The course-level objectives for 6th grade Social Studies come from Missouri Learning Standards. The competencies are divided by unit below; separate module-level objectives are located at the beginning of each assignment.

Units 1 – EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

The study of ancient civilizations focuses on how agrarian societies developed into civilizations. An emphasis is on the four great river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River Valley (Harappa) and China. Students will also examine the timing and impact of agricultural revolution in the Americas. Students will understand how the geographic commonalities of these regions led to the development of civilizations, the traits of civilizations, and the economic, social, political, artistic, and religious features of each culture. The legacies of these civilizations can be used to help us understand these regions today.

Major Instructional Goals: You will know you have achieved the learning goal when you can:

• Explain the causes and results of the Agricultural Revolution in relation to the development of new and more complex societies Asia, Africa, and the Americas. (6-8.WH.2.CC.A)
• Analyze the role early civilizations had in shaping concepts of government, law, and social order. (6-8.WH.2.CC.B)
• Explain the origins, functions, structure of government monarchies, theocracies city states, empires, and dynasties. (6-8.WH.2.GS.A)
• Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of subjects and political leaders in monarchies, theocracies, city-states and empires. (6-8.WH.2.GS.B)
• Describe how the physical characteristics of river valleys supported permanent settlement and early civilizations. (6-8.WH.2.G.A)
• Analyze the cultural/human characteristics of early civilizations in order to determine how they are similar and different. (6-8.WH.2.G.B)
• Explain how the physical and human characteristics of early civilizations are connected to human identities and cultures. (6-8.WH.2.G.C)
• Explain how the concept of economic surplus led to trade and the emergence of specialization of labor. (6-8.WH.2.EC.A)
• Explain how standardization (such as currency, weights, and measures) impact the stability of a society. (6-8.WH.2.EC.B)
• Explain the significance of monotheistic and polytheistic religions to the social and political order of early civilizations. (6-8.WH.2.PC.A)
• Describe the origins, structure, and significant beliefs of Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism (6-8.WH.2.PC.B)
• Describe how the worldview of social groups and institutions form culture and define the position of the individual within various societies. (6-8.WH.2.PC.C)
• Analyze scientific, technological, intellectual, and artistic advancements in order to determine the legacy of the ancient civilizations. (6-8.WH.2.PC.D)

Unit 2 & 3 - CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS

Unit Overview: The study of classical civilizations focuses on how systems of government and philosophy impact the development and interactions of societies. The emphasis is on Greece, Rome, and China which laid the foundation for future cultural, scientific, and technological advancements. Trade patterns became powerful agents of cultural diffusion within, and among, societies. Students will understand the role of individuals within family units, within social structures, and within religious institutions. Further, students will understand the role of individuals within governments, the emergence of new governmental systems, and their influence on today’s society.

Major Instructional Goals: You will know you have achieved the learning goal when you can:

• Analyze the rise and fall of classical civilizations to determine their significance to future societies (6-8.WH.3.CC.A)
• Trace the impact of conflicts, competition, and cooperation within and among classical civilizations. (6-8.WH.3.CC.B)
• Explain the origins, functions, and structure of governmental systems within classical civilizations. (6-8.WH.3.GS.A)
• Analyze direct democracy and representative democracy in order to apply the concepts of majority rule, minority rights and civic duty. (6-8.WH.3.GS.B)
• Explain how the rule of law developed from a written code of laws as well as separation of powers and checks and balances. (6-8.WH.3GS.C)
• Explain the significance of physical geography to the creation of classical civilizations. (6-8.WH.3.G.A)
• Identify the effect of natural forces upon human activities (6-8.WH.3.G.B)
• Describe trade patterns and how they influenced the movement of resources, goods and services. (6-8.WH.3.EC.A)
• Explain how standardization such as currency, weights and measures, impacts the stability of a society. (6-8.WH.3.EC.B)
• Explain how political stability and security affect the wellbeing of individuals and society. (6-8.WH.3.EC.C)
• Explain the significance of mythology and literature and philosophy to the culture and social order of classical civilizations. (6-8.WH.3.PC.A)
• Analyze scientific, technological, intellectual, and artistic advancements in order to determine the legacy of the classical civilizations. (6-8.WH.3.PC.B)
• Examine the extent and impact of cultural diffusion that results from empire building. (such as spread of Hellenism, Roman and Chinese dynasties) (6-8.WH.3.PC.C)
• From a historical perspective, explain the origin, structure, spread, and significant beliefs of Christianity. (6-8.WH.3.PC.D)

Unit 4 - MIDDLE AGES

The study of the post classical period focuses on an interconnected exchange among regions. The emphasis is on the fragmentation of societies resulting from the collapse of empires in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. New governmental, social, and religious institutions developed during this period. Empires established in both hemispheres expanded through trade and military conquest. After considering these developments, students will explore and have an understanding of the impact this time period has on the world today.

Major Instructional Goals: You will know you have achieved the learning goal when you can:

• Compare how the collapse of government and resulting instability led to the development of feudal kingdoms in Europe and Japan. (6-8.WH.4.CC.A)
• Explain the origins and significance of the expansion of the Muslim and Mongol rule in Europe, Asia and Africa. (6-8.WH.4.CC.B)
• Analyze how the Crusades and Black Death brought affected existing societies in Europe, Asia, and Africa. (6-8.WH.4.CC.C)
• Analyze the cultures of Civilizations in Sub-Saharan Africa,  Mesoamerica, and Andean South America. (6-8.WH.4.CC.D)
• Explain the origins,functions, and structure of governmental systems within civilizations. (6-8.WH.4.GS.A)
• Explain how the rule of law is further developed by the Magna Carta including limited government and due process. (6-8.WH.4.GS.B)
• Analyze the conflict and cooperation between religions and the state to determine their impact on people and societies. (6-8.WH.4.GS.C)
• Explain how the spread of cultural patterns and economic decisions shape and are shaped by environments. (6-8.WH.4.G.A)
• Explain how physical geographic characteristics influenced human identities and cultures. (6-8.WH.4.G.B)
• Explain how interregional trade intensified the exchange of goods and ideas such as the trans-Saharan trade, the Silk Roads, and the Indian Ocean networks. (6-8.WH.4.EC.A)
• Analyze scientific, technological, intellectual, and artistic advancements in order to determine the legacy of European, African and Mesoamerican civilizations. (6-8.WH.4.PC.A)
• From a historical perspective, explain the origin, structure, spread, and significant beliefs of Islam. (6-8.WH.4.PC.B
• Describe how the worldview of individuals, social groups, and institutions change as a result of connections among regions. (6-8.WH.4.PC.C)
• Analyze the causes and effects of the changing roles of class, ethnicity, race, gender and age on world cultures prior to c. 1450. (6-8.WH.4.PC.D)