Syllabus /Cambridge
Sixth Grade Ancient Civilizations Honors
Instructor: K. Swartz
Subject: Ancient Civilizations Honors
E-mail: kim.swartz@marion.k12.fl.us
Sixth Grade Social Studies provides an in-depth study and analysis of the world’s ancient
civilizations. Students will learn about the people and events that helped shape the major
Western and non-Western civilizations of the world until the 15th century. This course will begin
with the early Stone Age and end with the Roman Empire, a time span that will cover nearly
7,000 years. Significant emphasis will be placed on the everyday lives, problems, and various
accomplishments of these civilizations as well as their role in developing social, economic, and
political structures, which connect the ancient and contemporary worlds.
Course Outline – Ancient Civilizations Honors
Quarter 1
 Chapter 1 – Early Humans and Societies – Uncovering the Past, Studying History,
Understanding through History, Studying and uses of Geography, Studying Places and People,
Studying Locations, How are Geography and History related.
 Chapter 2 – The Stone Age and Early Cultures – The First People, Studying Remains, Hominids
and Early Humans, Stone Age Tools, Hunters and Gatherers, Early human Migration, Migration
from Africa, Adaptation, Beginning of Agriculture, Farmers arise, Farming changes Society,
Impact of People.
 Chapter 3 – Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent – Geography of the Fertile Crescent, Rivers
and Civilizations, Growth of Civilizations, Farming and Cities, Rise of Sumer, Advancements in
Society, Religion and Society, Sumerian Achievements, Invention of Writing, Art of Sumer, Later
Peoples of the Fertile Crescent, Babylonia conquers Mesopotamia, Invasions of Mesopotamia,
The Phoenicians.
Quarter 2
 Chapter 4 – Ancient Egypt – Geography and Ancient Egypt, The Gift of the Nile, The Nile and
Civilizations, Kings Unify Egypt, The Old Kingdom, Early Egyptian Society, Religion and
Egyptian Life, The Pyramids, The Middle and New Kingdom, Egyptian Achievements, Egyptian
Writing, Temples, Tombs, and Art, Ancient Kush, The Geography of Early Nubia, The Decline of
the Kush Empire.
 Chapter 5 – Ancient India – Geography and Early India, Harappan Civilization, Aryan
Migrations, Origins of Hinduism, Division of Indian Society, Brahmanism, Development of
Hinduism, Origins of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gutama, The Teachings of Buddha, Buddhism
Spreads, Indian Empires, Mauryan Unifies India, Indian Achievements, Religious Art, Sanskrit
Literature.
 Chapter 6 – Ancient China - Geography and Early China, Beginnings of Civilization, China’s
First Dynasties, The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas, Confucius and Society, Daoism and Legalism,
The Qin Dynasty and Strong Government, The Han Dynasty, Han Achievements, Other Cultures,
Farming and Manufacturing, Trade Routes, Buddhism comes to China,
Quarter 3
 Chapter 7 – The Hebrews and Judaism – The Early Hebrews, Abraham and Moses lead Their
People, Kings Unite the Israelites, Invaders Conquer and Rule Israel, Women in Israelite Society,
Jewish Beliefs and Texts, List of Jewish Beliefs, Scrolls Reveal Past Beliefs, Judaism and Later
Cultures, Revolt Defeat and Migration, Cultural Traditions.
 Chapter 8 – Ancient Greece – Geography and the Early Greeks, Trading Cultures Develop,
Development of City-States, Government of Athens, Aristocrats and Tyrants Rule Greece,
Beginnings of Democracy in Athens, Greek Mythology and Literature.
 Chapter 9 – The Greek World – Greece and Persia, The Persian Empire Grows, The Persian
Wars, Sparta and Athens, Sparta’s Military, Athenian Intellect, Peloponnesian War, Alexander
the Great, Greek Achievements, Arts and Philosophy.
Quarter 4
 Chapter 10 – The Roman Republic – Geography and the Rise of Rome, Rome’s Legendary
Origins, The Early Republic, Government and Society, Written Laws, The Roman Forum, Growth
of Territory and Trade.
 Chapter 11 – Rome and Christianity – From Republic to Empire, The Downfall of the Republic,
Rome’s Accomplishments, Julius Caesar and Augustus, The Roman Empire and Religion,
Religious Tolerance and Conflict, Jesus of Nazareth, The Growth of Christianity, Fall of the
Roman Empire, A New Eastern Empire.
 Chapter 16 – The Early Americas – The Maya, Classic Age, Mayan Culture, Decline of the
Mayan Civilization, The Aztec, Life in the Empire, Cortes Conquers the Aztecs, The Incas, Life in
the Inca Empire, Pizarro Conquers the Incas.
Category/Percentages
Grading Scale:
Tests - 50%
Quizzes - 40%
Homework - 10%
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 – 79 = C
60 – 69 = D
0 – 59
= F
Grading
TESTS (Tests may be changed or altered at Instructor’s discretion)
 All chapter tests are graded in three parts.
 Multiple Choice section – 30 questions – 60%
 Essay – 1 question – 20%.
 Total for exam 100%
 * Only a pencil will be allowed on examinations
QUIZZES (Quizzes may be changed or altered at Instructor’s discretion)
 All section quizzes will consist of:
 5 matching or multiple choice questions – 100%
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Vocabulary quizzes will consist of :
5 matching definitions – 50%
5 Write out the definition from memory – 50%
Total for quiz 100%
* Only a pencil will be allowed on examinations

Students will be expected to spell correctly for all tests and quizzes given by the
instructor. Students will lose a total of 1 point for a word that contains an incorrect letter
or no capitalization. If a word contains more than one error, the question will be marked
as wrong.
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In addition, students must write in complete sentences where noted. Failure to complete
these directions will result in 10 points being deducted from the overall assignment
(including homework/classwork).
HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK
 Homework and Classwork – All work is given a grade based upon the number of
questions for a given assignment. Students are required to answer in complete sentences
on various assignments. Failure to complete these directions will result in 10 points
being deducted for no complete sentences. In the event that a student is absent, it is
his/her responsibility to ask the instructor for the assignment that was missed when
he/she returns to school. Please Note: Late work will not be accepted.
END OF YEAR PROJECTS/MINI PROJECTS
• The 6th Grade Ancient Civilization class will have 2 projects due throughout the
year. These projects will coincide with various civilizations and will be used to
enrich the content of the class. All information concerning the projects will be
handed out to the students usually 1-2 weeks before the project will begin.
NINE WEEKS EXAM
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Nine Weeks Exam – Two parts
40-50 Multiple Choice/Matching/Completion – 100%
ACADEMIC HONESTY
It is important to understand the difference between “helping” and “cheating” as well as when it
is permitted to work together. Students may copy individual entries from another
student’s planner when absent; however it is not permissible to copy another’s entries for
multiple weeks to cover for a neglected planner. Students may work together to complete
most homework and classwork assignments, however copying another’s answers is not
permissible. The general rule of thumb for assignments is that working together or
explaining how to do something is helping. Giving another student a “free ride” without
contributing to the assignment is cheating. Quizzes and tests are not cooperative
assignments, and it is cheating to assist another student with his/her quiz or test.
Daily School Supplies for
Mrs. Swartz’s Classroom.
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3.
A notebook or composition notebook is required.
All paper and pencils must be brought to class. You will not be supplied with them.
Students may only use #2 Pencils on quizzes and tests. Blue or Black pen may be used
on classwork or homework assignments, however it is not recommended.
Any additional items will be requested at a later date.
Mrs. Swartz’s Classroom Rules
1.
When I am talking, you are not talking
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7.
No candy, gum, food or drink in the classroom.
Students may use the bathroom with approved pass from teacher.
Come prepared with all necessary school supplies.
Raise your hand before sharpening all pencils, speaking to the teacher or class, and
getting out of seat.
Watch what you say in class—Think before you speak.
Keep your hands and feet to yourself.