6th Grade Social Studies Scope and Sequence
In 6th grade, the 3 units in social studies are guided overarching questions that support the standards and content listed below.
Unit: How do humans control their environment to meet their needs?
PowerStandards
Geography
SS.G.1.6-8.MdC: Use mapping and graphing to represent and analyze spatial patterns of different environmental and cultural characteristics.
SS.G2.6-8.MdC: Compare and contrast the cultural and environmental characteristics of different places or regions.
SS.G.3.6-8.LC: Explain how environmental characteristics impact human migration and settlement.
SS.G.4.6-8.LC: Identify how cultural and environmental characteristics vary among regions of the world.
History
SS.H.1.6-8.LC: Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
SS.H.2.6-8.LC: Explain how and why perspectives of people have changed over time
SS.H.3.6-8.MdC: Detect possible limitations in the historical record based on evidence collected from different kinds of historical sources.
SS.H.4.6-8.LC: Explain multiple causes and effects of historical events
Essential Question:
- How do humans control their environment to have their needs met?
Supporting Questions:
- In what ways are humans dependent on sources of water?
- What is the importance of barriers (natural and man-made)?
- How do humans control food supplies?
- What is the connection between the environment and the establishment of civilization?
Students will be able to…
- Describe why water is essential for physical survival, health, agriculture, travel, and trade.
- Explain how barriers provide protection and strengthen the identity of a culture.
- Explain why humans went from hunter-gatherers to farmers and herders due to their ability to control their environment.
- Describe how once the environment was controlled, there was a surplus of food, a division of labor, and the creation of cities.
Unit: How do civilizations progress through innovation and the creation of technology?
PowerStandards
Economics
- SS.EC.1.6-8.LC: Explain how economic decisions affect the wellbeing of individuals, businesses, and society.
- SS.EC.2.6-8.LC: Analyze the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in a market economy.
History
- SS.H.1.6-8.LC: Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
- SS.H.3.6-8.LC: Classify the kinds of historical sources used in secondary interpretation.
- SS.H.4.6-8.LC: Explain multiple causes and effects of historical events
Supporting Questions and Essential Understandings
- How did the rise of trade impact work and innovation?
- How does a stable economy improve the quality of life?
- How do “wants” drive innovation and entrepreneurship?
Students will understand…
- People began relying on other workers to provide their needs and developed a lifestyle based on the idea of exchange.
- When the economy is stable, people are not solely worried about meeting their basic needs.
- When a person does not need to focus on meeting their needs, they can focus on creative endeavors.
Students will be able to…
- Identify the different roles (jobs) in an economic system.
- Compare ancient economies to our modern economy.
- Trace the ways in which goods and services were absorbed and changed by other cultures.
Unit: How do humans strive toward a fairer society by adapting how they are governing?
PowerStandards
Civics
- SS.CV.3.6-8.LC, MdC, MC: Compare the means by which individuals and groups change societies, promote the common good, and protect rights.
- SS.CV.6.6-8.LC: Determine whether specific rules and laws (both actual and proposed) resolve the problems they were meant to address.
History
- SS.H.1.6-8.LC: Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
- SS.H.2.6-8.LC: Explain how and why the perspectives of people have changed over time.
- SS.H.4.6-8.LC: Explain multiple causes and effects of historical events
Supporting Questions and Essential Understandings
- How fair or unfair were the earliest forms of government?
- Why were constitutions and laws written and followed?
- What are the roles of an active citizen?
Students will understand…
- The earliest forms of government favored the few over the masses.
- Active citizens exchange ideas, exercise their rights, and work toward the greater good.
- Rules of government and laws are written and followed to create order.
Students will be able to…
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different types of government.
- Analyze and evaluate the fairness of written laws.
- Explain why governments change over time.
- Analyze the ways in which a civilization’s architecture impacts or informs its civic ideals.
- Compare and contrast the ways a civilization’s government meets the needs of different social classes.