Middle School Social Studies

Middle School Social Studies - Sixth Grade
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Overview of the Year

The topics and projects listed in the following overviews are samples of what has been done in the past and should be regarded as an indication rather than a guarantee of what may be done in the future. Since all middle school classes keep an eye pointed towards current events and the interests of both students and teachers, the curriculum for a given trimester may be altered to increase relevance. Additionally, it is the philosophy of the MS History Department to provide opportunities for both the teachers and the students to utilize their individual talents to the best of their abilities. Consequently, students at the same grade level may be exploring different topics and not all will be exposed to the identical material. Teachers throughout the department do work together though to make sure that each student will have the opportunity to receive a thorough, basic understanding of key issues in History, both in this country and throughout the world.

Trimester One ===
Topic	Ancient Egypt	Ancient Meso- America
Theme	Search for Origins	Search for Immortality
Content Highlights	Mapping and timeline skills Geographic factors in human settlement Influence of geography on cultural activities/beliefs Technological advancements and cultural achievements Types of government Development of religious beliefs & practices Social classes Cultural diffusion Rise and fall of civilizations
	Introduction to Internet Traits of civilization City planning
Connection to Language Arts	Popol Vuh The Well of Scarifice
Project Menu	Neighborhood Map, Travel Brochure, Museum Day

Trimester Two ===
Topic	Africa	World Religions / Modern Middle East
Theme	Search for Social Justice	Search for Peace
Content Highlights	Mapping and timeline skills Geographic factors in human settlement Influence of geography on cultural activities/beliefs Technological advancements and cultural achievements Types of government Development of religious beliefs & practices Social classes Cultural diffusion Rise and fall of civilizations Colonization by Europe Independence movements Democracy struggles
Content Highlights	Empire building Apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa Ancient African Kingdoms	Islam, Judaism, Christianity colonization of Middle East Formation of Israel Peace process and peace accords
Connection to Language Arts	Storyteller's Beads, African Folk Tales	Shadow Spinner
Project Menu	African Kingdoms Project	Perspective Journal

Trimester Three ===
Topic	Asia
Theme	Search for Independence
Content Highlights	Mapping and timeline skills Geographic factors in human settlement Influence of geography on cultural activities/beliefs Technological advancements and cultural achievements Types of government Development of religious beliefs & practices Social classes Cultural diffusion Rise and fall of civilizations Colonization by Europe Independence movements Democracy struggles
Content Highlights	Hong Kong Cultural Revolution Mao and Gandhi Patterns of Eastern Thought Dynastic China
Connection to Language Arts	The Master Puppeteer, Red Scarf Girl
Project Menu	Shinto Festival, China Project




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