Building upon the investigative skills and social studies concepts learned
in fifth grade, the sixth-grade students study the great classical civilizations
of Greece and Rome as well as the rise of Islam and the achievements of the
early Arab civilizations. In their unit on Greece at the beginning of the year,
the students investigate the lasting contributions of the Greeks in such areas
as politics, philosophy, sculpture, architecture, literature, and drama. They
then embark on a study of classical Rome and its enduring achievements from
the time of the republic through the empire and its fall. In the course of studying
the long sweep of Roman history, students also learn about the origins of Christianity
and its eventual spread through western Europe. The year culminates with a study
of the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula and its spread across North Africa
and through the Middle East. The students learn about the transfer of western
knowledge from the west, after the fall of the Roman Empire, to the eastern
Arab and Byzantine empires.
These civilizations are analyzed from many perspectives including politics
and government, religion and philosophy, the arts and sciences, conquest and
colonization. Because these civilizations are the cornerstones of western thought
and culture, it is essential that our students understand their legacy and relationship
to present-day institutions and values.
Goals and Objectives
Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of the reading, critical thinking, and
writing skills required for effective interpretation and analysis of ideas and
information.
Through their studies of these important civilizations and religions, the students
will understand the origins of western civilization and its values. In addition,
this information will enable them to understand more current events.
Skills
Reads for content and understanding
Introduced to the analytical essay writing
Uses varied research sources
Continues to develop geography skills
Uses critical thinking skills; understanding point of view, compares
and contrasts
Understands fact versus opinion
Develops historical empathy
Understands time and time periods
Continues to work on listening skills and debating skills
Continues to work on skills related to organization, note taking, time
management
Content
Ancient Greece
Geography
Early people
City States and Greek culture
The importance of the individual
Different approaches to government
Beginnings of democracy, the polis
The Golden Age of Athens
Art and culture, Homeric tradition
Philosophers and politicians: Pericles and Socrates
Science and mathematics, art and architecture
The effects of the war with Sparta
Empire and Alexander the Great
Geography of the Empire
Spread of Hellenistic culture
Ancient Rome
Geography of ancient Rome
Etruscan civilization
Greek infiltration
The Roman Republic
Democratic thought
Roman Empire
Geography of the Empire
Pax Romana; the growth of towns and trade
Roman culture; Roman cities; Pompeii
The rise, appeal, and spread of Christianity
The legacy of Rome
Civil engineering, the organization of the military, architecture, law, philosophy,
city planning
Fall of Roman Empire
Geography of the late Empire
Underlying causes of the fall of the Empire
The barbarians in western Europe and other consequences of the fall of the Empire
The emergence of the Byzantine Empire in the east
Rise of Islam and Islamic Empires
Geography of North Africa and the Middle East
The Prophet Muhammad and the Five Pillars of Islam
The appeal of Islam; the spread of Islam
Religion and trade as unifying factors in the Arab world
The enduring achievements of Arab civilization
Assessment and Evaluation
Class discussion
Homework
Quizzes and tests
Group and individual research projects
Rubrics
Portfolios
Materials
Textbook A Message of Ancient Days, Houghton Mifflin. 1999.
Books and novels Odyssey, Picard Iliad, Picard
Myths and Fables
Philosophy and Philosophers The Arabian Nights, Neil Philip, ed. The Story of Valentine, Wilma Pitchford Hays The Ides of April, Mary Ray The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare Seven Daughters & Seven Sons, Barbara Cohen
Films and videos
References and Resources
Resources for teachers include: California History-Social Science Curriculum Framework, 1998 National Standards for History, 1994. Document published by: National
Center for the History in the Schools
School membership in the National Council for the Social Studies
