the African people. To develop global fluency, students will learn about global interdependence and the role of African nations in our world. By the end of the unit students should understand the diversity of the continent, its people, and their connections to Africa as global citizens.

Students begin this unit exploring the geography of the region and its impact on cultures.  Students explore how history has shaped the cultures of Latin America. While engaging in an inquiry-research project about ancient civilizations ( Maya, Aztec, Inca), students analyze the components of civilizations and their influence on modern life in Latin America. Students will use both print and digital sources during their research.  They will work collaboratively to curate an Ancient Civilization Museum. In the second half of the unit, students study the Spanish Conquest (focused on the Aztecs). They use primary and secondary sources to learn about the events and analyze varying perspectives of different groups of people. Finally, students look at some examples of modern cultures and discuss how historical events have shaped them.  

When students learn about participation through voting, share with them the first time you voted and what you remember about it. Consider taking your child with you when you vote in November. 

Here are some other ways families can engage in and extend learning at home:

Historical Museums Online: 

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia has many online resources available including an Interactive Constitution.  Go to the Education tab and click on resources for families. 

Museums:  

There are some local museums that have collections related to the study of Africa. These are a few suggestions in Connecticut: 

Yale University Art Gallery - African Art   (Admission is free) 

The Amistad Center for Art and Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art 

Out of State Options: Although these require travel, there is information to explore online at both of these museums: 

American Museum of Natural History in New York  Hall of African Peoples 

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston 

Art of Africa and Oceania

Museums:  

There are some local museums that have collections related to the study of Latin America.  These are a few suggestions in Connecticut: 

Yale University Art Gallery - Art of the Ancient Americas (Free admission)

Yale Peabody Museum -  Anthropology Collections Mesoamerican and South American Please note that the Farmington Library has museum passes to the Peabody.

Out of State Options: Although these require travel, there is information to explore online at both of these museums: 

American Museum of Natural History in New York 

Mexico and Central America,

Hall of South American Peoples 

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston 

Ancient Americas