Course Description:

Students in the middle-level social studies program will be engaged in the geographic study of world regions as they examine major civilization development. The 6th grade curriculum is designed to allow students to observe societies dissimilar to their own in such a way as to broaden their understanding of people and places in an increasingly interdependent world. Students examine areas of the world having the longest record of human habitation and the richest diversity of human experience. These are regions within which the vast majority of the world's people live and regions that possess some of the world's most valuable resources. Students will trace the development of human society from its origin through the Renaissance Era. Students will explore patterns of change in continuity by focusing on the expansion of and the decline of civilizations, patterns of geography, and development of political, economic, and societal systems. Students will analyze and evaluate how foundations of society influence the modern era. This class will be interactive for students to enhance their understanding of global connections and their role in the world around them.

Interactive Notebook:

Each student will be keeping an interactive notebook for the year. This means that all in-class assignments and notes will be kept in the notebook. This will allow students to have a personal portfolio of their work for each quarter. In addition, it will be used as a study aid and documentation of the work that is being completed daily.

Year at a Glance

First Nine Weeks

* Map Skills

* Basic Geography Skills

* 8 Features of Civilization

* Prehistory

Second Nine Weeks

* Egypt

* Mesopotamia

* Africa

Third Nine Weeks

* India/ Indus River Valley

* China

* Greece

Fourth Nine Weeks

* Middle Ages

* Explorers

* Incas/Aztec/Mayans