Download Grade 6 - Upper Moreland School District

Upper Moreland School District
Planned Course for Social Studies
Course:
World History – Pre-History to 1500 (Grade 6)
National Standards for Social Studies:
N.S. I Culture
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of culture and cultural diversity.
N.S. III People, Places, and Environments
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of people, places, and environments.
N.S. V Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions.
N.S. VI Power, Authority, and Governance
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and
governance.
N.S. VII Production, Distribution, and Consumption
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services.
N.S. IX Global Connections
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the
study of global connections and interdependence.
Course Description:
The Middle School Social Studies Program reinforces and builds on the skills and
practices learned in the elementary years. During the middle school years, students will
grow to be responsible citizens, accept and appreciate differences among people, and
learn effectively through “best practices.” The standards-based program integrates
history, geography, economics, civics and government.
The Sixth Grade Course is an introduction to the ancient civilizations of the past.
Students will first explore prehistory and early man. They will then explore the ancient
civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Early China, Rome, Medieval Africa, and
end with the Aztec and Inca Empires. Throughout the course, students will make
connections among the civilizations and make personal connections to their own lives.
May 2006 UMTSD
Specific and measurable objectives directly related to the academic standards to be
achieved by the students:
The specific objectives for this course are delineated in the Upper Moreland Township
School District Social Studies Scope and Sequence based on the standards set forth in
Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies published by the
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). Specific objectives are also listed in the
corresponding Pennsylvania State Standards for History, Geography, Economics, and
Government.
Content to be used to reach objectives:
In order to provide an integrated program to teach Social Studies, a variety of
instructional activities and materials will be utilized.
Materials:
World History Journey Across Time, the Early Ages. Glencoe, McGraw-Hill; ©
2007.
Glencoe ancillary materials
Maps and Globes
Teacher Created Materials
Supplementary reading and media materials
Artifacts
Web-based resources
Instructional Activities:
A standards-based social studies program requires the use of a variety of activities to
stimulate creative and critical thinking. Below is a list of some of those best practice
activities.
 Big6 Research Process
 Inquiry-based Learning
 Technology-centered activities
 Student-centered discussions
 Hands-on learning with manipulatives
 Student reflection/response journal
 Various reading strategies
 Study-skill strategies
 Use of multi-media resources
May 2006 UMTSD
Estimated instructional time to be devoted to achieving objectives:
36 weeks for 49 minutes daily. Each unit will be taught for approximately 5 weeks.
Procedure for measurement of student progress on the objective:
A variety of assessments will be used to determine student progress in social studies.
Reference Appendix B for list of assessments.
An explanation of how student grades will be determined:
Students will be evaluated in the areas of class work, homework, class participation,
projects, tests, quizzes, presentations. Various rubrics will be used according to
assignment objectives. A student’s grade is determined by taking the total points earned
and dividing by the total points possible. A minimum of seven assignments are
considered in determining a student’s grade. Classroom participation and homework
completion are also factored in.
May 2006 UMTSD