Grade 6 Social Studies Understandings  

1. All civilizations go through the same life cycle/pattern with a rise, a peak (e.g., Golden Age), and a decline.

2. The development of civilization is affected by geography.

3. Political boundaries change over time.

4. Surplus leads to the development of civilizations.

5. Goods and services are produced or acquired in various ways in response to demands.

6. Many variables affect economy.

7. Present cultures have their origins in the past.

8. The values of groups are reflected in their traditions, ceremonies, rituals, and belief systems.

9. Through interdependence and interaction, civilizations influence each other’s culture.

10. Across time, technological innovations impact people, places, and regions.

11. Social stratification is a product of civilization.

12. Civilizations and cultures can be explored through the arts and sciences, key documents, and other important artifacts.

13. Human rights and social order are influenced by complex institutions.

Geography                                 

Know

          Terms

·        5 Themes of Geography

o       Absolute location

o       Relative location

o       Place

o       Human Environment Interaction

o       Movement

o       Region

·        latitude

·        longitude

·        Prime Meridian

·        Equator

·        Hemisphere

·        Climate

Places

·        Continents

·        Oceans

 Key Concepts

·        A geographic area can be defined using the 5 themes of geography.

 Key Understandings for this Unit

2

 

Do

·                                Locate and plot points using latitude/longitude – #3, #8

·                                Identify and locate 7 continents and 4 oceans

·                                Utilize the 5 themes of geography in the study of culture - #2, #3, #7

 

THEME	ECC
Change	Population (factors affecting)
Geography	Map skills Eastern Hemisphere Migration of people leads to cultural diffusion Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economic	Production of goods and services Colonization (use of resources) Availability of resources
Culture	Occupations and trade
Interdependence	Trade and mercantilism (goods and ideas)

 

 Early Man                                

 Know

          Terms

·        Hunters/gatherers

·        Producers/raisers

·        Migrate

·        Bands

·        Archaeology

·        Anthropology

·        Artifact

·        Prehistory

·        Surplus

·        Specialization

·        Permanent settlements

·        Population

·        Agriculture

·        Domestication

       

Key Concepts

• Surplus of food lays the foundation for specialization

 

          Events

• Neolithic (Agricultural) Revolution
• Beginning of history

 

          Contributions

·        Stone tools

·        Metal tools

·        Development of language

 

Key Understandings for this Unit

4, 5, 10, 11, 12

  

Do

·                                Compare/contrast Paleolithic and Neolithic Age with regard to:

o       Housing

o       Obtaining food

o       Foods consumed

o       Tools

o       Religion

o       Art

o       Government - #3, #5, #6 (PT), #7

●   Identify the cause and effects of the Neolithic (Agricultural) Revolution - #3, #5, #7

     

THEME	ECC
Change	·                    Early people, Early River Civilizations, Neolithic     Revolution ·                              Population
Geography	·      Eastern Hemisphere ·      Migration of people leads to cultural diffusion ·      Environmental impact on civilization ·      Natural resources
Economics	·      Agricultural economy ·      Production of goods and services ·      Economic systems ·      Availability or resources
Cultural	·      Writing systems ·      Religions and other belief systems

 

ANCIENT RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS

 

Mesopotamia                           

 Know

Terms

·        City-states

·        Artisans

·        Ziggurat

·        Scribe

·        Priest-kings

·        Empire

·        Culture

·        Civilization

·        Reform

·        Reign

·        Priests

·        Polytheism

·        Specialization

·        Golden Age

      Places

·        Mesopotamia (Present-day Iraq)

·        Sumer

·        Ur

·        Babylon

·        Tigris River

·        Euphrates River

·        Fertile Crescent

      People

·        Hammurabi

Key Concepts

·        All civilizations share the same five characteristics

·        Sumer = first known civilization

·        Lack of natural resources led to the need for trade    

     Contributions

·        Cuneiform writing

·        The wheel

·        The plow

·        The sailboat

·        Number system based on 60

·        Irrigation

·        Canals

·        1^st written code of law = Hammurabi’s Code 

 

Key Understandings for this Unit

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13

 

Do

• Identify and label Fertile Crescent on a map 
• Describe the characteristics of a city-state - #3, #5, #7
• Describe Mesopotamia using the five themes of geography - #3, #5, #7
• Explain how one Mesopotamian city-state could be considered a civilization using the five characteristics of civilization - #2, #3, #5, #7
• Interpret the laws from Hammurabi’s Code - #1, #3, #4, #7
• Represent the life cycle of the Mesopotamian Empire (Rise, Golden Age, Decline) - #5, #6, #7

  

THEME	ECC
Change	Early people, Early River Civilizations Political Societal Population (factors affecting)
Geography	Map skills Eastern Hemisphere (regions of) Migration of people leads to cultural diffusion Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economics	Agricultural economy Colonization (use of resources) Production of goods & services Economic systems Availability of resources
Political Systems & Government	Change based on needs Development of law & authority Values affecting human rights
Culture	Writing systems Arts & science Occupations & trade Education Religions & other belief systems
Interdependence	Trade and mercantilism
Science & Technology	Technological advances led to more complex civilizations Positive and negative effects of people, places, and regions Revolution’s affect on society Modern technology

 

Ancient Egypt                          

 

Know

Terms

·        shadoof

·        pharaoh

·        pyramid

·        embalming

·        mummy

·        hieroglyphics

·        papyrus

·        Book of the Dead

·        polytheism

·        Rosetta Stone

·        delta

·        cataracts

·        Old/middle/new kingdoms

·        cartouche

·        canopic jars

·        sarcophogus

·        desert

         

People

• Menes/ Narmer
• Hatshepsut
• Amenhotep IV/Ahkenaten
• Hyksos
• Tut
• Howard Carter
• Sphinx
• Various Gods

 Places

• Nile River
• Sahara desert
• Valley of the Kings
• Giza
• Upper/ Lower Egypt
• Mediterranean Sea

Contributions

• Medicine
• Math – geometry
• Technology – pyramids, irrigation

Key Concepts

• Egypt is a river civilization
• Nile flows south to north
• Geography (cataracts, deserts) provide protection
• Reasons for change from one kingdom to the next

          

Key Understandings for this Unit

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  

Do

·        Identify and label major geographic features of Egypt

·        Compare/Contrast the three kingdoms of Ancient Egypt -#3, #5, #6, #7

·        Describe the social class structure of Ancient Egypt (using pyramid format) - #3, #4, #5, #7

·        Describe Ancient Egypt using the five the themes of geography - #3, #5, #7

·        Describe Ancient Egypt using the five characteristics of civilization - #2, #3, #5, #7

·        Explain how religion influenced Ancient Egyptian life - #3, #5, #7

 

THEME	ECC
Change	Early River Civilizations Political Societal Population
Geography	Map skills Eastern Hemisphere Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economics	Agricultural economy Colonization (use of resources) Production of goods & services Economic systems Diversity in standard of living Availability of resources
Political Systems & Government	Change based on needs Development of laws and authority Values affecting human rights Governments of Eastern Hemisphere
Culture	Writing systems Arts & science Occupations & trade Education Philosophy Values reflected in traditions, ceremonies & rituals Religions
Interdependence	Economic network of global community Trade & mercantilism (goods & services)
Science & Technology	Technology advances led to more complex civilizations Positive & negative effects of people, places, and region Modern technology

 

Ancient China                           

 

Know

Terms

·        dynasty

·        extended family

·        monsoon

·        dikes/terracing

·        China’s Sorrow

·        Civil Service System

·        terra cotta army

·        calligraphy

·        oracle bones       

People

• Confucius
• Shih Huang Ti
• Han Dynasty
• Shang Dynasty

Places

• Great Wall
• Silk Road
• Yellow River—Huang He
• Himalayas
• Gobi Desert
• Asia

Contributions

• Astronomy
  • mapmaking
  • compass
• Art
  • porcelain
  • silk weaving
  • jade carving
  • bronze working
  • poetry
• Medicine
  • acupuncture
  • herbal remedies
  • anesthetics
• Architecture
  • pagoda
• Technology
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Seismograph
  • abacus

Key Concepts

• Physical geography affected China’s growth
• The family structure influenced the development of society
• The Silk Road benefitted Chinese civilization
• The Shang Dynasty developed the first civilization in China
• Shi Huang Ti united China through strong, harsh rule
• Confucius’s goal was order in society

 

Key Understandings for this Unit

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

  

Do

·        Identify and label major geographic features of China

·        Describe Ancient China using the five themes of geography - #3, #5, #7

·        Describe Ancient China using the five characteristics of civilization - #2, #3, #5, #7

·        Plan a trip on the Silk Road—describe route taken, obstacles faced and overcome, items that would be traded and with whom - #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, #8

·        Design a silk robe - #7

·        Field trip to Dragon Buffet—discuss significance of dragons and food - #1, #5, #7

·        Hold Chinese New Year celebration - #1, #2, #4, #5, #6, #7

·        Create a Ancient China foldable (to help students take organized notes) #2, #3, #5, #7

  

THEME	ECC
Change	Early River Civilizations Political Societal Population
Geography	Map skills Eastern Hemisphere (regions of) Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economics	Agricultural economy Colonization Production of goods & services Economic systems Diversity in standard of living Availability of resources
Political Systems & Government	Development of laws and authority Values affecting human rights
Culture	Writing systems Arts & science Occupations & trade Philosophy Values reflected in traditions, ceremonies & rituals Religion
Interdependence	Economic network of global community Trade & mercantilism (goods & services)
Science & Technology	Technology advances led to more complex civilizations

 

Ancient India                    

 

Know

Terms

·        planned communities

·        citadel

·        sanitation system

·        subcontinent

·        peninsula

·        granary

·        Hinduism

·        Buddhism

·        reincarnation

·        sari

·        sanskrit

·        castes

·        Vedas

·        monsoon

·        Varnas   

People

• Harappans
• Aryans
• Outcasts (untouchables)
• Brahman
• Buddha

Places

• Bay of Bengal
• Arabian Sea
• Hindu Kush
• Indus River
• Ganges River
• Indian Ocean
• Himalayan Mts.
• Mohenjo Daro
• Harappa

Contributions

• Art
  • Mendhi
  • Lapis lazuli
• Medicine
• Astronomy
• Math
  • First to use “zero”
  • decimal system
• Architecture
  • Grid-like streets

       

Key Concepts

• Physical geography affected India’s growth
• Social Order was determined by the caste system which affected the way of life and still does
• Hinduism and Buddhism were developed in India
• The only written documents were the Vedas containing religious hymns, poems, and stories of life during early Indus times reflecting their beliefs and customs

 

Key Understandings for this Unit

1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

 

Do

·        Identify and label major geographic features of India

·        Construct a social ladder - #5, #7

·        Describe Ancient India using the five themes of geography - #3, #5, #7

·        Describe Ancient India using the five characteristics of civilization - #2, #3, #5, #7

·        Complete chart on “What I’ve discovered about the Indus River Valley” - #2, #3, #5, #7

·        Design a planned community resembling Harappa or Mohenjo Daro - #2, #3, #5, #6, #7

·        Create a seal - #7

·        Create Mendhi Art patterns on paper or using henna - #7

·        Design clothing - #7

·        Cultural presentation on food, dance, and culture - #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7

·        Create a Ancient India foldable (to help students take organized notes) - #2, #3, #5, #7

  

THEME	ECC
Change	Early River Civilizations Societal Political Population
Geography	Map skills Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economics	Agricultural economy Colonization Production of goods and services Diversity in standard of living Availability of resources
Political Systems & Government	Values affecting human rights
Culture	Writing system Arts, math, literature Occupations and trade Education Philosophy Values reflected in traditions, ceremonies, rituals Religion
Interdependence	Economic network of global community Trade and mercantilism
Science & Technology	Technology advances led to more complex civilizations

Ancient Greece                                         

Know

           Terms

agora	triremes
citizenship	aristocrats
helots	polis
acropolis	oligarchy
monarchy	democracy
despot	tyranny
aristocracy

         

Places

Asia Minor	Macedonia
Sparta and Athens	Aegean and Mediterranean Seas
Mt. Olympus	Acropolis
Troy

People

Xerxes	Socrates
Plato	Aristotle
Pericles	Philip II
Alexander the Great	Hippocrates

Events

Trojan War	Persian War
Peloponnesian War

 Contributions

• Advancements in math and science
  • Scientific method
  • Hippocratic Oath
  • Pythagorean Theorem
• Greek Theatre
• Art/Architecture (Columns)
• Philosophy
• Government
• Sports

 

Key Concepts

• Greece’s geographic features greatly impacted its economy, culture, and political structure.
• Contributions from the Golden Age of Ancient Greece can be seen in today’s society (e.g., democracy, Olympics)
• Differences that existed between the two great city-states—Athens and Sparta—led to the Peloponnesian War.
• The campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great allowed Ancient Greece’s culture to expand and blend with other cultures.
• Greece was the birthplace of democracy.

 

Key Understandings for this Unit

 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

  

Do 

• Create a time line of Greek civilization ending with the Peloponnesian War- #3, #5, #7, #8  
• Compare and contrast the Ancient Olympic Games with Modern Games - #3, #5, #6, #7
• Compare and contrast Greek Democracy and Modern Democracy - #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
• Write a creative story written in the style of a myth - #2, #3, #5, #7
• Read the story of Alexander and His Horse - #2, #5, #6, #7
• Debate the pros and cons of the life styles of Sparta and Athens - #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
• Draw architectural columns: Doric, Ionian, Corinthian - #7, #8
• Create a replica of the Parthenon - #2, #7, #8
• Create a replica of a Greek urn – drawing or clay - #2, #7, #8
• Create a collage of the symbolism of Greek gods and goddesses in today’s culture - #2, #7, #8

      

THEME	ECC
Change	Political Societal
Geography	Map skills Migration of people leads to cultural diffusion Environmental impact on civilization Natural resources
Economics	Agricultural economy Colonization (use of resources) Production of goods & services Economic systems Diversity in standard of living Availability of resources
Political Systems & Government	Change based on needs Values affecting human rights Governments of Eastern Hemisphere
Culture	Arts & sciences Occupations & trade Education Philosophy Values reflected in traditions, ceremonies Religions and other belief systems Writing systems
Science & Technology	Technology advances led to more complex civilization Modern technology Positive and negative effects on people, places and regions

 

Ancient Rome                                                    

Know

          Terms

·        Pax Romana

·        Legionaries

·        Dictator

·        Triumvirate

·        Empire                  

·        Republic

·        Monarchy

·        Census

·        Tariff

·        Twelve Tables

·        Inflation

·        Barter

          People

·        Augustus

·        Constantine

·        Julius Caesar

·        Hannibal

·        Gladiators

·        Senate

·        Plebeian

·        Patrician

·        Consuls

·        Emperor

Places

·        Tiber River

·        Adriatic Sea

·        Po River

·        Rome

·        Carthage 

·        Sicily

·        Apennines Mtns.

·        Alps

·        Coliseum

·        Circus Maximus

Events

·        Punic Wars

·        Assassination of Caesar 

Contributions

·        Roman alphabet/ numerals

·        Architecture – domes, arches, aqueducts, roads

·        Julian Calendar

·        Standardized laws

·        Roman baths 

Key Concepts

• There were political, economic, and foreign reasons for the fall of Rome.
• The Roman Republic is the basis of the structure of the U.S. government.
• Augustus brought about the Pax Romana, which kicked off Rome’s Golden Age.
• As a result of the Punic Wars, Rome became the leading power of the Mediterranean world.
• Contributions of Ancient Rome can be seen in today’s society.