PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PLANNED COURSE CURRICULUM GUIDE
Social Studies
GRADE 6
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND INTENT:
Ancient World History and Geography
Ancient World History provides the underlying framework for studying the world
that we live in today. The course of study takes an interdisciplinary approach by
applying the standards for both history and geography to meet the National
Standards. The sixth grade social studies curriculum examines the historical,
cultural, physical, and political features of Africa, Europe, and Asia. Map skills will
be reinforced, historical events, and geographic terms will be studied.
II.
INSTRUCTIONAL TIME:
Class Periods: Daily
Length of Class Periods (minutes):35
Length of Course: 180 days
Unit of Credit:
Updated: June 2015
COURSE: Social Studies
STRAND: Geography/History
GRADE(S): Six
TIME FRAME: 30 Days
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
8.4.6.A: Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals
and groups to world history.
7.1.6.A: Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret
information about people, places, and environment.
7.1.6.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human
features.
7.2.6.A: Describe the characteristics of places and regions.
7.2.6.B: Describe the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth’s surface.
7.3.6.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following
criteria:
Population
Culture
Settlement
Economic activities
Political activities
7.4.6.A: Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within
regions.
7.4.6.B: Describe and explain the effects of people on the physical systems within
regions.
5.2.6.B: Explain how citizens resolve conflicts in society and government.
5.4.6.A: Identify how countries have varying interests.
RESOURCES











Course text book
Text book resources
Atlas
Wall maps
Electronic Maps
Globes
Teacher generated resources
DVD/VCR, TV, classroom computer, LCD projector, Smart board
Internet resources
Library resources
Newspaper internet current event articles
OBJECTIVES
The learner will gain a historical perspective, describe the cultural and physical
geographic features, and identify the economic activities in the region of the Middle
East.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT






Describe location of the first civilizations of the Middle East and compare it to the
region today.
Describe historical importance of the contributions of Hammurabi and Sargon.
Identify the human and geographic characteristics of the Middle East.
Identify the economic evolution of the Middle East.
Describe United States involvement in the Middle East in modern times.
Discuss and analyze the current events and political environment in the present day
Middle East.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES







Make use of technology to expand classroom instruction.
Utilize wall maps, globes and desk atlases, and electronic maps to show location.
Mapping activities such as note taking and graphic organizers to identify key
concepts.
Create a bulletin board showing examples of the five themes of geography in
relationship to the area being studied.
Actively read aloud text material.
Incorporate Reading Apprenticeship activities such as "Talking to the Text" and
"Word Walls".
Incorporate additional practice handouts.
ASSESSMENTS

Diagnostic:
 Pretest students prior knowledge
 K/W/L chart
 Teachers guided questions

Formative:
 Continue K/W/L chart
 Community circle
 Quizzes, class work, homework
 Geo journal


Map project
Summative:
 Portfolios
 Complete K/W/L
 Objective format test
 Subjective format test
 Notebook activity
 Student centered project
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Re-teaching activities
 Student generated study materials such as flash cards and study guides.
 Library videos
Extensions:
 Read multiple articles to support key concepts.
 Make use of teacher classroom resources.
 Students create user friendly word search/crossword puzzle, reports and current
event summaries.
COURSE: Social Studies
STRAND: Geography/History
GRADE(S): Six
TIME FRAME: 40 Days
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
8.4.6.A: Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals
and groups to world history.
7.1.5.A: Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret
information about people, places, and environment.
7.1.5.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human
features.
7.2.6.A: Describe the characteristics of places and regions.
7.2.6.B: Describe the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth’s surface.
7.3.6.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following
criteria:
Population
Culture
Settlement
Economic activities
Political activities
7.4.6.A: Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within
regions.
7.4.6.B: Describe and explain the effects of people on the physical systems within
regions.
5.4.6.A: Identify how countries have varying interests.
RESOURCES











Course text book
Text book resources
Atlas
Wall maps
Electronic Maps
Globes
Teacher generated resources
DVD/VCR, TV, classroom computer, LCD projector, Smart board
Internet resources
Library resources
Newspaper internet current event articles
OBJECTIVES
The learner will apply the five themes of geography to identify economic activities, gain
a historical perspective, and understand basic cultural influences of the Continent of
Africa.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT









Describe location of the Egyptian civilization and compare it to the region today.
Describe historical importance of the contributions of Ancient Egyptian rulers.
Identify the major aspects of Egyptian life.
Name the important contributions of Ancient Egyptians to the modern world.
Identify human characteristics of Africa.
Identify the economic evolution Africa.
Identify the creation of the countries of Africa.
Explain the current economic status of Africa.
Discuss and analyze the current events and political environment of present day
Africa
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES







Make use of technology to expand classroom instruction.
Utilize wall maps, globes and desk atlases, and electronic maps to show location.
Mapping activities such as note taking and graphic organizers to identify key
concepts.
Create a bulletin board showing examples of the five themes of geography in
relationship to the area being studied.
Actively read aloud text material.
Incorporate Reading Apprenticeship activities such as "Talking to the Text" and
"Word Walls".
Incorporate additional practice handouts.
ASSESSMENTS

Diagnostic:
 Pretest students prior knowledge
 K/W/L chart
 Teachers guided questions

Formative:
 Continue K/W/L chart





Community circle
Quizzes, class work, homework
Geo journal
Map project
Summative:
 Portfolios
 Complete K/W/L
 Objective format test
 Subjective format test
 Notebook activity
 Student centered project
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Re-teaching activities
 Student generated study materials such as flash cards and study guides
 Library videos
Extensions:
 Read multiple articles to support key concepts.
 Make use of teacher classroom resources.
 Students create user friendly word search/crossword puzzle, reports and current
event summaries.
COURSE: Social Studies
STRAND: Geography/History
GRADE(S): Six
TIME FRAME: 40 Days
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
8.4.6.A: Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals
and groups to world history.
7.1.5.A: Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret
information about people, places, and environment.
7.1.5.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human
features.
7.2.6.A: Describe the characteristics of places and regions.
7.2.6.B: Describe the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth’s surface.
7.3.6.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following
criteria:
Population
Culture
Settlement
Economic activities
Political activities
7.4.6.A: Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within
regions.
7.4.6.B: Describe and explain the effects of people on the physical systems within
regions.
5.1.6.B: Compare and contrast a direct democracy with a republican form of government.
5.4.6.A: Identify how countries have varying interests.
RESOURCES











Course text book
Text book resources
Atlas
Wall maps
Electronic Maps
Globes
Teacher generated resources
DVD/VCR, TV, classroom computer, LCD projector, Smart board
Internet resources
Library resources
Newspaper internet current event articles
OBJECTIVES
The learner will gain a historical perspective, describe the cultural and physical
geographic features, and identify the economic activities on the Continent of Europe.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT








Identify and human and geographic characteristics of Europe.
Identify the major aspects of Greek and Roman life.
List the factors that led to the rise of Christianity including the Protestant
Reformation.
Describe the hierarchy of the feudal system.
Explain the causes and effects of the Crusades.
Name and describe the important figures that influenced history during the Middle
Ages.
Cite the economic challenges faced by European countries today.
Discuss and analyze the current events and political environment in the present day
Europe.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES







Make use of technology to expand classroom instruction.
Utilize wall maps, globes and desk atlases, and electronic maps to show location.
Mapping activities such as note taking and graphic organizers to identify key
concepts.
Create a bulletin board showing examples of the five themes of geography in
relationship to the area being studied.
Actively read aloud text material.
Incorporate Reading Apprenticeship activities such as "Talking to the Text" and
"Word Walls".
Incorporate additional practice handouts.
ASSESSMENTS

Diagnostic:
 Pretest students prior knowledge
 K/W/L chart
 Teachers guided questions

Formative:
 Continue K/W/L chart
 Community circle
 Quizzes, class work, homework
 Geo journal
 Map project

Summative:
 Portfolios
 Complete K/W/L
 Objective format test
 Subjective format test
 Notebook activity
 Student centered project
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Re-teaching activities
 Student generated study materials such as flash cards and study guides
 Library videos
Extensions:
 Read multiple articles to support key concepts.
 Make use of teacher classroom resources.
 Students create user friendly word search/crossword puzzle, reports and current
event summaries.
COURSE: Social Studies
STRAND: Geography/History
GRADE(S): Six
TIME FRAME: 40 Days
PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS
8.4.6.A: Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals
and groups to world history.
7.1.5.A: Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret
information about people, places, and environment.
7.1.5.B: Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human
features.
7.2.6.A: Describe the characteristics of places and regions.
7.2.6.B: Describe the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth’s surface.
7.3.6.A: Identify the human characteristics of places and regions using the following
criteria:
Population
Culture
Settlement
Economic activities
Political activities
7.4.6.A: Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within
regions.
7.4.6.B: Describe and explain the effects of people on the physical systems within
regions.
5.4.6.A: Identify how countries have varying interests.
5.2.6.B: Explain how citizens resolve conflicts in society and government.
RESOURCES






Course text book
Text book resources
Atlas
Wall maps
Electronic Maps
Globes





Teacher generated resources
DVD/VCR, TV, classroom computer, LCD projector, Smart board
Internet resources
Library resources
Newspaper internet current event articles
OBJECTIVES
The learner will gain a historical perspective, describe the cultural and physical
geographic features, and identify the economic activities on the Continent of Asia
excluding the regions of the Middle East and Russia and the Independent Republics.
ESSENTIAL CONTENT





Describe locations and characteristics of the first civilizations of Asia and compare
them to the region today.
Describe historical importance of the contributions of Asian society.
Identify the economic evolution of Asian nations.
Explain the current economic status of Asia.
Discuss and analyze the current events and political environment in present day Asia.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES







Make use of technology to expand classroom instruction.
Utilize wall maps, globes and desk atlases, and electronic maps to show location.
Mapping activities such as note taking and graphic organizers to identify key
concepts.
Create a bulletin board showing examples of the five themes of geography in
relationship to the area being studied.
Actively read aloud text material.
Incorporate Reading Apprenticeship activities such as "Talking to the Text" and
"Word Walls".
Incorporate additional practice handouts.
ASSESSMENTS

Diagnostic:
 Pretest students prior knowledge
 K/W/L chart

Teachers guided questions

Formative:
 Continue K/W/L chart
 Community circle
 Quizzes, class work, homework
 Geo journal
 Map project

Summative:
 Portfolios
 Complete K/W/L
 Objective format test
 Subjective format test
 Notebook activity
 Student centered project
CORRECTIVES/EXTENSIONS
Correctives:
 Re-teaching activities
 Student generated study materials such as flash cards and study guides
 Library videos
Extensions:
 Read multiple articles to support key concepts.
 Make use of teacher classroom resources.
 Students create user friendly word search/crossword puzzle, reports and current
event summaries.