6th Grade Social Studies
First Quarter
2015-16
FIRST QUARTER
Map Skills
Essential Questions
 What are the map essentials and themes of geography?
 What are the differences between a physical, political and
historical map?
 How might the physical geography of a place, affect its human
geography?
Pre-History: Early Humans
Essential Questions
 What kind of clues can historians use to understand the origins
of modern humans?
 How might the characteristics of a civilization, provide clues to
historians and archaeologists?
 What are the time designations and abbreviations?
 How can the development of agriculture change a way of life?
Mesopotamia
Essential Questions
 What is the importance of the Tigris and Euphrates to the
Fertile Crescent?
 How did the people of early civilizations use innovation and
technology to meet personal and community needs?
 Why were the civilizations and empires of Mesopotamia
significant to the development of the culture?
SECOND QUARTER
Ancient Egypt
Essential Questions
 Explain the religious, social, and political structures of Egyptian
society.
 What is the importance of the major waterways to Upper and Lower
Egypt?
 Describe the important achievements of Egyptian civilization during
the Old, Middle and New Kingdom time periods.
Ancient China
Essential Questions
 How did the geographical features of China affect Chinese
civilizations and early Chinese culture?
 How did each dynasty’s belief system affect their impact on China’s
history?
 How have the inventions of the early Chinese affect our lives today?
Ancient India
Essential Questions
 How did the Caste System affect everyday life in India?
 What were the common practices and beliefs of Brahmanism and
Hinduism?
 Of what importance was the Himalayas and the major river systems
of India have on everyday life in India?
 What were the effects of the aesthetic and intellectual traditions in
India?
6th Grade Social Studies
First Quarter
2015-16
THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
Ancient Israel
Essential Questions
 What were the characteristics of the monotheistic religion of
the Israelites?
 How did the leadership of Kings Saul, David and Solomon, as
well as following leaders, affect Israel’s history as well as
their future?
 How did the roles of Abraham and Moses affect the history of
the Israelites?
 How did the geography of Israel and surrounding areas,
shape the culture of Ancient Israel?
World Religions
Essential Questions:
 What is the difference between polytheistic and monotheistic?
 How did the practices of Brahmanism evolve into Hinduism?
 How did the teachings of Buddha become a new religion that
spread through many countries?
 How did the emergence of Taoism, Confucianism, and Legalism
affect the ancient cultures of China?
 How did Judaism spread through other lands throughout
history?
 How did Judaism make way for the emergence of Christianity?
Ancient Greece
Essential Questions
 How did the geography of not only Greece, but also its sphere of
influence affect the culture and history of the Greeks?
 How did the development of the political structure affect Greek
life, and other cultures?
 How did the Peloponnesian War affect life in Greece?
 How has the development of Greek Mythology shaped not only
Greek culture but our own as well?
 Where has the major accomplishments of the ancient Greeks,
placed them in History?
Ancient Rome
Essential Questions
 How did the geography of Ancient Rome contribute to the shaping of
Roman society?
 How did the Roman mythical, historical, and political figures impact
Rome?
 How did the origins and characteristics of Christianity affect the
Roman Empire?
 In what ways have the Roman contributions shaped future cultures?
 What were the common characteristics of Roman mythology to
Greek mythology?
Multi-Cultural Unit:
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Memphis in May
Africa in April
Cinco de Mayo
Facing History
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See Facing History Curriculum
6th Grade Social Studies
First Quarter
2015-16
CULTURE (1.0): Culture encompasses similarities and differences among people, including their beliefs, knowledge, changes, values,
and traditions. Students will explore these
elements of society to develop an appreciation and respect for various human cultures.
ECONOMICS (2.0): Globalization of the economy, the explosion of population growth, technological changes and international
competition compel students to understand, both personally and globally, the production distribution, and consumption of goods.
Students will examine and analyze economic concepts such as basic needs versus wants, using money versus saving money, and policy
making versus decision making.
GEOGRAPHY (3.0): Geography enables the students to see, understand and appreciate the web of relationships between people, places,
and environments. Students will use the knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts within the six essential elements of
geography: world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society, and the uses of
geography.
GOVERNANCE and CIVICS (4.0): Governance establishes structures of power and authority in order to provide order and stability.
Civic efficacy requires understanding rights and responsibilities, ethical behavior, and the role of citizens within their community,
nation, and world.
HISTORY (5.0): History involves people, events, and issues. Students will evaluate evidence to develop comparative and casual analysis,
and to interpret primary sources. They will construct sound historical arguments and perspectives on which informed decisions in
contemporary life could be based.
INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, and INTERACTIONS (6.0): Personal development and identity are shaped by factors including culture,
groups and institutions. Central to this development are exploration, identification, and analysis of how individuals and groups work
independently and cooperatively.