Mr. Kessler
Grade 6 Social Studies
Welcome to 6th-grade social studies! Our class specializes in ancient civilizations and we do this through intensive reading and writing assignments and project based learning. For curriculum, grading, and sports information, please see below.
Email: dkessler@mountainsideschools.org
Phone: (908) 232-8828 x 410
Google Calendar
All assignments and due dates are posted on the 6th-Grade Social Studies Google Calendar. Assignments are generally posted one week in advance. Follow this link and click join for access to the calendar!
Google Classroom
The majority of assignments for social studies are posted on Google Classroom and completed digitally. Each student receives a special code to join their particular class.
Textbook
Our social studies textbook is now completely digital! The textbook offers interactive maps and charts, as well as embedded videos, reading check questions, and document based investigations. Follow the assignments tab to see current assignments done through the textbook. Follow this link for access!
Grading
Our school's policy is to break grades up into 70% academics and 30% habits of learning. The breakdown for social studies is as follows:
Tests: 40%
Projects: 30%
Classwork/Homework: 20%: Homework can be turned in one day late for half credit
Weekly Current Events: 5%
Summary and reflection of a current news story
Cannot be about sports, popular culture, or entertainment
Class Participation: 5%
R.A.C.E. Strategy
All open-ended questions in social studies will be answered using the R.A.C.E. strategy. R.A.C.E. encourages critical thinking and understanding of social studies beyond a surface level.
Restate the question
Answer all parts of the question
Cite two pieces of evidence
Explain how the evidence supports the answer
C3 Framework
The C3 (college, career, and civic life) Framework teaches the basics of the four foundations of social studies: history, geography, economics, and civics. Our class takes an in depth look at each of these lenses and applies them to the modern world.
Stone Ages
The Stone Ages unit is our first look at ancient history. Our class looks at how people and groups lived and interacted with others before and after the introduction of agriculture.
Mesopotamia
In the Mesopotamia unit, our class looks at how the first complex civilization influences modern society through inventions like writing and the wheel.
Egypt
The Egypt unit encompasses thousands of years of Egyptian history, the importance of Egyptian society in the ancient world, and its influence on modern society.
India
In the India unit we look at the development of world religions and how trade spreads not only goods, but ideas and cultures around the world
China
In the China unit, the class aims to understand the critical inventions and processes that affect our lives that draw their beginnings in ancient China.
Greece
In our final unit of the year, we look at the significance of Greek civilization, the invention of democracy, and Greece's impact and influence on today's world.
Coming Soon...
Major City Project
Country Guidebook Project
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy is a one-marking period course designed to introduce students to personal finance through project-based learning and virtual simulations. Topics covered include but are not limited to checking accounts, savings accounts, debit vs. credit, simple vs. compound interest, and investing. We will also practice check-writing, research how our favorite brands impact our world, assess the earning potential of careers of interest, and discuss the cost of college.
Boys Basketball
Basketball runs from mid-November to early February each year. Interest meetings for the upcoming season are typically announced around mid-October.
Boys Baseball
Baseball season runs from mid-March to late May for 7th and 8th-grade only. Interest meetings are typically announced around late-February