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Mahtomedi Middle School
Sixth Grade Social Studies Syllabus
Mrs. Jennifer Ward
(651)407-2248
[email protected]
Welcome 6th Grade Parents and Students!
Unlocking the secrets of our past is the key to our future.
Course Description:
Sixth grade social studies curriculum will focus on the study of ancient civilizations. Throughout the year,
we spiral back to five essential questions:
1. How have the contributions of ancient civilizations influenced our lives today?
2. How have decisions and choices of the past influenced our lives today?
3. What ethical responsibilities do current generations have to respecting the values and beliefs of
ancient civilizations?
4. How have world religions impacted our lives as they developed and changed over time?
5. How do current world issues directly or indirectly affect our lives today?
Course Outline:
Early Humans
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How old is old?
Examine the changes and challenges in the development of early humans
Exploring the fossil record to understand our ancient relatives
Mesopotamia
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The discovery of agriculture, and its effect on civilization
The key role of geography in the development of civilization
Mesopotamian people: Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Hebrews, Phoenicians,
Persians, and Hittites
The rule of law, and the development of government
The development of written language
The concepts of religion (Judaism, Islam), myths, legends, and epics
Important inventions of the Mesopotamian people
Egypt
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The importance of the Nile River to Egyptian civilization
Class divisions of ancient Egyptian society
Important rulers of ancient Egyptian dynasties
The ancient Egyptian belief in an afterlife and the process of mummification
Importance of trade between Egypt, Kush, and neighboring empires
Ancient Egyptian folktales, legends, and mythology
Hieroglyphics: the ancient Egyptian alphabet
India
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Hinduism and Buddhism: comparing the teachings of two belief systems, which helped shape Indian
civilization and are still widely practiced today
Key physical geographical features of the Indian subcontinent: how these factors contributed to the
locations of early settlements in India
Several key leaders of India’s ruling dynasties
Family worship, festivals, plays, work, food, Sanskrit alphabet, mehndi, chess, art, architecture, music,
yoga, hastas, caste system, and sacred animals important to the culture of ancient and modern India
China
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Influence of geography on agriculture and population growth
Chinese written language and dialects
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Important rulers of ancient Chinese Dynasties
The findings of the explorer Marco Polo
Confucianism, Doaism, and Legalism tradition in thought and government
Chinese Inventions and "gifts to the west"
Interpreting ancient Chinese proverbs
The importance of trade: the silk road
Art, architecture, and folktales important to the ancient and modern Chinese culture
Greece
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The key role of geography in the development of Greece
Athenian democracy and it relationship to our own system of democracy
Ancient Greek culture and its roots in western culture
The growth of Athens and Sparta and the Persian Wars.
Greek and Roman mythology and its enduring theme in western civilizations
The origins of theater
The first Olympic Games and its continuing tradition
Art, and architectural styles
Rome
 The birth of the Roman Republic and transition to the Roman Empire
 The rise of Christianity and the impact on the Roman Empire
 Important people of the Roman times (Julius Caesar, Emperor Theodosuis, Diocletian, etc)
 Daily life in the Roman Empire
 The Fall of Rome and the Byzantine Empire
Course Evaluation: Based on a total point system. Project-based learning and problem-solving
group work are an excellent way to engage and motivate students to learn.
Students will be graded primarily on effort and quality of work produced.
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Participation in classroom discussions and debates
quizzes and tests
In-class and out-of-class assignments and projects
Journals
Current Events newspaper assignments
Current Events:
Students are required to read one article from a newspaper (NO magazines).
After reading the article, students will do a short, 10 point write up on the information presented in the
article. There are a total of four current events assignments per quarter.
Journals:
As the students enter the classroom, they will be required to write about the day’s topic in their designated
journal. A journal entry consists of the date, title, and 4-6 complete sentences of an answer. The journals
are collected twice per quarter; before mid-quarter and at the end of the quarter.
A
AB+
B
BC+
Sixth Grade Grading Scale
93-100%
C 73-77%
90-92%
C- 70-72%
88-89%
D+ 68-69%
83-87%
D 63-67%
80-82%
D- 60-62%
78-79%
F 59-Below
I look forward to a successful and memorable year teaching ancient civilizations and
getting to know your child this year!