Social Studies
In 6th grade we begin our studies of world cultures, history, and geography by taking a close look at the Western Hemisphere. Our focus will be on Middle and South America, and of course, Canada. All of our hard work will culminate in our trip to Toronto to experience what it is like to be an international traveler!
During the course of the year we will use a Junior Achievement model to study basic economic concepts. This unit includes a trip to experience economics in action.
Geo-Alive Textbook Pages
World Knowledge Sites
National Geographic Bee Competition - We will compete in the school competition in January. Bee ready!
Google Earth - a great place to learn to navigate the world.
Traveler IQ Game - try to see how close you can get to these locations. This is a great way to build your knowledge!
CIA World Factbook - Detailed data and information about nations of the world
Map Games
Choose any link below, select your region of study, and practice, practice, practice...
Canada's Provinces and Territories Mapping Game
Sheppard Software
Lizard Point Games
World Map Match Game
Surf Net Kids
Play Kids' Games
Ancient Civilizations
Maya
Mrs. M's Maya Civilization websites:
http://www.ballgame.org
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/collapse/copan/index.php
http://www.jaguar-sun.com/links.html
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Ancient_Civilizations/Mayans/
http://www.michielb.nl/maya
http://niti.org/mayan/lesson.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/maya
http://www.mayadiscovery.com/
Mrs. N's Maya Civilization Websites:
:http://www.history.com/topics/maya
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Maya_Civilization/
http://www.indians.org/welker/maya.htm
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc01eng.shtml
http://www.digitalmeesh.com/maya/history.htm
http://mayas.mrdonn.org/
http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_culture.htm
Inca
Mrs. M's Inca Civilization websites:
http://sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html
Mrs. N's Inca Civilization websites:
http://www.ushistory.org/civ/11c.asp
http://incas.mrdonn.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/lost-inca-empire.html
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/amalitzkego/alex-solorzano/ancient_vacations/incas/incas.htm
http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.htmlhttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/04/inca-empire/pringle-text
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/5-ancient-incan-inventions.htm
Aztec
Mrs. M's Aztec Civilization websites:
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/nettsch/time/aztec.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm
http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/latinamerica/topics/games.html
Mrs. N's Aztec Civilization websites:
http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs
http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs
http://www.indians.org/welker/aztec.htm
http://aztecs.mrdonn.org/
http://listverse.com/2013/02/21/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-aztecs/
http://history.howstuffworks.com/central-american-history/aztecs1.htm
http://www.allabouthistory.org/aztec-civilization.htm
During the course of the year we will use a Junior Achievement model to study basic economic concepts. This unit includes a trip to experience economics in action.
Geo-Alive Textbook Pages
World Knowledge Sites
National Geographic Bee Competition - We will compete in the school competition in January. Bee ready!
Google Earth - a great place to learn to navigate the world.
Traveler IQ Game - try to see how close you can get to these locations. This is a great way to build your knowledge!
CIA World Factbook - Detailed data and information about nations of the world
Map Games
Choose any link below, select your region of study, and practice, practice, practice...
Canada's Provinces and Territories Mapping Game
Sheppard Software
Lizard Point Games
World Map Match Game
Surf Net Kids
Play Kids' Games
Ancient Civilizations
Maya
Mrs. M's Maya Civilization websites:
http://www.ballgame.org
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/collapse/copan/index.php
http://www.jaguar-sun.com/links.html
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Ancient_Civilizations/Mayans/
http://www.michielb.nl/maya
http://niti.org/mayan/lesson.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/maya
http://www.mayadiscovery.com/
Mrs. N's Maya Civilization Websites:
:http://www.history.com/topics/maya
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Maya_Civilization/
http://www.indians.org/welker/maya.htm
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc01eng.shtml
http://www.digitalmeesh.com/maya/history.htm
http://mayas.mrdonn.org/
http://www.authenticmaya.com/maya_culture.htm
Inca
Mrs. M's Inca Civilization websites:
http://sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html
Mrs. N's Inca Civilization websites:
http://www.ushistory.org/civ/11c.asp
http://incas.mrdonn.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/lost-inca-empire.html
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/amalitzkego/alex-solorzano/ancient_vacations/incas/incas.htm
http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.htmlhttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/04/inca-empire/pringle-text
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/5-ancient-incan-inventions.htm
Aztec
Mrs. M's Aztec Civilization websites:
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/nettsch/time/aztec.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm
http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/latinamerica/topics/games.html
Mrs. N's Aztec Civilization websites:
http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs
http://www.history.com/topics/aztecs
http://www.indians.org/welker/aztec.htm
http://aztecs.mrdonn.org/
http://listverse.com/2013/02/21/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-aztecs/
http://history.howstuffworks.com/central-american-history/aztecs1.htm
http://www.allabouthistory.org/aztec-civilization.htm
Reading Apprenticeship in Social Studies...
Reading in the Content Areas
We use a research-based apprenticeship approach to teaching reading in all of the content areas. The emphasis is on helping students to be aware of what they are thinking as they read, and sharing strategies that help them make sense of the text. These are skills that students will continue to use as they move on to high school and college level texts.
Information about this approach and ways parents can support their children can be found at this site: Reading Apprenticeship for Parents
For specific details on how this might look in middle school social studies or science classes, take a look at the U.S. Department of Education website on Adolescent Literacy - Doing What Works.
We use a research-based apprenticeship approach to teaching reading in all of the content areas. The emphasis is on helping students to be aware of what they are thinking as they read, and sharing strategies that help them make sense of the text. These are skills that students will continue to use as they move on to high school and college level texts.
Information about this approach and ways parents can support their children can be found at this site: Reading Apprenticeship for Parents
For specific details on how this might look in middle school social studies or science classes, take a look at the U.S. Department of Education website on Adolescent Literacy - Doing What Works.