All of the material presented in this course follows the standards set forth by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). This course will meet the state learning standards in most locations. 

Unit 1: Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt
Week 1:
I can describe the influence of climate and physical features on the development of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the influence of physical features as natural barriers in the development of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the government of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the culture of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the economic system of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the technology of Mesopotamia.
I can describe the agricultural practices of Mesopotamia.

Week 2:
I can describe the influence of climate and physical features on the development of Egypt.
I can describe the influence of physical features as natural barriers in the development of Egypt.
I can describe the relationship between the pharaoh in Egypt and the people of Egypt.
I can describe the government of Egypt.
I can describe the culture of Egypt.

Week 3:
I can describe the economic system of Egypt.
I can describe the technology of Egypt.
I can describe the agricultural practices of Egypt.
I can identify the products of Egypt.

Unit 2: The Indus River Valley
Week 5: 
I can identify the caste system and its relationship to Indian religions.
I can explain how trade increases cultural diffusion and the spread of ideas.
I can define and compare monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. 
I can analyze how belief systems (particularly Buddhism) spread. 

Week 6:
I can explain the impact India had on the modern world in mathematics, science, and technology. 
I can trace the development of the empire in India. 

Unit 3: Ancient China
Week 8: 
I can explain the impact that geography had on the development of Chinese civilization. 
I can analyze the importance of the Silk Road for ancient cultures in the East and the West. 

Week 9: 
I can explain how trade increases cultural diffusion and the spread of ideas.
I can explain the role that Chinese philosophy such as Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism had on Chinese culture and government.

Week 10:
I can identify the dynastic cycle, Mandate of Heaven, empire, civil service, filial piety and explain their importance in the development of Chinese culture and government. 
I can explain the impact China had on the modern world in mathematics, science and technology 

Unit 4: Ancient Greece
Week 12: 
Students will be able to locate significant geographical features in Greece.
Students will be able to explain why geography influenced the culture of the early Greeks.
Students will be able to explain why the Greeks were so influential in the development of the western world. 

Week 13:
Students will analyze how Greek democracy is reflected in modern-day governments 
Students will evaluate the different forms of government.
Students will classify the democratic principles practiced in Greece.
Students will examine the rights of citizens in Greece.
Students will appraise the contributions of Greek societies

Week 14:
Appraise the contributions of Greek societies.
Categorize the advances in education in Greece.

Week 15:
I can explain the development of the polis, Greek expansion, and rivalries between Sparta and Athens. 
I can explain the importance of Alexander’s conquest, legacy, and the development of the Hellenistic Era.
I can describe the influence of Ancient Greece on other civilizations.

I have been a middle/high school Social Studies teacher for the last four years. I currently hold a 7-12 Social Studies teaching license in the state of Ohio and a Bachelor of Arts in History. I have covered ancient civilizations with my students over the past four years, and have refined these lessons to be very engaging and impactful.

Homework Offered
Homework is always optional. I believe learners would benefit from implementing the information they learn in class, however I also understand that each learner is unique. Learners will analyze primary source documents and answer comprehension questions based on a primary source.  These activities should not take more than one hour to complete. 
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Learners will be assessed informally each class through verbal comprehension checks and class discussion. Each class will begin with a quick review of the activities from the previous week's class to ensure students understood the material. At the end of each unit students will complete a Kahoot, which will act as an informal summative assessment over each civilization. At the end of the course students will be provided with a Google Form exam over all of the material in the course. 

The Kahoots can be used for a grade, and the final assessment done outside of class can also be graded as well upon request of the parent or guardian.  
Grades Offered

Hart-Davis, A. (2015). History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day. Dorling Kindersley Limited, a Penguin Random House Company. 

Overy, R. J. (2015). The Times Complete History of the World. Times Books. 

Spielvogel, J. J. (2014). Discovering our past: a history of the world. In Discovering Our Past: A History of the World (4th ed., pp. 108–345), McGraw-Hill Education.