The overall goal of Grade 6 Social Studies is to foster in students a greater awareness of the world around them. This is done through a study of geography and various “case studies” of particular locations or concepts in the historical and contemporary world. Students will learn about the basics of geography, including latitude and longitude and different types of maps. Students will then examine concepts related to physical and human geography, such as climate regions, natural resources, population distribution, and migration. To demonstrate their knowledge of these concepts students will create their own island that includes a variety of geographical features. The next unit has students use primary and secondary sources to investigate the question “How Did the Nile Shape Ancient Egypt?” Students respond to this question in a 5 paragraph essay. Students then will read the realistic fiction novel Peak, focusing on geographical features and cultural elements of Mount Everest and the surrounding region. Finally, students will investigate economic concepts in an inquiry unit based on the question “What is the Real Cost of Bananas?”
