6th Grade
Unit 1-Thinking like a Historian
Analytical Techniques (Historical Thinking): Students will learn how historians employ analytical techniques such as corroboration, contextualization, and sourcing to understand the past.
Research Skills: Developing research questions, constructing academic arguments supported by evidence, and addressing counterclaims will be emphasized to strengthen critical thinking skills.
Unit 2- The Development of Civilization
Key Elements: Students will study essential elements of civilizations, including government, religion, technology, economy, culture, social hierarchy, writing, communication, and geography.
Turning Points: Understanding historical periods through the identification of turning points will be a focus, especially in the absence of written records during prehistory.
Unit 3- River Valley Civilizations
Geographical Influence: Exploration of river civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley) and their shared characteristics due to geography.
Agriculture and Society: Understanding how agriculture and domestication led to the rise of the first civilizations, impacting global populations.
Cultural Contributions: Recognition of common features in river civilizations, including religion, job specialization, cities, government, writing, technology, and social hierarchy.
Unit 4- Comparative World Religions-
Role of Religions: Investigation into the role of religions in shaping cultures, traditions, and identities.
Commonalities and Differences: Exploring both commonalities and differences in core beliefs, ethical codes, practices, and social relationships among various world religions.
Impact on Societies: Understanding the impact of religion on social, political, and economic systems, as well as its influence on cultural and individual identities.
Unit 5- Classical civilizations
Territorial Expansion: Study of classical civilizations (China, India, Greece, Rome) that expanded and governed large territories, leaving lasting cultural legacies.
Influences of Art and Science: Examination of these civilizations through the lens of art, science, key documents, and artifacts.
Factors in Decline: Understanding internal and external factors that contributed to the decline of classical civilizations.
Unit 6- Political Powers and Achievements-
Eurasian Power Shifts: Exploration of new power arrangements across Eurasia and the techniques employed by political states and empires for expanding and maintaining control.
Stability and Innovation: Recognition of periods of relative stability that allowed for significant cultural, technological, and scientific innovations.
