CURRICULUM: 6TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
PLEASE NOTE: The 6th grade Social Studies curriculum is extensive: it begins with the
study of pre-history and ancient civilizations moves through the Middle Ages to Current
History. The focus of study is the Eastern Hemisphere; students will touch upon the
history and cultures of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Australia. This
is a general outline and subject to change; there may be additional or deleted projects. To
enhance the students’ appreciation and understanding of historical events or important
issues, when available the analysis of primary source materials will be interjected into
lessons. Most projects are coordinated with Ms. Zavocki’s Technology and / or Challenge
classes. Since the 6th grade curriculum focuses on the study of different world cultures,
the year culminates with the students using the knowledge they have gained about the
various elements that make up a culture to create their own unique culture.
The chapters range from two to five lessons, depending on its length, a chapter takes
approximately 1½ - 2½ weeks to cover. At the completion of each chapter the students
will be given a test on the content and concepts covered. There will be at least one essay
question on every test. When the subject area is related two shorter chapters are
combined and the test will be given on the material covered in both chapters.
Students will also take three map tests; Europe Africa and Asia. The students will be
required to know the name, location and capital city of the countries on the continents.
MATERIALS: EASTERN HEMISPHERE – Holt McDougal
The book will not be used in chronological order from Chapter 1 through Chapter 31
Students will be jumping between the book’s chapters; the information will be used to
reinforce the area of study being covered.
THE WORLD: PAST AND PRESENT EAST AND WEST – MacMillan/McGraw Hill
The format of this book will be followed. We are well aware that the book is rather old,
but to date another book has not been found that rivals its clear presentation of material to
the students. The EASTERN HEMISPHERE and SmartBoard are used to supplement any
information that may be lacking in THE WORLD
Various Primary Source materials (when available primary source
material will be used to enhance the area of study)
Historical Video materials (when available chapters are introduced with a
short video; this gives the students a preview of the material they will be
learning)
Projects will be assigned to enhance student learning in various areas of
study
FIRST TRIMESTER: (ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS / CHAPTERS 1 – 7)
Chapters 1 & 2 will be combined – the test will be on both chapters
Chapter 1: Studying the Earth
Define Geography
Identify landforms
Discover effect geography has on history
Examine the world’s climate zones
Determine the importance of resource
Chapter 2: Learning About Early People
Examine the elements of culture
Compare & contrast the Paleolithic & Neolithic eras
Assess the importance of farming
Project: Comparison of Paleolithic & Neolithic Ages
Chapter 3: Ancient Egypt
Examine the factors that allowed people to settle in ancient Egypt
Discover development of the ancient Egyptian civilization
Identify contributions the ancient Egyptians
Project: Students will work in groups to research & prepare a presentation on an aspect of
ancient Egypt. Research is to be done in the classroom; books & research materials will
be provided
Chapter 4: The Fertile Crescent
Locate Mesopotamia & Fertile Crescent
Compare & contrast factors of settlement to Egypt
Examine the development of Mesopotamian civilization, compare to Egypt
Discover the contributions of ancient Mesopotamia
Explore the roots & early history of Judaism
Project: Students will create a travel brochure for an ancient Mesopotamian city-state
Chapter 5: Ancient India & Ancient China
Locate the Indus River & Huang He River valley civilizations
Compare & contrast cultures to Egypt & Mesopotamia
Discover contributions of ancient India & China
This chapter may be skipped and taught later in the year when students study
South Asia/Indian Subcontinent and China
Chapter 6: Ancient Greece
Discover importance of the location & geography of ancient Greece
Compare & contrast development Greek civilization to Egypt, Mesopotamia
Account for differences
Examine the contributions of the ancient Greek culture
Project: Project: Ancient Greek Baseball Card – Students will report on a important
figure from ancient Greece using the format of a Baseball card – Oral presentation of
information
Chapter 7: Ancient Rome
Discover importance of the location & geography of ancient Rome
Examine factors that led to growth of Roman Empire
Identify the contributions of ancient Rome
Assess the causes & effects of Rome’s fall
Explore the roots & early history of Christianity
Project: Students will work in groups to research & prepare a presentation on an aspect of
ancient Egypt. Research is to be done in the classroom; books & research materials will
be provided
The Study of Rome usually begins in the First Trimester and extends into the Second
Trimester
SECOND TRIMESTER: (EUROPE & NORTH ASIA / CHAPTERS 8 -13)
Students will given a blank political map of Europe to complete when we begin the
Middle Ages, after the class completes Chapter 13 (Russia) they will take a Map Test of
Europe; they will be required to know the name, location & capital city for the countries
of Europe
Chapter 8: The Middle Ages
Describe the geography of Europe
Examine social structure & life during European Middle Ages
Discover the role of the church during Middle Ages
Assess the causes and effects of the Crusades
Project: Students will create a want-ad to hire a knight
Chapters 9 & 10 will be combined – the test will be on both chapters
Chapter 9: Renaissance
Examine the events that led to Renaissance
Discover the impact of the Renaissance on European life & the world
Identify the causes & effects of the Protestant Reformation
Chapter 10: Exploration & Discovery
Discover the causes & effects of European exploration
Identify explorers and areas of exploration
Assess the impact of exploration on Europe & the world
Explore the growth of modern science
Chapter 11: Industrial & French Revolutions
Examine the causes & effects of the Industrial Revolution
Assess the impact of the revolution on Europe & the world
Examine the causes & effects of the French Revolution
Chapter 12: Russia
Examine the impact of geography on the growth of Russia
Compare & contrast Russian & European cultures
Discover the causes & effects of the Russian Revolution
Chapter13: World Wars I & II, Cold War
Examine the causes & effects of World War I
Identify opposing forces
Examine the causes & effects of World War II
Identify opposing forces
Examine the causes & effects of the Cold War
Define Cold War
Identify opposing forces
MAP TEST: EUROPE
The study of the Middle East sometime begins in the Second Trimester and extends into
the Third Trimester
THIRD TRIMESTER: (CULTURES OF MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, ASIA,
AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA / CHAPTERS 14 – 22)
Project: Students will create a travel brochure for a country of Africa, Asia or Oceania
Create Your Own Culture Project: will be assigned in mid to late April – students will
work in groups to create their own unique culture
Students will given a blank political map of Africa to complete when we begin studying
the Middle East & Africa, after the class completes Chapter 17(Africa Today) they will
take a Map Test of Africa; they will be required to know the name, location & capital city
for the countries of Africa
Chapter 14 & 15 will be combined – the test will be on both chapters
Chapter 14: Middle East & North Africa
Examine the impact of geography on the development of the Middle Eastern
and North African cultures
Identify the influence of Islam on the Middle East
Discover the contributions of the Islamic empire
Chapter 15: Middle East & North Africa Today
Identify the Nations of the Middle East & North Africa
Discover the causes of conflict in region
Chapters 16 & 17 will be combined – the test will be on both chapters
Chapter 16: Sub-Saharan Africa
Examine the impact geography on the development of African cultures
Discover the contributions of salt & gold kingdoms
Chapter 17: Sub Sahara Africa Today
Discover the impact of imperialism (European control) on African culture
Examine the conflict Africa faces today
MAP TEST: AFRICA
Students will given a blank political map of Asia (including Middle East & North Asia)
to complete when we begin studying South Asia, after the class completes Chapter 21
(Southeast Asia) they will take a Map Test of Asia; they will be required to know the
name, location & capital city for the countries of Asia
Chapter 18: Southeast Asia – Indian Sub-continent
Chapter 5: ancient India may be taught at this time if skipped in first trimester
Examine the impact geography on the development cultures of region
Identify the countries of the region
Discover the impact of Hinduism & Buddhism on regions culture
Realize the contributions on the Indian empires
Discover the impact of imperialism (European control) on people of region
Examine the conflict the region faces today
Chapter 19: China
Chapter 5: ancient China may be taught at this time if skipped in first trimester
Examine the impact geography on the development the Chinese culture
Discover the contributions of the Chinese civilization
Compare & contrast culture to Western cultures
Discover the impact of imperialism (European control) on China
Assess China’s culture today
Chapter 20: Japan & Korea
Examine the impact geography on the development the Japanese & Korean
cultures
Discover the contributions of the Japanese & Korean civilizations
Compare & contrast cultures to Western cultures
Discover the impact of imperialism on Japan & Korea
Assess cultures of Japan & Korea tody
Chapter 21: Southeast Asia
Examine the impact geography on the development cultures of region
Identify the countries of the region
Discover the impact of Hinduism & Buddhism on regions culture
Discover the impact of imperialism (European control) on people of region
Examine the conflict the region faces today
MAP TEST: ASIA
Chapter 22: Australia & Oceania
Examine the impact geography on the development cultures of region
Identify the countries of the region
Presentations of Culture Project