6th Grade Social Studies

The sixth grade curriculum spans Ancient and Medieval Civilizations. Students explore the history of early civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas as well as the rise and fall of the Greek and Roman empires, and the feudal system of the Middle Ages.

Students become familiar with archaeology, geography, culture, religion and government so that they may make connections to the ideas that shaped the modern world. Contemporary cultural attitudes, regional differences, and political and economic systems are explored as a “means to an end.”

This course emphasizes organization of material through class notes, outlines, summaries, written assignments and projects. Students begin to understand that history “comes alive” when they are actively involved in their learning.

This motivation is directly connected to interactive activities such as internet research, “Interact with Art,” “Interactive Primary Source,” “Cooperative Learning,” and hands- on activities. Through these approaches, students make personal connections to the people, events, and issues that form that panorama of Global History!

SKILLS, CONCEPTS AND THEMES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES:

1) Provide a framework and methodology to study human culture
2) Problem solving and decision making
3) Use of geography to determine living patterns
4) History
5) Interdisciplinary connections
6) Analyze Primary Sources
7) Understand Global Interdependence
8) Make inferences
9) Values and Empathy
10) Current Events
11) Research Skills
12) Written and oral communication

INTERACT PROJECTS:

Ancient Greece

Students assume the roles of Ancient Greek figures.

They establish Greek identities and create authentic clothing, attend Greek school to explore the development of Greek civilization and its education, social classes and trading. Sixth graders debate controversial issues, build and design Greek temples, hold Olympic games; and have a chance to meet Socrates and Pericles. An interactive festival is held at the conclusion of the project in which students have an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned while also enjoying Greek delicacies.

Ancient Rome

Students join a clan, acquire Roman names, complete cooperative exercises on Roman daily life, build wooden structure, create maps for the expanding empire, prepare a timeline and play a “history mystery” game on the death of the empire. At the conclusion of the project, students partake in a festival celebrating Roman culture.