1. Exploring Our World- People, Places, and Cultures 6 th Grade Social Studies Curriculum

2. Units of Study – First Semester Units of Study – First Semester  Geography -Map and globe skills -Map and globe skills -Five themes of geography  Development of Early Cultures -Culture Traits -Sumerians  Ancient Egypt

3. Units of Study – Second Semester Units of Study – Second Semester  Asia -The Middle East *Afghanistan -Ancient and Modern China  Europe Ancient Greece Ancient Rome

4. Focus Points of each Culture  Significant Historical Events  Geographical Influences  Role of Religion  Emergence of Political Systems  Role of Economics

5. Articulation with 7 th grade  The 6th grade social studies curriculum is closely linked with the 7th grade social studies curriculum.  The 7th grade curriculum continues the world cultures with their studies of -Africa -Latin America -Europe.  The intention of this curriculum is to begin in the ancient period through modern times. –This will lay the foundation for similar studies in 7th grade.

6. Skills  Develop reading skills across the curriculum including vocabulary, comprehension, finding main ideas, and making connections  Develop writing skills across the curriculum including summarizing and essay writing  Demonstrate research skills through group discussion, debates, oral presentations and cooperative group work  Map making and Interpretation  Develop note taking skills across the curriculum using –Outlining –T-charts –Venn Diagrams –Graphic Organizers