6th Grade World History: Early Humans to the Renaissance

Dates / Topic / Priority Standards / Essential Questions
2 to 3 days / Orientation and Assessment
8- 10 days / Human Geography / 6.G.1.3 Compare distinguishing characteristics of various world regions.
6.G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies, and regions.
6.G.2.2 Construct maps, charts and graphs to explain data about geographic phenomena.
6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time. /
  • How does the physical environment influence how people live?
  • How do humans organize themselves when they live together in large groups?



10 – 14 days / Early Humans / 6.H.1.2 Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.
6.H.1.3 Use primary and secondary sources to interpret various historical perspectives.
6.G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions.
6.C&G.1.4 Compare the role and evolution of laws and legal systems in various civilizations, societies and regions. /
  • How does the availability or scarcity of resources affect migration and settlement of people?
  • Why do people living in large groups or societies need laws and law enforcement?



2 weeks / Ancient China / 6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and technology changed areas over time.
6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations have used, modified and adapted to their environments.
6.C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for and responsibilities of citizenship. /
  • How does a civilization’s environment affect its achievements and technology?


10 – 14 days / Ancient India / 6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and technology changed areas over time.
6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations have used, modified and adapted to their environments. /
  • How do changes in culture affect the development of technology and achievements?



10 - 14 days / Egypt and Mesopotamia / 6.H.2.2 Compare historical & contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change.
6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and technology changed areas over time.
6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations have used, modified and adapted to their environments.
6.C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilization. /
  • How do technology and achievements reflect the values of civilizations and societies?
  • How do developments in technology affect relationships between civilizations?


18 -21 days / Ancient Greece / 6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected societies, civilizations and regions.
6.C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and sources of government systems.
6.C&G.1.2 Summarize ideas that shaped political thought.
6.C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for and responsibilities of citizenship. /
  • How does the need for order give rise to forms of government?
  • What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens in societies?


10 – 14 days / Ancient Rome / 6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected societies, civilizations and regions.
6.C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and sources of government systems.
6.C&G.1.2 Summarize ideas that shaped political thought.
6.C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for and responsibilities of citizenship. /
  • How does the need for order give rise to forms of government?
  • What causes civilizations to expand and collapse?
  • What are the requirements for citizenship in societies?


14 – 21 days / Islam and Muslim Empire / 6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected societies, civilizations and regions.
6.C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and sources of government systems.
6.C&G.1.2 Summarize ideas that shaped political thought.
6.C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for and responsibilities of citizenship. /
  • How do civilizations expand?
  • How does religion influence societies politically, economically, and socially?
  • What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens in societies?


10 – 14 days / Culture and Kingdoms of Africa / 6.E.1.1 Explain how conflict, compromise, and negotiation over resources impacts economic development.
6.E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices. /
  • How does control over resources lead to economic and political power over a region?
  • How does movement of goods and people spread cultural influence?


7 – 10 days / Classical India / 6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed societies
6.C.1.3 Summarize system of social structure within various civilizations /
  • How did religion influence the way people lived their lives?
  • How did religion and social structure influence political systems?
  • How did a civilizations culture reflect its values?


10 – 14 days / Imperial China / 6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, migrations affected societies, civilizations, and regions.
6.E.1.1 Explain how conflict, compromise, and negotiation over resources impacts economic development.
6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed societies.
6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations. /
  • How do philosophy and beliefs influence societies and governments?
  • How does control over resources and regulation of trade lead to economic power over a region?


10 – 14 days / Feudal Japan / 6.G.1.1 Explain how physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions.
6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations. /
  • How do the physical features of a region influence the development of civilization?
  • How does the distribution of resources impact social structure and the empowerment of certain groups?


12 – 21 days / Medieval Europe / 6.G.1.2Explain the factors that influenced movement of people, goods and ideas and effects of that movement
6.C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations.
6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed societies
6.C.1.3 Summarize system of social structure within various civilizations /
  • How did the distribution of wealth affect societal structure and quality of life during the Medieval Times?
  • How did the religious beliefs during this time influence government decisions?
  • What positive and negative effects did movement have on people, goods and ideas?


14- 21 days / Review for MSL and EOG

Adapted from