Ancient History
6th-Grade
Students in the sixth grade expand their knowledge of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western ancient civilizations. 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. Students analyze the interactions among the various cultures, emphasizing their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds.
Course Overview: 6th-grade Ancient History
Trimester I
Unit 1: Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization
Textbook Chapters
1 - Investigating the Past
2 - Early Hominids
3 - From Hunters and Gatherers to Farmers
4 - The Rise of Sumerian City-States
5 - Ancient Sumer
6 - Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia
Projects
Hominid Superhero Posters
Sumerian Advertisements
Unit 2: Ancient Egypt and the Middle East
Textbook Chapters
7 - Geography and the Early Settlement of Egypt, Kush, and Canaan
8 - The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs
9 - Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
10 - The Kingdom of Kush
11 - Origins of Judaism
12 - Learning about World Religions: Judaism
Projects
Egypt Research Paper
Trimester II
- Unit 3: Ancient India
Textbook Chapters
13 - Geography and Early Settlement of India
14 - Unlocking the Secrets of Mohenjodaro
15 - Learning about World Religions: Hinduism
16 - Learning about World Religions: Buddhism
17 - The First Unification of India
18 - The Achievements of the Gupta Empire
Projects
Indian Advancements Research Poster
Unit 4: Ancient China
Textbook Chapters
19 - Geography and Early Settlement of China
20 - The Shang Dynasty
21 - Three Chinese Philosophies
22 - The First Emperor of China
23 - The Han Dynasty
24 - The Silk Road
Projects
Shang Dynasty Travel Brochures
Silk Road Board Games
Trimester III
Unit 5: Ancient Greece
Textbook Chapters
25 - Geography and Settlement of Greece
26 - The Rise of Democracy
27 - Life in Two City-States: Athens and Sparta
28 - Fighting the Persian Wars
29 - The Golden Age of Athens
30 - Alexander the Great and His Empire
31 - The Legacy of Ancient Greece
Projects
Greek Dramatic Skits
Mythology Research Presentations
Unit 6: Ancient Rome
Textbook Chapters
32 - Geography and the Early Development of Rome
33 - The Rise of the Roman Republic
34 - From Republic to Empire
35 - Daily Life in the Roman Empire
36 - The Origins and Spread of Christianity
37 - Learning about World Religions: Christianity
38 - The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World
Projects
CSI Investigation: Assassination of Julius Caesar