AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Cultures
IPG: Fifth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 6
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Government
Overarching Government is different in societies past and present.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How have societies, both past and present, developed their governments?
What causes differences and similarities between governments?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Environment
Overarching The environment provides resources for human needs and activities.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How do economic, historical, and technological forces impact the environment?
How does the environment provide resources for human needs and activities?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Cultures
IPG: Fifth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 6
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Space and Regions
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Human and physical characteristics define regions.
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Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
How do physical characteristics define a region and its boundaries?
How is cultural unity and diversity important within and across groups in different spaces and
regions?
How do characteristics of a region influence relationships with other regions and places?
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Change
Societal and environmental forces cause change.
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How do economic, historical, and social forces cause change?
How do interpretations of events, people, places, or situations vary and affect the changes caused
by these interpretations?
How do individuals cope with change?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
2
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: World Cultures
IPG: Fifth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 6
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Needs and Wants
Overarching Groups, societies, and cultures address human needs and wants in similar and different ways.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How do people use resources to meet needs and wants?
How are goods and services related to needs and wants?
MAJOR CONCEPT #6: Conflict
Overarching Societal, economic, and environmental forces cause conflict.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How do economic and environmental forces cause conflict?
How do changes in society lead to conflict?
How does conflict improve people’s lives?
How does conflict cause turmoil in people’s lives?
© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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