th
2010-2011
Course Information
Instructor: Mrs. Gutierrez-Preciado
Course Descriptions/Objectives
Welcome to 6 th grade. This year you will explore the early societies of Mesopotamia and
Egypt, the ancient Hebrews, the empires and dynasties of ancient India and China, and the rise of civilizations in ancient Greece and Rome, with their many legacies for
Western Civilization. You will become an active participant, experiencing history through innovative teaching practices including dramatic role-playing, creative simulations, dynamic group projects, and writing from a historical perspective.
Course Objectives:
1.
Students place key events and people of the historical era they are studying in a chronological sequence and within a spatial context; they interpret time lines
2.
Students explain how the present is connected to the past, identifying both similarities and differences between the two, and how some things change over time and some things stay the same.
3.
Students judge the significance of the relative location of a place (e.g., proximity to a harbor, on trade routes) and analyze how relative advantages or disadvantages can change over time.
4.
Students summarize the key events of the era they are studying and explain the historical figures and events with fictionalized characters and events.
5.
Students summarize the key events of the era they are studying and explain the historical contexts of those events.
6.
Students identify the human and physical characteristics of the places they are studying and explain how those features form the unique character of those places.
IB Learners strive to be:
Inquirers that strive to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.
Knowledgeable: You will explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.
Thinkers: You will exercise initiatives in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems by making reasonable and good decisions.

Communicators: You will understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language. You will work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled: You will act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual and groups. You will take responsibility for your own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded: You will understand and appreciate your own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals. You will be accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and willing to grown from the experience.
Caring: You will show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. You have a personal commitment to service, and act to make positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk-taking: You will approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have eth independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. You are brave and articulate in defending your beliefs.
Reflective: You will give thoughtful consideration to your own learning and experience.
You are able to assess and understand your strengths and limitations in order to support you’re learning and personal development.
Course Outline/Schedule
A.
Investigating the Past (September) a.
Hunters and Gatherers b.
Beginning of civilizations c.
Culminating Activity= Archeological Report of an ancient tool
B.
Ancient Mesopotamia (October) a.
What is civilization? b.
Economic Interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives c.
Culminating Activity= Analyze the important factors of Ancient
Mesopotamia civilization and create your own civilization
C.
Ancient Egypt and Kush (October-November) a.
Economic interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives b.
Culminating Activity=Group Research Project of Ancient Egypt (each group had different topics)
D.
Ancient India (November –January) a.
Economic interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives b.
Culminating Activity=Compare and Contrast different religions

E.
Ancient China (January-February) a.
Economic interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives b.
Culminating Activity= Choose one of the Ancient Chinese Philosophies and create your won classroom using your favorite one
F.
Ancient Greece (March-April) a.
Economic interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives b.
Culminating Activity= Influences from Ancient Greece
G.
Roman Empire (May-June) a.
Economic interactions, political forces, religious/philosophical beliefs, and daily lives b.
Culminating Activity=Analyze the glory and the fall of the Roman Empire and what would you do if you were a Roman leader.
Texts and Resources
Textbook: History Alive The Ancient World
Workbook: History Alive The Ancient World
Methods of Assessment
Teacher designed standards-based quizzes and tests
Projects and group tasks
Teacher designed formative and summative assessments
Grading Policy and Rubrics:
A. In-class assignments/Homework ( 3 points each ) – 20% of the final grade
Rubric:
3 Points: Complete, neat, and followed directions
2 Points: Complete but does not have total understanding
1 Point: Incomplete
0 Points: No response
B. Participation- 10% of the final grade

C. Quizzes, Tests, Essays, and Projects 70% of the final grade
4
Essay/ Project Rubric

Excellent understanding of material

All ideas are clear and thorough

All ideas are logically organized

All statements are supported with details

Work shows excellent language skills

Strong understanding of material
3
2
1
0

Strong understanding of material

Ideas are clear

Most ideas are logically organized

Most statements are supported with details

Work shows strong language skills

Some understanding of material

Some ideas are logically organized

Some statements are supported with details

Work shows minimum language skills

Little or no understanding of material

Ideas are unclear

Ideas are not logically organized

Statements are not supported with details

Work shows little or no language skills

No attempt

E. Final Grading Scale
Final Grade = (total homework and in-class points x 0.20) + (total participation points x
0.10) + (total quizzes, tests, and project points x 0.70)
90 – 100%+ = A 80 – 89% = B 70 – 79% = C 60 – 69% = D 0 – 59% = F