6th Grade Indiana Social Studies & Civics Standards
History
Standard 1: Students explore the key historic movements, events, and figures that contributed to the development of modern Europe and America from early civilizations through modern times by examining religious institutions, trade and cultural interactions, political institutions, and technological developments.
Early and Classical Civilizations: 1900 BCE to 700 CE
6.H.1 Summarize the rise, decline, and cultural achievements of ancient civilizations in Europe and Mesoamerica.
● Examples: Greek, Roman, Mayan, Incan, and Aztec
6.1.2 Describe and compare the beliefs, the spread and the influence of religions throughout Europe and Mesoamerica.
● Examples: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, native practices in Mesoamerica and Europe
Medieval Period: 400 AD/CE - 1500 AD/CE
6.1.3 Explain the continuation and contributions of Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
● Examples: Influence of the spread of Christianity in Russia and Eastern Europe
6.1.4 Identify and explain the development and organization of political, cultural, social and economic systems in Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: Feudal system, manorial system, rise of kingdoms and empires, and religious institutions
6.1.5 Analyze the diverse points of view and interests of those involved in the Crusades and give examples of the changes brought about by the Crusades.
● Examples: Increased contact between European and non-European peoples, impact on Jews and Muslims in Europe and the Middle East, changes in technology, and centralization of political and military power
6.1.6 Identify trade routes and discuss their impact on the rise of cultural centers and trade cities in Europe and Mesoamerica.
● Examples: Florence, Genoa, Venice, Naples, Tenochtitlan, Machu Picchu and Teotihuacan
6.1.7 Describe how the Black Death, along with economic, environmental and social factors led to the decline of medieval society.
6.1.8 Compare the diverse perspectives, ideas, interests and people that brought about the Renaissance in Europe.
● Examples: Ideas - the importance of the individual, scientific inquiry based on observation and experimentation, interest in Greek and Roman thought, and new approaches in the fine arts and literature; People - Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Nicholas Copernicus, William Shakespeare and Galileo Galilei
6.1.9 Analyze the interconnections of people, places and events in the economic, scientific and cultural exchanges of the European Renaissance that led to the Scientific Revolution, voyages of discovery and imperial conquest.
Early Modern Era: 1500 CE to 1800 CE
6.1.10 Examine and explain the outcomes of European colonization as it impacted the Americas including the cultural exchange between Europe and the Americas.
6.1.11 Compare and contrast Spanish, Portuguese, French, and British colonies in the Americas.
6.1.12 Describe the Reformations and their effects on European and American society.
● Examples: Missionary activities, the rise of Calvinism and Lutheranism, Henry VIII’s break with Parliament and the Catholic Church, the principle of separation of church and state, Papal reform, and the Council of Trent.
6.1.13 Explain the origin and spread of scientific, political, and social ideals associated with the Age of Enlightenment/Age of Reason.
● Examples: American and French Revolutions and the spread of democratic ideals, the Scientific Revolution, and the influence on world religions resulting in the assimilation of religious groups.
6.1.14 Describe the origins, developments and innovations of the Industrial Revolution and explain the impact of these changes brought about urbanization, changing role of women and child labor.
Modern Era: 1700 AD to Present
6.1.15 Describe the impact of industrialization and urbanization on the lives of individuals and on trade and cultural exchange between Europe and the Americas and the rest of the world.
6.1.16 Discuss the benefits and challenges related to the development of a highly technological society.
● Examples: Atomic energy, computers and environmental change.
Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Analysis and Interpretation, Research
6.1.17 Create and compare timelines that identify major people, events and developments in the history of individual civilizations and/or countries that comprise Europe and the Americas.
6.1.18 Define and use the terms decade, century, and millennium, and compare alternative ways that historical periods and eras are designated by identifying the organizing principles upon which each is based.
6.1.19 Analyze cause-and-effect relationships, keeping in mind multiple causations, including the importance of individuals, ideas, human interests, beliefs and chance in history.
● Examples: The decline of Greek city-states, the destruction of the Aztecs, and state-sponsored genocide, including the Holocaust.
6.1.20 Differentiate between fact and interpretation in historical accounts and explain the meaning of historical passages by identifying who was involved, what happened, where it happened, and relating them to outcomes that followed and gaps in the historical record.
6.1.21 Form research questions and use a variety of information resources to obtain, evaluate and present data on people, cultures and developments in Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: Collect data and create maps, graphs or spreadsheets showing the impact of immigration patterns in Canada, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster on Russia and access to health care in the European Union (EU).
6.1.22 Identify issues related to an historical event in Europe or the Americas and give basic arguments for and against that issue utilizing the perspectives, interests and values of those involved.
● Examples: The role of women in different time periods, decline of ancient civilizations, and attitudes toward human rights
6.1.23 Using primary and secondary sources to examine an historical account about an issue of the time, reconstruct the literal meaning of the passages by identifying who was involved, what happened, where it happened, what events led to these developments and what consequences or outcomes followed.
Civics and Government
Standard 2: Students compare and contrast forms of government in different historical periods with contemporary political structures of Europe and the Americas and examine the rights and responsibilities of individuals in different political systems.
Foundations of Government
6.2.1 Compare and contrast major forms of governments in Europe and the Americas throughout history.
● Examples: Greek democracies, Roman Republic, Aztec monarchy, parliamentary government, U.S. Republic, and totalitarianism
6.2.2 Explain how the elements and foundations of Greek direct democracy can be found in modern systems of government.
6.2.3 Explain how the elements and foundations of Roman representative democracy are present in modern systems of government.
6.2.4 Examine key ideas of Magna Carta (1215), the Petition of Right (1628), and the English Bill of Rights (1689) as documents to place limits on the English monarchy and how they have affected the shaping of other governments.
6.2.5 Define the term nation-state and describe the rise of nation-states headed by monarchs in Europe from 1500 to 1700.
Functions of Government
6.2.6 Discuss the impact of major forms of government in Europe and the Americas on civil and human rights.
6.2.7 Identify and describe the functions of international political organizations in the world today.
● Examples: Examine the functions of the International Court of Justice, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the United Nations (UN).
Roles of Citizens
6.2.8 Define and compare citizenship and the citizen’s role throughout history in Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: Compare methods of voting; participation in voluntary organizations of civil society; and participation in the government in Great Britain, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.
Geography
Standard 3: Students identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries and cities of Europe, and the Western Hemisphere.
World in Spatial Terms
6.3.1 Demonstrate a broad understanding of the countries and capitals of Europe and the Americas.
6.3.2 Identify the four hemispheres of the earth and use latitude and longitude to locate the capital cities of Europe, North America, and South America to show absolute location and relative location to the Earth's surfaces.
6.3.3 Name and locate the seven continents, the five oceans, and fours hemispheres on a world map and explain that geographic names vary regionally, historically, politically, and spatially.
● Note: Continents include Africa, Antarctica, Asia, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. Oceans include Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. (Note: National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration recognizes five oceans; International Hydrographic Organization recognizes four.)
Places and Regions
6.3.4 Describe and compare major cultural characteristics of regions in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
● Examples: Language, religion, recreation, clothing, diet, music/dance, family structure, and traditions
Physical Systems
6.3.5 Give examples and describe the formation of important river deltas, mountains and bodies of water in Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: Volga River, Canadian Rockies, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Lochs in Scotland.
6.3.6 Explain how ocean currents and winds influence climate differences for Europe and the Americas.
6.3.7 Locate and describe the climate regions of Europe and the Americas and explain how and why they differ.
● Examples: Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current (NAC)
6.3.8 Describe and compare major physical characteristics of regions (biomes) of Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: rainforests, mountain ranges, rivers, woodlands, deserts.
Human Systems
6.3.9 Identify current patterns of population distribution and growth in Europe and the Americas using a variety of geographic representations such as maps, charts, graphs, and satellite images and aerial photography. Evaluate different push and pull factors trigger migrations.
● Examples: rural and urban areas; immigration
6.3.10 Explain the ways cultural diffusion, invention, and innovation change culture.
6.3.11 Differentiate between the terms anthropology, archeology, and artifacts while explaining how these contribute to our understanding of societies in the present and the past.
Economics
Standard 4: Students examine the influence of physical and cultural factors upon the economic systems of countries in Europe and the Americas.
6.4.1 Give examples of how trade related to key developments in the history of Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: The growth of trading towns and cities in medieval Europe led to money economies, competition to expand world trade led to European voyages of trade and exploration, and Mayan trade in Mesoamerica led to colonization and the diffusion of art.
6.4.2 Analyze how countries of Europe and the Americas have been influenced by trade in different historical periods.
● Examples: Increased production and consumption and lower prices
6.4.3 Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currency between various countries.
6.4.4 Describe how different economic systems (traditional, command, market and mixed) in Europe and the Americas answer the basic economic questions on what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce.
6.4.5 Compare the standard of living of various countries of Europe and the Americas today using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita as an indicator.
6.4.6 Analyze current economic issues in the countries of Europe or the Americas using a variety of information resources.
● Examples: Use information sources such as digital newspapers, the Internet and podcasts to examine changes in energy prices and consumption, exchange rates and currency values.
6.4.7 Identify economic connections between the local community and the countries of Europe and the Americas, and identify job skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
6.4.8 Define how European and American countries utilize a welfare state system, and then identify ways that societies engage with helpful and harmful externalities in Europe and the Americas.
● Examples: Government support of public education and governments taxing or regulating pollution
6.4.9 Explain how saving and investing help increase productivity and economic growth and compare and contrast individual saving and investing options.
● Examples: Savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and stocks