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6th Grade Social Studies: Complete Curriculum of Sixth Grade Social Studies

6th Grade Social Studies is a full curriculum of four units of sixth grade social studies taught to National Council for the Social Studies (U.S.) standards, covering world geography, history, and economies.
Beth Foster | Humanities Educator
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What's included

40 live meetings
16 hrs 40 mins in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. There is daily homework to be completed outside of class time. Homework includes reading and writing assignments, as well as worksheets and other learning projects. There is also a final research paper that includes scaffolded assignments throughout the course.
Assessment
All student workbooks are graded throughout the course. Weekly homework is assessed as follows for learners seeking a letter grade and letter of completion: Journal Responses: 30 Points Weekly Quiz: 15 Points Projects/Worksheets: 25 Points Class Participation: 15 Points Scaffold Research Paper Assignments: 15 Percent Scores on the weekly homework account for 75 percent of the final grade with the research paper counting for 25 percent of the final grade. Letters of completion with final grade will be issued to students who complete the course with a C (70 Percent) or greater.
Letter Grade
Students who complete the course with a C (70 percent or greater) will receive a letter of completion with their letter grade within a month of the course's last meeting.
Certificate of Completion
Students who complete the course with a C (70 percent or greater) will receive a certificate of completion within a month of the course's last meeting.

Class Experience

US Grade 6
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: 

❶ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 If the class fee is a barrier to your learner's enrollment, message me for more information about payment plan options and scholarship opportunities. 

❷ 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 Learners registering for both the social studies and English Language Arts course of the same grade level in the same school year will be refunded $100 of their course fee. The refund will be made in the week before class meetings begin, at the time workbook links are being distributed to students. For learners on the payment plan, the $100 refund will be applied to the fourth payment. 

❸ 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 During Unit 1, we have two class meetings per week for five weeks, followed by a two-week fall break. We return for Unit 2, with two class meetings per week for three weeks and then a one-week break for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We return for the final two weeks of Unit 2, and then have a six-week winter break. Returning at the end of January, Unit 3 has two meetings per week for five weeks followed by a two-week spring break. After spring break, we finish up the school year by completing Unit 4 with two meetings per week for five weeks. 

❹ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 Students will receive a virtual interactive workbook before the course begins. The workbook is created using Google Slides. Students will complete homework in the workbook and the teacher also provides feedback on homework in the workbook. 

❺ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 No refunds of course fees are given after the workbooks are distributed. 

❻ 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 Learners enrolled in any of my semester courses are invited to attend study hall, held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the semester, at no additional cost. This is a time when students can get extra help with assignments, ask questions, work with classmates on group projects, or just log in and work on homework with other learners. 

❼ 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Homework is assigned following each class meeting. Most students will need some adult assistance with the homework. Students are welcome to attend the course and complete as much or as little homework as they and their adult wish. In order to receive a letter of completion, however, students must complete homework in order to earn at least a 70 percent of better on their final grade. 

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𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗛 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗦

Sixth Grade Social Studies is taught to the National Council for the Social Studies (U.S.) standards, covering world history, geography, economics, and global connections. Learners will explore the continents and regions, major countries and empires past and present, migration patterns, world religions, and cultures. Learners will have two journal writing prompts each week, and will also write a research paper. Research paper writing will scaffold throughout the school year and will include instruction about reputable sources, citing sources, making an outline, and drafting, proof reading, and editing the final paper. Teaching will include lecture with slides, videos and other multi-media presentations, along with discussion, learning games and activities, worksheets, and quizzes. All reading materials and instructions will be provided with a link or PDF. 

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀:
On Tuesdays we will begin by sharing and discussing the previous week's writing assignment. We will then have a discussion about the weekend's reading assignment, followed by lecture, activity, and/or game to further explore the lesson. Homework will include a worksheet or project, journal writing assignment, and reading assignment. 

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀:
On Thursdays we will review and discuss Tuesday's homework assignment, followed by lecture, activity, and/or game to further explore the lesson.  The week's writing assignment will be made and discussed. Weekend homework will include a reading assignment, journal writing assignment, work on the research paper, and quiz.

This class if for learners who just want to practice their social studies skills and learn more, as well as learners who want a letter of completion. (In order to receive a letter of completion, learners must submit a research paper of at least four pages. The research paper will scaffold throughout the school year.) There is 2-3 hours of homework to be completed each week. See the rubric below for how the learner will be evaluated. 

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𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝟭: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟳-𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟳

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭: 
Day 1- Welcome: Introductions, Overview of why we study world geography and history
Day 2-Archaeology and Ancient Migrations
(Research Paper Scaffold: Choosing and narrowing a research topic, Weekend work-Essay about about the research paper topic)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮:
Day 1-The First People and Hunter-Gatherer Societies
Day 2-The Agricultural Revolution and the First Towns
(Research Paper Scaffold: Reputable sources, Weekend work-A list of five reputable sources related to the research paper topic)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟯:
Day 1-Overview of North Africa and the Middle East
Day 2- Ancient Mesopotamia 
(Research Paper Scaffold: Citing Sources, Weekend work-Revise research paper topic based on feedback)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟰:
Day 1-Egypt Past and Present
Day 2-Empires of North Africa and the Middle East
(Research Paper Scaffold: Taking Notes, Weekend work-Create notes from two of your sources)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟱:
Day 1-Religion: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Day 2-Wrap-Up and Unit 1 Trivia Game
(Research Paper Scaffold: Finding the main idea and supporting details, Weekend work-Create notes from two of your sources)

𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞: 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝟮: 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱-𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟮

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟲:
Day 1: Overview of Asia
Day 2: China Past and Present
(Research Paper Scaffold: Plagiarism, Weekend work-Finish all note-taking from your sources)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟳:
Day 1: India Past and Present
Day 2: East Asia Past and Present
(Research Paper Scaffold: Writing a thesis statement, Weekend work-Write a thesis statement)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟴:
Day 1: Southeast Asia Past and Present
Day 2: Religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism
(Research Paper Scaffold: Making an outline, Weekend work-Create an outline)

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸: 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟵:
Day 1: Religions-Shinto, Sikhism, Confucianism
Day 2: Eurasia and Overview of North Asia
(Research Paper Scaffold: Making an outline, Weekend work-Revising the thesis statement and outline based on feedback)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟬:
Day 1: Russia Past and Present
Day 2: Empires and Wrap-Up of Unit 2, Unit 2 Trivia Game
(Research Paper Scaffold: Organizing notes, Winter Break Work-Organizing notes)

𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞: 𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝟯: 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟴-𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟳

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟭:
Day 1: Overview of Europe
Day 2: The Greeks and Romans
(Research Paper Scaffold: Writing an introduction and rough draft, Weekend work-Write Page 1 of the rough draft)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟮:
Day 1: Europe Past and Present
Day 2: The European Union and Brexit 
(Research Paper Scaffold: Formatting the research paper, Weekend work-Write Page 2 of the rough draft)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟯:
Day 1: Overview of Africa
Day 2: West Africa Past and Present
(Research Paper Scaffold: Citing sources and bibliography, Weekend work-Write Page 3 of the rough draft)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟰:
Day 1: East Africa Past and Present
Day 2: Central Africa Past and Present
(Research Paper Scaffold: Proofreading, Weekend work-Complete final draft of at least four pages, these four pages do not include the cover page and bibliography)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟱:
Day 1: Southern Africa Past and Present 
Day 2: Empires and Wrap-Up of Unit 3, Unit 3 Trivia Game
(Research Paper Scaffold: Congratulations! The rough draft is complete!)

𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞: 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝟰: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘀, 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟴-𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟳

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟲:
Day 1-Overview of North America
Day 2-The First Americans, Vikings, and Europeans
(Research Paper Scaffold: In class teaching-Proofreading and editing, Weekend work-Complete a proofread and edited draft using feedback provided)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟳:
Day 1-North American Past and Present
Day 2-The Maya, Aztec and Inca
(Research Paper Scaffold: Turn in the final draft)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟴:
Day 1: Mexico and Central America
Day 2: The Caribbean
(Research Paper Scaffold: Feedback on final drafts, presentation of papers)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟵:
Day 1: South America
Day 2: Oceania
(Research Paper Scaffold: Feedback on final drafts, presentation of papers)

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬:
Day 1: Antarctica
Day 2: Wrap-Up
(Research Paper Scaffold: Feedback on final drafts, presentation of papers)
Learning Goals
Sixth Grade Social Studies is taught to the National Council for the Social Studies (U.S.) standards, covering world history, geography, economics, and global connections. Learners will explore the continents and regions, major countries and empires past and present, migration patterns, world religions, and cultures. Learners will have two journal writing prompts each week, and will also write a research paper. Research paper writing will be scaffold throughout the semester and will continue learning from fifth grade social studies about reputable sources, citing sources, making an outline, and drafting, proof reading, and editing the final paper.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)
4 Units
40 Lessons
over 20 Weeks
Unit 1: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰
Lesson 1:
Welcome and Introductions
 Overview of why we study world geography and history 
25 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Archaeology and Ancient Migrations
 (Research Paper Scaffold: Choosing and narrowing a research topic, Weekend work-Essay about about the research paper topic) 
25 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The First People and Hunter-Gatherer Societies
25 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Agricultural Revolution and the First Towns
 (Research Paper Scaffold: Reputable sources, Weekend work-A list of five reputable sources related to the research paper topic) 
25 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Because sixth grade social studies teaches world history, culture, and current events, difficult content is inevitable. This includes colonization, slavery, genocide, war, death, disease, and oppression. The historical realities are disturbing to almost all students no matter their age, but may be particularly disturbing to younger learners. While I try to teach these historical realities in a way that shields younger learners from the worst of the historical horrors and in as age-appropriate manner as possible, we will explore these topics. My particular method of teaching history is to try to help my students see history through the eyes of everyday people. What this often looks like in class is reading accounts of historical events by enslaved people, enlisted soldiers, women, and indigenous people. I also seek to use historical accounts to help students explore how oppressed people rebelled, revolted, and resisted oppression. In sixth grade social studies students will also explore world religions and philosophies including Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, Sikhism, Confucianism, and the spiritual and religious practices of indigenous peoples throughout the world and across time.
Supply List
I will provide PDF readers for materials covered.
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined July, 2020
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in History from Gettysburg College
Bachelor's Degree in English from Campbellsville University
I have a master of arts degree in American history, and bachelor of arts degrees in political science, English, and communications with a journalism emphasis. I am lead teacher at The Foster Woods Folk School, which focuses on humanities education within an ecosocial justice framework aimed at celebrating and improving our connections as a global community of humans and non-humans living on Planet Earth. In this role, I work with learners of all ages with a primary focus of working with learners in grades three through 12. I was the director of a social justice center for three years during which time I routinely taught about and facilitated conversations about historical and current political events for both teen and adults participants. Before that, I was a newspaper editor and reporter for 15 years. I have been teaching history, social studies, and English Language Arts classes for several years. 

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$300

for 40 classes
2x per week, 20 weeks
25 min

Completed by 51 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
2-16 learners per class

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