Radnor Middle School Course Overview 6th Grade Social Studies I. Course Description The Radnor Middle School sixth grade survey course traces the development of ancient civilizations and examines modern Africa. Each unit will study important elements of a civilization, including culture, religion, geographic features, and government. Analysis of the history and legacy of each civilization will complete the study of each unit. II. Resources, Materials , Equipment Textbooks • The Ancient World (Publisher: Prentice Hall) • Africa (Publisher: Prentice Hall) Other Resources • Videos and movies • Various Internet websites III. Course Goals, Objectives (Essential Questions, Enduring Understandings) Essential Questions • How did physical geography affect the growth of ancient civilizations? • What historical accomplishments is each civilization known for? • What legacies have been left by cultures of the past? • How did ancient civilizations develop government? • How did ancient civilizations develop economic systems? Enduring Understandings • Physical geography critically impacts the development of civilizations past and present. • Legacies of the past continue to shape who and what we are today. • People develop governments based on need. • Economic systems develop as a result of the production of goods and services. IV. Units of Study (Summary Outline) A. Introduction to Ancient Civilization 1. Geography and History 2. Prehistory 3. Skills Activity: Timelines: BC/AD versus BCE/CE B. Fertile Crescent / Mesopotamia 1. Land Between Two Rivers Modified: 4/1/2009 2. Babylonia and Assyria 3. The Legacy of Mesopotamia 4. Mediterranean Civilizations 5. Judaism 6. Skills Activity: Identifying Central Issues C. Egypt 1. The Geography of the Nile 2. Egypt’s Powerful Kings and Queens 3. Egyptian Religion 4. The Culture of the Ancient Egyptians 5. The resource‐Rich Cultures of Nubia 6. Skills Activity: Reading Route Maps D. India 1. The Indus and Ganges River Valleys 2. The Beginnings of Hinduism 3. The Beginnings of Buddhism 4. The Golden Age of Maurya India 5. Skills Activity: Reading Tables E. China 1. The Geography of China’s River Valleys 2. Confucius and His Teachings 3. Strong Rulers Unite Warring Kingdoms 4. Achievements of Ancient China 5. Skills Activity: Organizing Information F. Greece 1. The Rise of Greek Civilization 2. Greek Religion, Philosophy, and Literature 3. Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks 4. Athens and Sparta: Two Cities in Conflict 5. The Spread of Greek Culture 6. Skills Activity: Drawing Conclusions G. Rome 1. The Roman Republic 2. The Roman Empire 3. Daily Life Among the Romans 4. A New Religion: Christianity 5. The Fall of Rome 6. Skills Activity: Reading Actively Modified: 4/1/2009 H. Africa: Physical Geography 1. Land and Water 2. Climate and Vegetation 3. Natural Resources 4. Africa’s First People 5. Kingdoms and Empires 6. The Conquest of Africa 7. Independence and Its Challenges 8. Issues for Africa Today 9. Skills Activities: Interpreting Diagrams, Recognizing Bias V. Assessments • Projects: Comparison chart of ancient civilizations, time line, etc. • Formative Assessment • Written Tests • Section Quizzes • Map work of ancient civilizations • Interpretation and analysis of diagrams IV. Units of Study (Summary Outline) I.
Introduction to Ancient Civilization Prehistory ™ The Beginnings of Civilization Using a Time line: BC/AD versus BCE/CE ™ Fertile Crescent / Mesopotamia Land Between Two Rivers Babylonia and Assyria The Legacy of Mesopotamia Mediterranean Civilizations Judaism Skill Activity‐ Identifying Central Issues 7. Egypt The Geography of the Nile Egypt’s Powerful Kings and Queens Egyptian religion The Cultures of the Ancient Egyptians The Resource‐Rich Cultures of Nubia Modified: 4/1/2009 Skills Activity‐ Reading Route Maps 8. India 9. China 10. Greece 11. Rome 12. Africa V. Assessments • Projects: Comparison chart of ancient civilizations, time line, etc. • Formative Assessment • Written Tests • Section Quizzes • Map work of ancient civilizations • Interpretation and analysis of diagrams Modified: 4/1/2009