6th Grade Social Studies: Full-Year Curriculum BUNDLE!

Cover 6th Grade Social Studies themes, like Eastern Hemisphere History and Ancient World History with this 6th Grade Year-Long Bundle. It provides a complete social studies curriculum with a focus on literacy development, reading comprehension, and active learning. Student workbooks include informational reading passages, meaning no textbook is needed! In addition, student workbooks, PowerPoints, and tests are Google compatible, which allows for digital learning.

In this bundle, 21st Century skills are emphasized with annotation and reading skills development, interactive hands-on activities, research, and more. All units are easy to use with independent learners, teacher-guided instruction, or a mix of both. **This bundle best aligns to the reading levels, ability levels, and state standards of 6th, but can also be used with other grade levels.

Looking for another grade-level bundle? Check these out:

*3rd GRADE CURRICULUM BUNDLE

*4/5th GRADE CURRICULUM- (Bundle 1)

Please note: Resources are not editable. For a better understanding of the lessons provided in this bundle, please click “View Preview” near the thumbnails at the top of the page and continue reading below, where specific topics in each unit are described. You can get more information and a suggested order of units/pacing guide by clicking HERE!

**INCLUDED:

– 10 Full Units

– A ‘Major World Religions’ mini-unit.

– An ‘Intro to Social Studies’ mini-unit.

– End-of-Year (Or end-of-unit) Concluding Activities

– A “Social Studies Accessories” Package, as well as classroom posters for Social Studies themes and Reading Skills.

——— Included in FULL UNITS ———

• Student Workbooks with Informational Text- No textbook needed!
• Embedded Reading Skills Tasks: Annotations Directions, Guided Notes, Checks for Understanding (Main Idea, Summarize, Cause & Effect, Draw a Conclusion, Compare & Contrast).
• Study Guide.
• Interactive Notebook / Lapbook Activities for hands-on learning.
• PowerPoints for teacher read alouds (fully aligned with the Student Workbook).
• A Teacher Guide: Scripted Lesson Plans, Teacher Prep Checklists, Learning Goals, Answer Keys.
• An End-of-Unit Test
• Google Compatible Workbooks, PowerPoints (Google Slides), and Test (Google Forms)

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**UNITS & TOPICS:

SOCIAL STUDIES BASICS (7-10 day lesson):

• Topics: What is Social Studies (5 Themes, types of Social Scientists). Think like a Social Scientist: 1. Perspective, 2. Fact v. Opinion, 3. Reliable Sources (Primary & Secondary).

CONTINENTS, OCEANS, & MAP SKILLS:

Lesson 1: Overview of the Earth

Lesson 2: The Oceans

– Pacific

– Atlantic

– Indian

– Arctic

– Southern

Lesson 3: The Continents

– Asia

– Africa

– Europe

– North America

– South America

– Australia / Oceania

– Antarctica

Lesson 4: What is Latitude and Longitude?

– Latitude and Equator

– Longitude and Prime (Greenwich) Meridian

Lesson 5: The Hemispheres and Directions

– Hemispheres

– Directions and Compass Rose

EARLY MAN (THE STONE AGE):

Lesson 1- The First Humans:

• Archeology, Fossils, and Artifacts
• Lucy and Ardi
• Stone Age periods
• Hominins and Human Species (Homo Hibilis, Homo Erectus, Homo Neanderthalensis, Homo Sapiens)

Lesson 2- Paleolithic Age:

• Stone Tools: Axe, Bow & Arrow, Spear, Awl, Needle
• Advancements: Fire, Animal Hides, Calendar, Communication
• Way of Life: Hunting & Gathering, Nomadic Bands and shelter
• Migration: Africa, Europe, Asia, Bering Land Bridge Theory
• Cave Art

Lesson 3- Neolithic Age:

• Mesolithic Revolution, pastoral nomads
• Agricultural Revolution, domestication of animals, farming
• Tools: Hoe, Sickle
• Advancements: Wheel, Pots, Longhouses, Slash & Burn, Irrigation
• Building Civilization: Complex Societies, Economies, Government, and Culture. Specialization
• Stonehenge

MESOPOTAMIA:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Mesopotamia:

• Mesopotamia’s geography & the Fertile Crescent
• Tigris & Euphrates River Valley Civilizations

Lesson 2- Mesopotamia- Government:

• Five Major Civilizations: Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, Persia
• Hammurabi’s Code
• Famous Kings
• Expansion & Organization techniques

Lesson 3- Mesopotamia- Economy:

• Trade
• Major Goods: Agricultural Goods, Textiles, Pottery
• “Crossroads of Trade”
• Interesting Fact- Donkey Caravans

Lesson 4- Mesopotamia- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Polytheism and Zoroastrianism
• Sumer: Cuneiform, Epic of Gilgamesh, Ziggurat of Ur
• Akkad: Akkadian language, Cylinder Seal
• Babylon: System of Government & Justice, Hanging Gardens, Center of Culture
• Assyria: Warrior-Society, Chariot and Iron technology, Schools & Libraries
• Persia: Religious Tolerance, Invention of the refrigerator, famous games & sports.

ANCIENT CHINA:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Ancient China:

• China’s geography
• Yellow River Valley Civilization

Lesson 2- Ancient China- Government:

• Five Chinese Dynasties: Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang
• Civil Service
• Mandate of Heaven

Lesson 3- Ancient China- Economy:

• Trade
• Major Goods: Tea, Spices, Silk, Porcelain, Gunpowder
• Silk Road
• Interesting Fact- Silk Worms

Lesson 4- Ancient China- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Confucianism and Taoism
• Customs: Foot binding, Lantern Festival, Chinese Dragon
• Arts & Architecture: Calligraphy, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Hip Roofs

ANCIENT EGYPT:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Ancient Egypt:

• Egypt’s geography, Nile River Valley Civilization

Lesson 2- Ancient Egypt- Government:

• Types of Government: Absolute Monarchy and Theocracy
• Pharaohs: Djoser, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Cleopatra

Lesson 3- Ancient Egypt- Economy:

• Agriculture & Trade
• Major Goods: Grains, Gold, Papyrus
• The Barter System

Lesson 4- Ancient Egypt- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Polytheism, Mummification, the Afterlife
• Art & Architecture: Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, King Tut’s Tomb, Frescos, Fashion
• Math & Writing: Geometry, 365-day Calendar, Hieroglyphics, Rosetta Stone

ANCIENT GREECE:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Ancient Greece:

• Greece’s geography & early civilization

Lesson 2- Ancient Greece- Government:

• City States: Argos, Corinth, Thebes, Athens, Sparta
• Types of Government: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Democracy
• Famous Rulers (including the only Greek Empire under Alexander the Great)
• Peloponnesian War

Lesson 3- Ancient Greece- Economy:

• Trade
• Major Goods: Olives, Wine, Pottery
• Greek influence on “International Trade”
• Interesting Fact- the Olive Branch

Lesson 4- Ancient Greece- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Greek Mythology
• Literature: The Iliad and the Odyssey
• Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
• Math & Science: Archimedes
• The Arts: Amphitheaters, Marble Statues, Architecture
• Olympics
• The Acropolis

ANCIENT ROME:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Ancient Rome:

• Rome’s geography, Romulus and Remus

Lesson 2- Ancient Rome- Government:

• Republic: The Consuls, the Senate, and the Assembly
• Empire: Caesar, Octavian, Nero, Constantine
• Roman Legion

Lesson 3- Ancient Rome- Economy:

• Agriculture & Trade
• Major Goods: Olive Oil, Wine, Grain
• An advanced system of Trade

Lesson 4- Ancient Rome- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Roman Mythology and Christianity
• Language & Writing: Latin, Roman Numerals
• Art & Architecture: Greek Influence, Mosaics, Sculpture, Pantheon
• City-Planning: Roads, Aqueducts, Roman Baths
• The Colosseum: Architecture, Festivals, Gladiators

WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to West Africa:

• West Africa’s geography & location
• The Three Great Kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

Lesson 2- West Africa- Government:

• Absolute Monarchy & Theocracy
• Ghana: Dinga Cisse, Theocracy, Tribal advisors
• Mali: Sundiata Kieta, the Gbara, Mansa Musa
• Songhai: Sunni Ali, Mohammed I, the Imperial Counsel

Lesson 3- West Africa- Economy:

• Trade
• Major Goods: Gold, Salt, Ivory
• Mansa Musa and Global Trade
• Timbuktu

Lesson 4- West Africa- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Animism and Islam
• Arab Travelers: Al Bakri and Ibn Battuta
• Griots
• Art: Pottery and Sculpture
• Islamic Influence: Education, the Great Mosque of Djenne

ANCIENT INDIA:

Lesson 1- An Introduction to Ancient India:

• West Africa’s geography & location
• Monsoons
• Indus River Valley Civilization

Lesson 2- Ancient India- Government:

• Absolute Monarchy & Oligarchy
• Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro: City-Planning, Trade
• Maurya: War Elephants, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka
• Gupta: Golden Age, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II

Lesson 3- Ancient India- Economy:

• Trade
• Major Goods: Textiles, Precious Stones & Metals, Spices
• Global Trade Routes

Lesson 4- Ancient India- Culture & Society:

• Social structure
• Belief Systems: Hinduism and Buddhism
• Sanskrit
• Art & Architecture (Great Stupa, Ajanta Caves)
• Math & Science: Zero, Decimal System, Solar Year
• Medicine: Natural & wholistic medicine, Surgery, Sushruta

MEDIEVAL EUROPE (Early Middle Ages):

Lesson 1- The Fall of Rome:

• The Roman Empire
• Causes for the Fall of Rome (Fear of Invasion, Economic & Political instability, Division between east & west)
• Attila the Hun

Lesson 2- European Empires:

• Byzantine Empire (Justinian, Justinian Code, Greco-Roman culture, East Orthodox Church)
• Kievan-Rus (Kiev: Commercial center, Byzantine Influence, Vikings & Slavic peoples)
• Holy Roman Empire (Franks, Clovis, Carolingian Dynasty, Charlemagne, Roman Catholic Church)

Lesson 3- Feudalism:

• The Feudal System & Social Structure
• Manorialism
• Medieval Life & Social Groups

1. Kings & Nobles

2. Knights & Commoners

3. The Church

Lesson 4- Outside of Europe:

• Thriving ideas and societies
• Rise of Islam
• Abbasid Empire
• Song Dynasty in China, Ghana, and Maya

MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS (3-4 Day Lesson)

– One page reading passage for each Major World Religion: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism.

– Reading Comprehension Tasks to compare religions.

COMPARING CULTURES ACTIVITY

– Reading comprehension activities to compare & contrast different cultures or civilizations.

END-OF- YEAR SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITIES:

Included:

‘JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY’ PROJECT OPTIONS:

Project 1- Social Studies on a String:

• Teacher Guide
• Images of Sample Project
• Student Directions
• Templates for three project themes- “Where I’ve Been”, “Who I met”, and “What was Awesome”.

Project 2- Cereal Box Collage:

• Teacher Guide
• Images of Sample Project
• Student Directions
• Student “Brainstorming Page”

Project 3- 3-D Community Project:

• Teacher Guide
• Images of Sample Projects
• Student Directions
• Student “Brainstorming Page”

– Editable Grading Rubric

– Editable Letter Home to Parent/Guardian

Extras:
SOCIAL STUDIES ACCESSORIES PACKAGE

– Great addition to your lesson planning and student experiences!

SOCIAL STUDIES THEMES: CLASSROOM AND STUDENT BINDER POSTERS

READING SKILLS & COMPREHENSION- CLASSROOM AND STUDENT BINDER POSTERS

**Friendly Reminder: LICENSING TERMS: This purchase includes a license for one teacher only for personal use in their classroom. Licenses are non-transferable, meaning they cannot be passed from one teacher to another. No part of this resource is to be shared with colleagues or used by an entire grade level, school, or district without purchasing the proper number of licenses. If you are a coach, principal, or district interested in transferable licenses to accommodate yearly staff changes, please contact me for a quote at tonythetourist1@gmail.com. Thank you for respecting my terms!