In sixth grade Social Studies, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:

• History
• Geography
• Civics
• Economics

Students:

• explain the significance of the following units of study as they relate to United States History: Ancient West African Empires, European exploration, American Indian cultures, colonization and revolution, Constitution, growth and change, the Civil War, and Reconstruction
  
• study the impact of exploration on the American Indian peoples
  
• describe the characteristics of the ancient cultures of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay and their interactions with traders
  
• describe the characteristics, motivations, and contributions of people throughout different periods in American history
  
• identify the cultures and lifestyles of diverse groups and their contributions to the development of America
  
• research, interpret, and draw conclusions from historical information using literature, technology, and primary sources
  
• apply strategies for organizing, analyzing, and communicating information pertaining to American history and for integrating concepts learned
  
  

back to top

Geography

Students:

• apply understanding of concepts and terminology of physical and human geography to draw conclusions and make informed decisions regarding issues such as migration, travel routes, and land use in the United States
  
• apply map elements such as latitude, longitude, scale, and directionality to create maps and identify geographic regions and bodies of water of the United States
  
• use maps to study patterns of movement of people, products, and information as they relate to the history of the United States and the ancient West African empires
  
• use maps to locate where various culture groups settled in the United States
  
• demonstrate understanding that the geography and environment of a country influence its historic, economic, political, and cultural development
  
• interpret maps to draw conclusions about the interactions between people and the environment

back to top

Civics

Students:

• demonstrate respect for the American flag by saying the Pledge of Allegiance
  
• apply the democratic process to solve classroom, school, and community problems
  
• study the historical significance of important documents to understand how the beliefs and values incorporated within them are still reflected in today’s government
  
• study the three branches of government, including the concept of checks and balances, to understand how the American democratic system works
  
• explain how the governments of past civilizations have influenced the ideas developed in the American Constitution
  
  

back to top

Economics

Students:

• analyze how trade was significant to the economy of the ancient West African empires
  
• describe the evolution of the United States economic system
  
• understand how a variety of economic issues affected events in United States history
  
• identify the natural resources available in various regions of the United States
  
• compare and contrast economic factors of the Virginia colony and other colonies
  
• study economic issues of the American Revolution and the Civil War