World Civilizations
6 th Grade Social Studies: 2014-15
Teacher: Scott Williamson, Rm. 323
The Ancient World and Beyond
This year, students explore the Ancient World as well as world cultures of today.
Students expand their knowledge of the world and society by participating in challenging and exciting learning experiences. The curriculum promotes awareness, knowledge, and an appreciation of the ancient world. Students are lead to make connections with ancient civilizations and are encouraged to accept responsibility as citizens of our community, state, nation, and the world!
Social Studies Teaching Philosophy
Roland Park Social Studies provides an environment that enables all students to maximize their academic potential. Through a variety of learning experiences students explore, question, problem-solve, interact, and form their own supported opinions to communicate their ideas through writing and speaking. Classroom activities are designed to engage students, develop open-mindedness, inspire community involvement, and build skills for living in a consistently changing world. An open and honest environment is the foundation of class instruction.
Textbook: History Alive! The Ancient World .
There will be a class set available. Students with internet access at home will be provided a login to access the textbook at home. Students without internet access will be provided a physical textbook to remain at home until June.
The Year at a Glance:
Unit
1*
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Area of Study
1
Geography Principles & “Think Like A Historian”
(Skills and Processes)
Hominids and Prehistoric Humans
The Rise of Civilization (Ancient Sumer & Mesopotamia)
Ancient Egypt & Middle East
Ancient India
Ancient China
Ancient Greece and Rome
World Religions and Culture (transition to 7 th grade curriculum)
1
The order of these units may change.
* The materials for this unit is from Geography Alive: People and Regions.
Expectations, Policies & Class Routines
1. Be respectful, ready, and responsible
Classroom Expectations:
I. Come positive & on time
II. Immediately begin
III. Be thoughtful
IV. Focus on your success
2. Students are responsible to retrieve missed work from the Missed Work basket and make up the assignment within two days of returning to class. All work is submitted to the Work Due basket with a name and date.
3. Late Work Policy: Work that is one day late will have 10% deducted from the grade.
Work that is two days late will have 20% deducted from the grade. Work that is more than two days late will not be accepted. Assignments that are graded, with answers reviewed in class the same day, may not earn a late grade.

World Civilizations
4. Water bottles are allowed in class. Outside of the Working Snack Time (11:05-
11:10), students may not eat in class. Students access their lockers after SPAR to pick up their 5 minute snack. A snack must be easy to eat and clean up (i.e.: a granola bar).
5. Test/Quiz Schedule: All graded assessments are completed in the computer lab.
Quizzes are every Thursday (every other week, a quiz is graded). Tests are scheduled a week in advance. A study guide is provided to help prepare.
6. Homework Updates: Assignments are posted on the homework board every
Tuesday and Thursday. Any written assignments posted are due on these days.
Binder Organization/Materials: Create a Social Studies section in your 6 th grade binder. Include subsections for Warm-ups (drill), Class Work/Notes, Homework, and
Tests/Quizzes. At the end of each quarter, all papers are taken out of the Social Studies subsections (except for Notes) and are filed away at home. This will help keep binders neat and orderly. A separate binder is needed for your National History Day Project
(brought to class each Thursday).
Purchase the following materials: several pencils an assortment of colored pencils one highlighter one 3 ring binder (1 inch) for NHD pens (dark blue/black and red) loose leaf paper
Grading: Tests/Quizzes: 25%; Class work: 25%; Participation/Seminar: 10%;
Homework: 15%; Projects/Essays: 25% Note: no score will be entered into the grade book that is less than 50%. Comments will be added if an assignment is not submitted.
Essays: Students write essays during Units 3-8. Much of this writing will be completed in school.
National History Day: All students participate in NHD each year. Our school’s NHD
Fair is scheduled for January 13 th . Students will work in school on this project every
Thursday and are to bring their NHD binder to class and needed materials to facilitate this work. Successful projects require parent support and time at home to complete.
More details about NHD are online at www.nhd.org
and will be offered in class.
Service Learning: Service learning activities will be incorporated throughout the year to help fulfill the 75 hours of service learning requirement for high school graduation.
Please submit the Educational Walks Field Trip Form within the first week of school to participate.
Coach Class: Extra help is offered before school from 7:45 – 8:15 am or during lunch.
A pass is required to enter the building prior to 8:15 am. Passes are available upon request during class. Come with a packed lunch from home to participate during the coach class offered from 1:25 – 1:55 pm.
Parent Conferences: 20 minute meetings with the core subject teachers are available on
Thursdays from 2
– 3 pm (scheduled with the house office: 410-396-6416). Meetings are rescheduled if parents are more than 10 minutes late.
Contact Information: My email address is sfwilliamson@bcps.k12.md.us
.
My cell phone number is 703-395-9654. Please contact me with any questions or concerns .
Register with Classroom Parent to receive emailed newsletters about class. http://rpems.classroomparent.com/
Register with Parent Portal to monitor your child’s academic progress. https://pc.bcps.k12.md.us/parentportal/login.html