In sixth-grade social studies, we learn about ancient civilizations. We start with what we know about the earliest discoveries of mankind and work to the Renaissance. We have a class textbook and will also use activities from The Big History Project. Our days will include reading, writing, taking notes, videos, group activities, and projects. Grades will come from quizzes, tests, presentations, and completed projects.

Quarter One:

Origin Stories - What do various cultures believe about the people who first lived on our planet? We will divide into groups and study one belief and then present it to the class. Students will compare and contrast different stories.

Paleolithic Period - Students will learn about early diet, tools, how fire was used, and cave art.

Collective Learning - How did life change when people started teaching each other and building on what others did? Students will look at how domesticated animals affected humans and create a poster to "sell" the idea of owning an animal.

Neolithic Period - During the Neolithic time, agriculture became widespread and horses became popular. How have horses impacted your life?

River Valleys - The first four great cities were Mesopotamia, the Indus River Valley, Ancient China, and Egypt. These cultures will be compared and contrasted. Projects and writing assignments will be completed with each of these civilizations.

Quarter Two:

This quarter we will focus on the GRAPES of ancient civilizations. Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics, Social Structure.

Civilizations Studied: Egypt, India, and China.

November 9-10 are reserved for our district assessment. This will be an in-class assessment. Students will be given several documents to analyze and then use those documents to answer a question. Students need to make sure to come to school with fully charged Chromebooks as all work will be completed on SchoolCity. 

Quarter Three:

Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. We will be learning about what makes them unique and what they have contributed to what we do and have today. We will end this unit by trying to figure out why Rome fell.