6th Grade Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations 

Etta Brown, M.Ed. 

 Email: etta.brown@rentonschools.us Staff website  http://staff.rentonschools.us/mms/ebrown (425) 204-3627

WELCOME to McKnight Middle School Social Studies! I am very excited to be your teacher—I look forward to getting to know you, and guiding you through your first year at McKnight. Learning about world history can be a LOT of fun, and I believe you will enjoy it. Not only will you build your critical thinking skills, reading comprehension and elaborative writing skills, but together we will explore, discuss, and learn about ancient civilizations so we can be better thinkers, and problem solvers today. Please keep this syllabus as your guide.

I am looking forward to seeing what makes you curious about our past, and how many of the themes carry on today. We still struggle with concepts such as water rights, status of women and girls, child labor and lack of access to education, and slavery still exists in many forms, as well as human rights issues.

This is an interesting and challenging year for all of us as we learn in a remote platform. We will have a combination of Zoom sessions, pre-recorded videos, time to work as a class, small groups and individually. Additionally, there will be time built in to our afternoon to check in with me!

Course Overview:

In the 6th grade curriculum, students learn about various global ancient civilizations and their enduring influences on today’s society. Through this process, students will analyze how geographic and environmental factors impacted the survival and development of the ancient civilizations. Additionally, students will be analyzing the complexity and richness of these societies’ cultures, and often noticing common themes present throughout the ancient world, which reflect in our modern world.

Course Goals:

• Analyze the development of complex civilizations

• Participate in ongoing inquiry

• Compare and contrast civilizations

• Determine the central ideas of primary and secondary sources

• Cite textual evidence to support the analysis of primary and secondary sources

• Elaborate on the significance of our evidence

• Write informational/explanatory and argumentative texts and engage in research

Topics to be explored:

Students begin with the first farming and complex societies, focusing on Mesopotamia, but connecting to other farming civilizations. Students then analyze the development of complex civilizations, focusing on the stability of Egypt and Kush, creating comparisons with other complex civilizations. Students continue the skill of analysis

 of other ancient civilizations, including a study of the Mediterranean Empires of Greece and Rome. Students end the year researching an ancient civilization of their choice and making comparisons to those we’ve previously studied, especially in the field of how enduring themes often continue in today’s world.

Course Standards Addressed:

History - Student understands and applies knowledge of historical thinking, chronology, eras, turning points, major ideas, individuals, and themes in Ancient Cultures.

Geography – Student understands and applies concepts of location, region, movement, and geographic features of World Geography and Ancient Cultures.

Civics and Economics – Student understands and applies knowledge of government, law, politics (Civics) and economic concepts and systems (economics), to the study of World Geography and Ancient Cultures.

Reading in Social Studies – Student can read and understand appropriately complex primary and secondary social studies sources.

Writing in Social Studies – Student writes informational and argumentative pieces.

Course Materials include:

Textbook for 6th Grade Social Studies (also available online): History Alive! The Ancient World

Newsela articles

Standards-Based Grading Model:

Assessment (ASMT) Tests, Essays, and Projects shows you understand the concepts and can communicate process.

Citizenship & Effort (CIT) (EFF)* Classwork, Homework, Formative Assessments are to practice knowledge and skills necessary for passing assessments). These assignments are used as evidence of learning standards. Citizen/community skills are measured in the following: accepts responsibility, shows active listening skills, respects personal/public property, respects the voice of others, values instructional time, and actively takes part in the classroom community.

Effort is measured by: Is prepared and follows the class routine, completes classwork and homework, and shows focus during class time.

***Although homework and classwork are not calculated into your academic grade, each will affect community skills and effort grade indicators on the report card. Good work habits, preparedness, punctuality, and behavior are necessary for you to succeed in class. While these are a small part of your grade, they will be taught, monitored, and considered.  Parents will be involved in this process since they are an important part of the students’ education.

4-point scale: all assignments will be scored on a 4-point grades scale (except for warm up assignments).

4=Exceeding standard; 3=Meeting standard; 2=Approaching standard; 1=Attempting standard

Class Expectations/Guidelines for Success:

We have only one rule in our class: Kindness Matters! Everything else is a procedure and an expectation. We will create our operating CLASS NORMS together at the beginning of the year. 

It is important for students to follow norms set up by McKnight while in Zoom meetings: we are still in a classroom setting, and we are still learning. *Please click on link to go to the Zoom expectations

Students are always expected to conduct themselves in a positive and productive manner. If you are unable or unwilling, I will assist you in obtaining the resources and training necessary for you to be successful.

We are a class of ‘180 Days of Fabulous.’ Every day is fabulous, and if we struggle, we know that tomorrow is a brand-new chance to shine and show excellence and resiliency. We forgive and move forward. Additionally, we follow the tenets LANCER WAY  (Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Responsibility) *Please click on link to go to the Lancer Way expectations.

Again, welcome LANCERS!!

Ms. Brown