Grade 6– Social Studies Curriculum:
Ancient and classical civilizations in the mediterranean to the fall of the Roman Empire: ideas that shaped history Chicopee Public Schools
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Some districts may wish to teach the grade 6 standards, skills, and concepts in grade 7, and the grade 7 standards, skills, and concepts in grade 6. The planned MCAS at the end of grade 7 will accommodate this change. With this mind, Fairview Veterans Memorial and Edward Bellamy Middle Schools may select a sequence for grades 6 and 7 however; the sequence must be the same for each school.
Six graders study the origins of human beings in Africa and the early civilizations that flourished in the Mediterranean area. They study the religions, governments, trade, philosophies, and art of these civilizations as well as the powerful ideas that arose in the ancient world and profoundly shaped the course of world history. These ideas include monotheism, democracy, the rule of law, individual worth, personal responsibility, the alphabetic principle for a writing system, and scientific reasoning.
Note: The grade 7 MCAS will cover the world geography, history, economics, and civics standards, concepts and skills of grades 6 and 7. Students should be able to apply concepts and skills learned in previous grades.
Human Origins in Africa through the Neolithic Age
Week 1
Strands: 7.1
Objectives:
Week 2
Strands: 7.2, 7.3
Objectives:
Week 3
Strands: 7.4, 7.5
Objectives:
Week 4
Strands: 7.6
Objectives:
Mesopotamia: Site of Several Ancient River Civilizations
C. 3500-1200 BC/BCE
Week 5
Strands: 7.7
Objectives:
Week 6
Strands: 7.8
Objectives:
Week 7
Strands: 7.9
1. Describe how the following contributed to the growth of Mesopotamian civilizations:
a. Irrigation.
b. Metalsmithing.
c. Slavery.
d. The domestication of animals.
e. Inventions such as the wheel.
f. The sail.
g. The plow.
Objectives:
Week 8
Strands: 7.10
1. Describe the important achievements of Mesopotamian civilization.
2. The system of writing (and its importance in record keeping and tax collection).
3. Monumental architecture (the ziggurat).
4. Art (large relief sculpture, mosaics, and cylinder seals).
Objectives:
Week 9
Strands: 7.11
1. Describe who Hammurabi was and explain the basic principle of justice in Hammurabi's Code.
a. “an eye for an eye”
Objectives:
Egypt: an Ancient River Civilization, c. 3000-1200 BC/BCE
Week 10
Strands: 7.12
Objectives:
Week 11
Strands: 7.13
Objectives:
Week 12
Strands: 7.14
Objectives:
Week 13
Strands: 7.15
Objectives:
Week 14
Strands: 7.16
a. the agricultural system
b. the invention of a calendar
c. monumental architecture and art such as the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza
d. hieroglyphic writing
e. the invention of papyrus
Objectives:
Phoenicia, c. 1000-300 BC/BCE
Week 15
Strands: 7.17
1. On a map of the ancient Mediterranean world, locate Greece, Asia Minor, Crete, Phoenicia, the Aegean, and the Red Sea.
2.
On a modern
map, locate Greece, Crete, Turkey, Lebanon, and
Syria.
Objectives:
Week 16
Strands: 7.18
1. Identify the Phoenicians as the successors to the Minoans in dominating maritime trade in the Mediterranean from c. 1000-300 BC/BCE.
2. Describe how the Phoenician writing system was the first alphabet (with 22 symbols for consonants) and the precursor of the first complete alphabet developed by the ancient Greeks (with symbols representing both consonants and vowels).
Objectives:
The Roots of Western Civilization: Ancient Israel c. 2000 BC/BCE-70 AD/CE
Week 17
Strands: 7.19
Objectives:
Week 18
Strands: 7.20
1. Identify the ancient Israelites, or Hebrews.
2. Trace their migrations from Mesopotamia to the land called Canaan.
3. Explain the role of Abraham and Moses in Israelite/Hebrew history.
Objectives:
Week 19
Strands: 7.21
1. Describe the monotheistic religion of the Israelites.
a. The belief that there is one God.
b. The Ten Commandments and the Torah.
c. The emphasis on individual worth and personal responsibility.
d. The belief that all people must adhere to the same moral obligations, whether ruler or ruled.
e. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as part of the history of early Israel.
Objectives:
Week 20
Strands: 7.22
1. Describe the unification of the tribes of Israel under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon.
2. Include David's founding of Jerusalem as his capital city in 1000 BC/BCE and the building of the first temple by Solomon.
Objectives:
Week 21
Strands: 7.23
1. Explain the expulsion/dispersion of the Jews to other lands (referred to as the
Diaspora) after the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD/CE,
and the renaming of the country by the Romans.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events.
2. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and historical
maps of the same region.
The Roots of Western Civilization: Ancient Greece, c. 800-300 BC/BCE
Week 22
Strands: 7.24
1. On a historical map of the Mediterranean area, locate Greece and trace the
extent of its influence to 300 BC/BCE.
2. On a modern map of the Mediterranean area, Europe, England, the Middle East,
and the Indian subcontinent, locate England, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other countries in the Balkan peninsula, Crete, Egypt, India, the Middle East, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and historical
maps of the same region.
Week 23
Strands: 7.25
1. Explain how the geographical location of ancient Athens and other city-states
contributed to their role in maritime trade, their colonies in the Mediterranean, and the expansion of their cultural influence.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and historical
maps of the same region.
2. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
kindergarten through grade 6: producers, consumers, goods, services, buyers, sellers, natural resources, taxes, specialization, savings, entrepreneur, prices, markets, scarcity, trade, barter, money, medium of exchange, supply, and demand.
Week 24
Strands: 7.26
1. Explain why the government of ancient Athens is considered the beginning of
Democracy and explain the democratic political concepts developed in ancient Greece.
A. the “polis” or city-state
B. civic participation and voting rights
C. legislative bodies
D. constitution writing
E. rule of law
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources
and describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history.
Week 24
Strands: 7.27, 7.28
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to Compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
3. The students will be able to Construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
Week 25
Strand: 7.29
1. Analyze the causes, course, and consequences of the Persian Wars
2. The origins of marathons.
*3. Summarize the battles and results of the Persian Wars
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
3. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied.
Week 26
Strand: 7.30
1. Analyze the causes, course, and consequences of the Peloponnesian Wars
between Athens and Sparta.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
3. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied.
Week 27
Strand: 7.31
1. Describe the rise of Alexander the Great and the spread of Greek culture.
*2. Describe how Alexander defeated the Persian Empire
*3. Summarize Alexander’s military conquests and their impact on future
cultures.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
3. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
Week 28
Strand: 7.32
1. Describe the myths and stories of classical Greece;
b. give examples of Greek gods and goddesses
c. give examples of Greek heroes and events,
d. explain where and how we see their names used today.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able distinguish between primary and secondary sources and
describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history.
Week 29
Strand: 7.33
1. Explain why the city-states of Greece instituted a tradition of athletic
competitions.
2. Describe the kinds of sports they featured
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
Week 30
Strand: 7.34 Describe the purposes and functions of the lyceum, the gymnasium, and the Library of Alexandria, and identify the major accomplishments of the ancient Greeks.
a. Thales (science)
b. Pythagoras and Euclid (mathematics)
c. Hippocrates (medicine)
d. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (philosophy)
e. Herodotus, Thucydides, Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Aristophanes, and Euripides (history, poetry, and drama)
f. the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Temple of Apollo (architecture)
g. the development of the first complete alphabet with symbols for consonants and vowels
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when explaining
historical events
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able to Distinguish between primary and secondary sources
and describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history.
The Roots of Western Civilization: Ancient Rome, c. 500 BC/BCE-500 AD/CE
Week 31
Strand: 7.35
1. On a historical map, identify ancient Rome
2. Trace the extent of the Roman Empire to 500 AD/CE.
Objectives:
2. The students will be able to use correctly the words or abbreviations for identifying time periods or dates in historical narratives (decade, age, era, century, millennium, AD/CE, BC/BCE, c., and circa). Identify in BC/BCE dates the higher number as indicating the older year (that is, 3000 BC/BCE is earlier than 2000 BC/BCE) (H)
Week 32
Strand: 7.36
1. Explain how the geographical location of ancient Rome contributed to the
shaping of Roman society and;
h. the expansion of its political power in the Mediterranean region and
beyond.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
2. The students will be able to define and use correctly words and terms relating
to government such as city-state, dynasty, kingdom, empire, republic,
separation of powers, civic duty, rule of law, and military.
3. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events
Week 33
Strand: 7.37
1. Explain the rise of the Roman Republic and the role of mythical and historical
figures in Roman history.
A. Romulus and Remus
B. Hannibal and the Carthaginian Wars
C. Cicero
D. Julius Caesar and Augustus
E. Hadrian
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
2. The students will be able to define and use correctly words and terms relating
to government such as city-state, dynasty, kingdom, empire, republic, separation of powers, civic duty, rule of law, and military.
2. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
3. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and civilizations studied
Week 34
Strand: 7.38
1. Describe the government of the Roman Republic and its contribution to the
development of democratic principles, including;
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to Define and use correctly words and terms relating
to government such as city-state, dynasty, kingdom, empire, republic, separation of powers, civic duty, rule of law, and military.
2. The students will be able to Distinguish between primary and secondary
sources and describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history
Week 35
Strand: 7.39
1. Describe the influence of Julius Caesar and Augustus in Rome’s transition
from a republic to an empire.
2. Explain the reasons for the growth and long life of the Roman Empire.
a. Military organization, tactics, and conquests; and decentralized administration
b. the purpose and functions of taxes
c. the promotion of economic growth through the use of a standard currency, road construction, and the protection of trade routes
d. the benefits of a Pax Romana
Objectives:
1. Define and use correctly words and terms relating to government such as city-
state, dynasty, kingdom, empire, republic, separation of powers, civic duty, rule of law, and military.
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
4. The students will be able to define and apply economic concepts learned in
pre-kindergarten through grade 6:producers, consumers, goods, services,
buyers, sellers, natural resources, taxes, specialization, savings, entrepreneur, prices, markets, scarcity, trade, barter, money, medium of exchange, supply, and demand.
Week 36
Strands: 7.40, 7.41
1. Describe the characteristics of slavery under the Romans.
2. Describe the origins of Christianity and its central features.
a. monotheism
b. the belief in Jesus as the Messiah and God’s son who redeemed
humans from sin
c. the concept of salvation
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
Week 37
Strand: 7.41 (continued)
1. Describe the origins of Christianity and its central features.
a. belief in the Old and New Testament
b. the lives and teachings of Jesus and Saint Paul
c. the relationship of early Christians to officials of the Roman Empire
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able to distinguish between primary and secondary
sources and describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history
Week 38
Strand: 7.42
1. Explain how inner forces (including the rise of autonomous military powers,
political corruption, and economic and political instability) and external forces (shrinking trade, attacks, and invasions) led to the disintegration of the Roman Empire.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
Week 39
Strand: 7.43
1. Describe the contribution of Roman civilization to;
a. law
b. literature
c. poetry
d. architecture
e. engineering
f. technology (e.g., roads, bridges, arenas, baths, aqueducts, central
heating, plumbing, and sanitation).
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to identify multiple causes and effects when
explaining historical events.
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
3. The students will be able to Distinguish between primary and secondary
sources and describe how each kind of source is used in interpreting history
Week 40
Strand: 7.44
1. Explain the spread and influence of;
d. the Roman alphabet and the Latin language
e. the use of Latin as the language of education for more than 1,000 years
f. the role of Latin and Greek in scientific and academic vocabulary.
Objectives:
1. The students will be able to compare information shown on modern and
historical maps of the same region
2. The students will be able to construct and interpret timelines of events and
civilizations studied
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