Stearns: Social Studies Grade 6

Teaching Historical Thinking

Transferable Thinking Skills

Cause & Effect• What were the causes of past events?• What were the effects?•Who or what made change happen?•Who supported change?•Who did not support change?•Which effects were intended?•Which effects were accidental?•How did events affect people’s lives, community, and the world?

Change & Continuity•What has changed? • What has remained the same?•Who has benefited from this change?• And why?• Who has not benefited?• And why?

Turning Points

• How did past decisions or actions affect future choices?

•How did decisions or actions narrow or eliminate choices for people?• How did decisions or actions significantly transform people’s lives?

Using the Past

• How does the past help us make sense of the present?•How is the past similar to the present?•How is the past different from the present?• What can we learn from the past?

Through Their Eyes

•How did people in the past view their world?• How did their worldview affect their choices and actions?•What values, skills and forms of knowledge did people need to succeed?

Chapters in TCI History Alive: Ancient Worldwww.teachtci.com

Unit 1 - Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization

Chapter 1: Investigating the Past… lab Chapter 3: From Hunters and Gatherers to Farmers...Chapter 4: The Rise of Sumerian City-States Chapter 5: Was Ancient Sumer a Civilization?

Unit 2 - Ancient Egypt and the Near East

Chapter 7: Geography and the Early Settlement of Egypt Chapter 8: The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs Chapter 9: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt Chapter 11: The Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism Chapter 12: The Struggle to Preserve Judaism Unit 3 - Ancient India

Unit 3 - Ancient India

Chapter 13: Geography and the Early Settlement of India Chapter 15: Learning About Hindu Beliefs Chapter 16: The Story of Buddhism Chapter 17: Buddhism and the Unification of India

Unit 4 - Ancient China Chapter 19: Geography and the Early Settlement of China Chapter 20: The Shang Dynasty Chapter 21: Three Chinese Philosophies Chapter 23: The Han Dynasty Chapter 24: The Silk Road

Unit 5 - Ancient Greece

Chapter 25: Geography and the Settlement of Greece Chapter 26: The Rise of Democracy Chapter 31: The Legacy of Ancient Greece

Unit 6 - Ancient Rome

Chapter 32: Geography and the Early Development of Rome Chapter 33: The Rise of the Roman Republic Chapter 34: From Republic to Empire Chapter 36: The Origins and Spread of Christianity

Unit 7- Medieval Time Period…

Chapter ____ and ____ (Green Book):How does Islam fit in to our study of religion?

Dear Families,

We, Berkshire, looks forward to working with you with the single purpose of sharing what learning is all about during the “Middle School” years.

As an educator for over 32 years and a father of two grown adult children...I get the difference in “mind-set” between elementary school and middle school. We need to point students in similar directions as elementary school with one KEY difference…

In elementary school it is the teacher that leads. In middle school this flips slowly in sixth grade. The student needs to embrace their learning, own their choices, and acknowledge the truth about the consequences of their choices.

Middle school is a “Dress Rehersal” for life. It is the ONE and only time where

we will teach curriculum and what it means to learn and own one’s learning.

The curriculum is not the hard part. It is getting students to OWN their decision and learning. Once a student has this under control and is willing to take ownership of their learning… AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2018/08/31/to-raise-independent-kids-treat-middle-school-like-a-dress-rehearsal-for-life/?utm_term=.1169d006cf90&wpisrc=nl_parent&wpmm=1

I look forward to working with you this year and sharing curriculum and life skills with your child.

My goal is to help your child be all that he or she strives to be…

Should you find the need to have a family conference with me before school, I will have an electronic sign up posted on our class page (Berkshire’s website)... These are family meetings to support your child… 7:45 AM-8:05AM.

Best Regards,Jim Stearns