Syllabus 6th Grade Social Studies
Unit 1: Beginnings of Human Society (30 Days)
Enduring Understanding:
Hunter/gatherers adapted to their physical environments using resources, the natural world, and technological advancements. The agricultural revolution led to an increase in population, specialization of labor, new forms of social organization, and the beginning of societies.
Essential Questions
1. How does physical and human geography contribute to the development of human history? 2. How did the agricultural revolution, domestication, innovation and technological advancements affect human society?
3. How did the development of written and unwritten language impact the development of human understanding, culture and social structure?
Unit 2: Emergence of Pastoral People- Mesopotamia (30 Days)
Enduring Understanding:
The first early river valley civilization, Mesopotamia, developed due to favorable geographic conditions. They created centralized systems of government and advanced societies.
Essential Questions
1. How did the geographical features of the various ancient Mesopotamian civilizations affect the development of settlements, social structures and trade networks?
2. How did technological advancements and religion lead to development of government, economic sustainability and class systems?
3. What were the lasting legacies of subsequent cultures along the Fertile Crescent?
Unit 3: Emergence of Pastoral People- Egypt (8 weeks)
Enduring Understanding:
The river valley civilization of Egypt developed along the Nile River. They created a centralized system of government and a technologically advanced society with an enduring legacy.
Essential Questions
1. How did the geographical features of ancient Egypt and Kush allow for the development of their respective civilizations and their downfall?
2. How did the development of religion, government, and economics affect society?
3. What are the lasting contributions made by the Egyptians?
Unit 4: Emergence of Pastoral People: India (30 days)
Enduring Understanding
The river valley civilization that developed along the Indus River created a mysterious civilization that is still being discovered and explored today and was home to two of the major religions.
Essential Questions
1. How did the geographical features allow for the development of ancient India civilization?
2. How did the evolution of religion impact social structure?
3. What were the long-lasting contributions of ancient India?
Unit 5: Emergence of Pastoral People- China (30 Days)
Enduring Understanding:
China is the oldest, continuous civilization in the world. Its cultural, political, philosophical, economic, and religious contributions impacted not only the ancient world, but today as well.
Essential Questions:
1. How did geography influence the development Chinese civilization and its development of political and social order?
2. What factors helped unified China throughout history?
Unit 6: Classical Civilization- Greece (40 Days)
Enduring Understanding:
Greece, considered a classical civilization, developed and expanded into an empire of unprecedented size and diversity. By creating a centralized government and promoting commerce, a common culture, and social values, it became a major force in the Mediterranean. Cultural exchange and diffusion dramatically increased, and enduring world religions emerged, during the era of this classical civilization. Though it declined as a result of internal weaknesses and external invasions, Greece left a lasting legacy.
Essential Questions:
1. How did Greece's geography and access to natural resources influence the development of economics, political structure and social hierarchy?
2. What were the key factors which led to the development of Athenian democracy and its influence on the US Constitution?
3. What was the lasting impact of Hellenism?