Units of Study

World History and Geography: Ancient Civilizations 

Students in grade six expand their understanding of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western ancient civiliza tions. Geography is of special significance in the development of the human story. Continued emphasis is placed on the everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of people, their role in developing social, economic, and political structures, as well as in establishing and spreading ideas that helped transform the world forever. Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. Stu dents analyze the interactions among the various cultures, emphasizing their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds. 

California Department of Education. (n.d.). California Department of Education. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ 

🌍 Early Humans & Prehistory

Students learn:

• How early humans adapted and survived

• The development of tools and agriculture

• The transition from nomads to settled communities

🏺 Mesopotamia

Students study:

• Sumerians and early cities

• Cuneiform writing

• Hammurabi’s Code

• Irrigation and farming systems

🏜️ Ancient Egypt

Students learn about:

• Pharaohs and dynasties

• The Nile River’s importance

• Pyramids and mummification

• Egyptian religion and achievements

✡️ Ancient Israel

Students study:

• Hebrew beliefs and traditions

• Monotheism

• Historical significance of Judaism

🏛️ Ancient Greece

Students explore:

• Geography and city-states

• Athens vs. Sparta

• Democracy and citizenship

• Mythology, art, and philosophy

• Alexander the Great

🦅 Ancient Rome

Students learn:

• Roman Republic and Empire

• Government and law

• Engineering and roads

• Rise and fall of Rome

• Influence on today’s world