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Grade 6 Social Studies Unit 1

Early Peoples of the Americas

The diverse geography of the Eastern Hemisphere has influenced human culture and settlement patterns in distinct ways. Human communities in the Eastern Hemisphere have adapted to or modified the physical environment. This is a unit which begins with an introduction of the impact of geography and includes a study of the roots of current political and environmental issues in the hemisphere.

Teachers should note that some Key Ideas and Concepts may require extra time or attention. These include Key Ideas 6.3 Early River Valley Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere; 6.6 Mediterranean World: Feudal Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic Caliphates; and 6.7 Interactions Across the Eastern Hemisphere. The unit will take approximately 2 weeks to complete.

Note: Lessons will vary in length, depending on the amount of time you have with students, the resources that you choose to accompany the unit, the level of rigor within each learning target, and any other factors that may contribute to the pacing of your learning progressions. It is recommended that you adjust the pace and length of each learning progression(s) accordingly in response to these factors.

Download the complete Grade 6 Social Studies Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards

  • (Standard: 3: Theme: GEO)

Essential questions and big ideas of the unit

  • Big Idea of the Unit: Maps can be used to help understand human behavior because humans adapt to or modify their geography.
  • How do maps help us understand our physical world?
    • Maps can help us understand trends across regions, and how people live is impacted on the resources and political structure around them.
  • What is the relationship between human activities and the environment?
    • Humans have always needed to rely on the environment for their sustenance and protection.
  • What physical, political, economic, or cultural features do countries in the Eastern Hemisphere share?
    • Countries in the Eastern Hemisphere share common characteristics of centralized governments, advanced commerce and trade systems, and complex social hierarchies. These civilizations are influenced by scientific and cultural achievements of civilizations that came before them.

Download the complete Grade 6 Social Studies Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.

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