World Geography and Archeology
6th Grade Road Map
The sixth grade curriculum for Social Studiesfocuses on the study of geography and archaeology as students “visit” and learn about places around the world through the disciplines of geography and archeology. Students learn to employ the “habits of thinking” of geographers and archeologists as they encounter problems and issues in these fields throughout the modern world and world history. Learning the fundamentals of these disciplines in Grade Six will establish the foundation essential for students to acquire future knowledge in the Social Studies.
The course of study begins with the examination of places in the world through the eyes of a geographer. By looking at cities around the world using the Five Themes of Geography students learn that geography is not only about location on the earth’s surface. Geography also includes the definition of regions, the examination of the ways in which people, goods, and ideas move from place to place, the unique features that make one place different from every other place on earth, and the relationship between people and their environment. By learning to “think like a geographer” students attain a strategy with which to approach the study of any unfamiliar place. As they progress through the curriculum students approach the study of the land, people, and cultures of the world using the tools of the geographer.
As they study cultures around the world, sixth grade students learn to “think like an archaeologist.” Archaeologists examine artifacts, objects made by people and used by people, to discover information about ancient cultures. By using the tools of an archaeologist, students have the means with which to examine unfamiliar cultures and to form and test hypotheses. Sixth grade students are introduced to the discipline of archaeology through a study of the ancient Maya people of Latin America. They have the opportunity to study the work of professional archaeologists and compare the archaeologists’ theories with their own. As the curriculum progresses students use the toolkit developed in their study of the Maya and apply the same set of skills as they approach the study of ancient cultures in Asia and East Africa.
The Roadmap for the Grade Six Geography & Archeology curriculum provides students with an overview of geography and cultures of the world. Through the study of the disciplines of geography and archaeology students attain the tools necessary for continued acquisition of knowledge.

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FIRST MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 1
The Five Themes of Geography

Suggested Pacing:
5 weeks
Grading Period 1
Weeks 1-5
Culminating Project
Students will use student products from each module to write an essay describing a selected city based on the Five Themes of Geography.
Students will present their work to the class. / Module 1
  • How does a geographer use the Five Themes of Geography to study the world around us?
Module 2
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions?
  • How does the location of a place on the surface of the earth influence the way in which people live?
Module 3
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions?
  • What are the effects of movement on the characteristics of a place?
Module 4
  • How are places within regions connected?
Module 5
  • How do human actions modify the environment?
  • How do physical characteristics of a place affect human activities?
/ Focus Content
The Five Themes of Geography and the work of a geographer
  • Location
  • Place
  • Movement
  • Regions
  • Human/Environment Interaction
Skills
  • Label a map
  • Use a geographic grid
  • Interpret maps
  • Interpret graphs
  • Create a chart
  • Write a descriptive paragraph
  • Employ research skills
  • Write an essay
  • Give a presentation
Student Products
  • Label an outline map of the world.
  • Write a paragraph to describe the location of a given city.
  • Create a chart.
  • Write a paragraph to describe a given city in terms of place.
  • Write a paragraph to describe a given city in terms of movement.
  • Label a map of the regions of the U.S.
  • Write a paragraph to describe a given city in terms of region.
  • Write a paragraph to describe a given city in terms of human/environment interaction.

FIRST MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 2
The United States and Canada

Suggested Pacing:
4 weeks
Grading Period 1
Weeks 6-9
Culminating Project
Students will work in groups and use information from each module, along with additional research, to plan a tour of six regions of the United States and Canada. Students will present their work to the class. / Modules 1 & 2
  • What can different kinds of maps tell us about the earth?
  • How has physical geography determined where people live in the United States and Canada?
  • How do the physical characteristics of each region of the United States and Canada affect human activities there?
Module 2
  • How and why have humans modified their environments in the United States and Canada in the 20th century?
Module 3
  • What is the relationship between culture and immigration? How have immigrants to the U.S. and Canada created multicultural communities in the 20th century?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of the United States and Canada and the work of a geographer
  • Introduction to the geography of the United States and Canada
  • Humans modifying the environment in the U.S. and Canada
  • Relationship between culture and immigration in the U.S. and Canada
Skills
  • Read and interpret physical and political maps.
  • Interpret a resource map.
  • Create a timeline.
  • Analyze data.
  • Employ research skills.
  • Prepare and give a presentation.
Student Products
  • Label an outline map of the United States.
  • Label an outline map of Canada.
  • Write a paragraph to compare the sizes and locations of the U.S. and Canada.
  • Write a public service announcement
  • Create a visual mosaic.

SECOND MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 3
Introduction to Latin America; Introduction to Archeology

Suggested Pacing:
5 weeks
Grading Period 2
Weeks 1-5
Culminating Project
Each student will write an essay describing his/her theory as to what happened to the ancient Maya cities. / Module 1
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Latin America?
Module 2
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how people lived in the past?
Module 3
  • What happened to the ancient Maya civilization?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Latin America and the work of an archeologist
  • Introduction to the geography of Latin America
  • Introduction to the work of an archeologist
  • Investigation of archeologists’ theories as to what happened to the ancient Maya
Skills
  • Read and interpret physical and political maps
  • Interpret climate and vegetation maps
  • Use the tools of an archeologist
  • Interpret stelae
  • Analyze data
  • Employ research skills
  • Form an hypothesis
Student Products
  • Label an outline map of Latin America; identify the regions
  • Write a paragraph to compare the sizes and locations of the U.S. and Latin America.
  • Keep an archeological notebook.
  • Create a stela.
  • Create a chart.
  • Complete a graphic organizer.
  • Write an essay.

SECOND MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 4
Latin America

Suggested Pacing:
4 weeks
Grading Period 2
Weeks 6-9
Culminating Project
Each student will write a letter to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, to persuade him to enact laws that will save the Amazon Rainforest from destruction.
/ Module 1
  • How has geography influenced the ways in which Latin Americans make a living?
  • What problems are faced by Latin American countries with a one-resource economy?
Module 2
  • How has geography influenced the ways in which Latin Americans make a living?
  • How has geography influenced the cultural diversity of the Caribbean nations?
Module 3
  • How has geography influenced the ways in which Latin Americans make a living?
  • How can Brazil support sustainable use and development of rainforest resources?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Latin America and the ways in which geography has helped shaped the economy and culture there.
  • Middle America and the problems associated with a one-resource economy.
  • Caribbean Islands and how the geographic theme of movement has influenced cultural diversity there.
  • Investigation of the Amazon Rainforest and sustainable use and development of rainforest resources.
Skills
  • Read and interpret resource maps.
  • Create a chart.
  • Interpret graphs.
  • Analyze data on supply and demand.
  • Respond to literature.
  • Employ research skills.
  • Form a hypothesis.
Student Products
  • Data summary
  • Latin American Resource chart
  • Perform a play.
  • Problem/Solution chart
  • Label an outline map of the Caribbean Islands.
  • Informational poster of a Caribbean island
  • Make a presentation.
  • Label an outline map of South America.
  • Create a chart.
  • Complete Rainforest Challenges.
  • Complete a graphic organizer.
  • Write a Problem/Solution letter to the President of Brazil.

THIRD MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 5
Geography of Africa

Suggested Pacing:
5 weeks
Grading Period 3
Weeks 1-5
Culminating Project
Students will prepare a PowerPoint, a videotaped broadcast, or a live presentation to inform a television viewing audience about an African nation that is in crisis.
/ Module 1
How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
Module 2
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
  • How has North Africa’s location contributed tocultural diffusion?
  • How has the environment of the Sahara influenced the way of life of the Tuareg?
Module 3
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
  • How and why have the traditions of West Africa so greatly influenced American culture?
Module 4
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
  • How has movement affected the region of East Africa?
Module 5
  • How do human actions modify the environment?
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Africa?
  • How did South Africans build a new nation after apartheid?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Africa and the ways in which geography has helped shaped the culture there.
  • Introduction to the geography of Africa.
  • North Africa and how the themes of region and movement have contributed to cultural diffusion there.
  • West Africa and its influence on culture in the U.S.
  • East Africa and how civil war has affected the lives of the people there.
  • Central and South Africa and the rebuilding after apartheid.
Skills
  • Read and interpret maps.
  • Create charts.
  • Respond to literature.
  • Analyze data on immigration.
  • Employ research skills.
  • Analyze photographs.
  • Analyze a primary document.
Student Products
  • Label political outline maps.
  • Country Data chart
  • Label a physical map.
  • Regions and Physical Features chart
  • How Does Environment Impact Culture chart.
  • Create a poster.
  • Write and tell a story.
  • Complete a cloropleth map.
  • Create a brochure.
  • Create a Venn diagram.
  • Complete a timeline.
  • Read and interpret a speech.
  • Prepare and deliver a television news broadcast.

THIRD MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 6
Archeological Study Based in Africa

Suggested Pacing:
4 weeks
Grading Period 3
Weeks 6-9
Culminating Project
Students will work in teams and will use their knowledge of the geography of Africa, apply their skills as archeologists, and develop theories about what they would expect to find on an archeological expedition in an assigned region of Africa. / Module 1
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how people lived in the past?
  • If an ancient civilization did not have a written language, what are some of the ways that we can know about their culture?
Module 2
  • If an ancient civilization did not have a written language, what are some of the ways that we can know about their culture?
Module 3
  • What and how do we know about the ancient Aksum civilization? What happened to this civilization?
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how people lived in the past?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Africa and the work of an archeologist
  • Introduction to the geography of Latin America
  • Further study of the work of an archeologist
  • Development of archeologicalknowledge of ancient civilizations in Africa
Skills
  • Use Artifact Analysis Tool.
  • Use archeological evidence to make inferences and draw conclusions.
  • Use Artwork Analysis Tool
  • Analyze and interpret murals.
  • Employ research skills.
  • Analyze and interpret symbolism on coins.
  • Make connections among civilizations.
  • Compare and contrast sources.
Student Products
  • Complete Artifact Analysis Tool.
  • Identify and analyze innovation and invention.
  • Map the route of ironwork in Africa.
  • Identify cultural diffusion.
  • Analyze murals.
  • Write a paragraph describing the transformation of survival skills in early Africa.
  • Analyze rock art.
  • Compare texts.
  • Analyze coins.
  • Design a coin.
  • Create a museum display.

FOURTH MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 7
Geographical / Archeological Exploration of Asia

Suggested Pacing:
4.5 weeks
Grading Period 4
Weeks 1-5
Culminating Project
Students will work with partners or in small groups to use the knowledge gained during Unit 7 to create a business proposal identifying a country in Asia for American business investment. Students will write an introduction and conclusion for their business proposal. Supporting information will be provided by the inclusion of information learned throughout Unit 7 as well as additional research where necessary. / Module 1
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Asia and the Pacific?
  • How do physical characteristics of East Asia affect human activities there? How have human actions modified the environment in China?
Module 2
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how people lived in India in the past? Why is it important to preserve these sites?
  • How do the availability of natural resources and the surrounding environment affect the lives of the people of Southwest Asia?
  • How have human actions modified the environment in order to sustain agriculture in Central Asia? What have the consequences been?
Module 3
  • How do the countries of Southeast Asia and the Pacific depend upon their diverse natural resources to support their people?
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how Aboriginal people lived in Australia in the past? Why is it important to preserve these sites?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Asia and the Pacific and the work of an archeologist
  • Introduction to the geography of Asia and the Pacific
  • Geographical study of Asia and the Pacific using the Five Themes of Geography
  • Archeological investigation into ancient civilizations in Asia and the Pacific
Skills
  • Read and interpret physical and political maps.
  • Evaluate points of view.
  • Write an opinion paper.
  • Interpret charts.
  • Interpret a political cartoon.
  • Identify the relationship between physical geography and resources.
  • Use the tools of an archeologist.
  • Evaluate a first-person account.
  • Employ research skills.
Student Products
  • Label an outline map of Asia and the Pacific; identify the regions.
  • Role play a point of view.
  • Write a paragraph stating an opinion.
  • Identify the impact of physical features on people.
  • Identify the impact of the oil industry on Southwest Asia and the world.
  • Complete Photograph Analysis Tool.
  • Complete Country Data Chart.
  • Analyze cave art.
  • Write a business proposal.

FOURTH MARKING PERIOD
UNIT / OVERARCHING QUESTIONS / FOCUS CONTENT AND SKILLS/STUDENT PRODUCTS
UNIT 8
Geographical / Archeological Exploration of Europe

Suggested Pacing:
4.5 weeks
Grading period 4
Weeks 5-9
Culminating Project
Students will study the function and workings of the European Union. Acting as advisors to non-European Union nations, students will write position papers advising a non-EU nation whether or not to join the European Union. / Module 1
  • How are maps used to answer geographic questions about Europe?
  • How do the waterways of Western Europe impact the lives of the people who live there?
Module 2
  • What kinds of clues do archeologists use to understand how people lived in Pompeii and Ancient Rome?
Module 3
  • How do the people of Eastern Europe utilize their natural resources?
/ Focus Content
The Geography of Europe and the work of an archeologist
  • Introduction to the geography of Europe
  • Geographical study of Europe using the Five Themes of Geography
  • Archeological investigation into ancient civilizations in Europe
Skills
  • Read and interpret physical and political maps.
  • Understand the role of point of view in identifying regions.
  • Identify the role of physical geography on the lives of people.
  • Use the tools of an archeologist.
  • Analyze a primary document.
  • Compare and contrast landscapes.
  • Employ research skills.
Student Products
  • Label an outline map of Europe; identify the regions.
  • Complete a chart of physical features.
  • Complete a description of a city and the impact of its waterway.
  • Complete Artifact Analysis Tool.
  • Complete Art Analysis Tool.
  • Complete Primary Source Analysis.
  • Complete a resource chart.
  • Write a position paper.

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6th Grade World Geography & Archaeology– Road Map (2011-2012)