Mrs Tomson Social Studies 6 Course Outline

tomsonm@albanyacademies.org Room 36

Course Summary:

An introduction to World History and Geography, this course is the second year of the Academy history program that seeks to develop in students the skills and habits of historians. Instruction in key communication, study and research skills is prioritized. This course introduces students to in-depth study of world religions and philosophy, empires, exploration and colonization, and to the practice of history. Geography skills, including map reading, chart making and economics will form a key part of the curriculum. Units will include hands-on activities, group and individual projects and a field experience. The year will culminate with a Renaissance Faire produced and performed by the 6^th grade class.

Outline:

I. DEFINING CULTURE AND HISTORY

A. How do we learn about the past?

Artifacts, sources, perspective

B. Universal elements of culture: learning cross cultural communication and mis-communication

C. World religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism

II. DEFINING THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY:

Location

Region

Place

Movement

Interaction

Map skills: Middle East, Asia, Europe

III. GUIDING THEMES OF STUDY:

GUIDING CONCEPTS VOCABULARY: Each of these five questions will be looked at for each historical period of time we study. The Golden Age of China is first.

1. Geography: how did physical geography affect the development of societies around the world?

2. History: how have societies around the world been shaped by their history?

3. Culture: what were the belief systems and patterns of daily life in those societies?

4. Government/Political structure: what types of government were formed in those societies?

5. Economic structure: how did each society organize its economic activities?

IV. TOPICS:

CULTURE

WORLD RELIGIONS

MEDIEVAL CHINA

MEDIEVAL EUROPE

RENAISSANCE

AGE OF EXPLORATION

V. RENAISSANCE FAIRE

The Sixth Grade class will produce and perform a traditional Renaissance Faire in May 2009!

VI. GIRL ACROSS TIME

1. Who are the "girls" we meet from history?  Looking at the 12 year old girl across time and place - defining her culture, geography, and history.

2. comparisons made between "girls" in Medieval China, 20th century China, Medieval Europe, Renaissance Europe, the present and the future

             Students will read literature in their Language Arts class thatwill coordinate with their learning of history

                a. Future: The Giver

                b. Present: TBA

                c. Medieval China: Bound

                d. Modern China: Chinese Cinderella

                e. Medieval Europe: Catherine Called Birdy

                f. Renaissance: individual research papers