6

th
Grade Social Studies
World Cultures



1
st
6 weeks:
World Geography, Cultures and Governments

2
nd
6 weeks:
Southwest Asia and North Africa

3
rd
6 weeks:
South & East Asia

4
th
6 weeks:
Europe, Russia, and the Eurasian Republics

5
th
6 weeks:
Sub-SaharanAfrica

6
th
6 weeks:
The Americas
Australia & the Pacific

Grade 6 World Cultures

A study of World Cultures Grade 6 explores
the following essential questions:

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems, religious beliefs
influence life in a given region of the world?

Why do people live where they live? How
does where we live affect how we live?

Why and how do people govern themselves
as they do?

What is the nature of citizenship in a
given place or region?


TOPIC: World Geography, Cultures, and Governments




BIG IDEA: By studying societies both similar to and different from their own, students will
be able to compare institutions that the worlds people have in common.
























TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:
6.3A Create thematic maps, graphs, charts, models, and databases depicting various aspects of world regions and countries
such as population, disease, and economic activities
6.3B Pose and answer questions about geographic distributions and patters for selected world regions and countries shown on
maps, graphs, charts, and models
6.3C Compare selected world regions and countries using data from maps, graphs, charts, databases, and models
6.5A Explain factors such as location, physical features, transportation corridors and barriers, and distribution of natural
resources that influence the economic development and foreign policies of societies
6.6A Describe and explain how physical processes such as erosion, ocean circulation, and earthquakes have resulted in
physical patterns on Earths surface
6.6C Analyze the effects of physical processes and the physical environment on humans
6.11A Describe characteristics of limited and unlimited government
6.11B Identify examples of limited and unlimited governments
6.11C Identify reasons for limiting the power of government
6.11D Compare limited and unlimited governments
6.12A Identify alternative ways of organizing governments such as rule by one, few, or many
6.12B Identify examples of governments with rule by one, few, or many
6.12D Compare how governments function in selected world societies such as China, Germany, India, and Russia
6.13A Describe the roles and responsibilities of citizens in selected contemporary societies including the United States
6.13B Explain how opportunities for citizens to participate in and influence the political process vary among selected
contemporary societies
6.13C Compare the role of citizens in the U.S. with the role of citizens from selected democratic and nondemocratic
contemporary societies
6.14 A Identify and explain the importance of voluntary civic participation in democratic societies
6.14B Explain relationships among rights and responsibilities in democratic societies
6.22A Use social studies terminology correctly


















Students will know:

The definition of culture
Different governments of the world
Different economies of the world
Basic geography skills
Major geographic features of the
world
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems, religious
beliefs influence life in a given region of
the world?
Why do people live where they live? How
does where we live affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in a given
place or region?
U UN ND DE ER RS ST TA AN ND DI IN NG GS S
Learners will understand:

Many factors make up world cultures
Cultures change over time for many different
reasons
The concepts of limited and unlimited
government
A global view of the world is necessary
today


Student will do:

Define and illustrate the concept of culture
Compare and contrast limited and
unlimited governments
Summarize the different world economies
Review basic map skills, terms, and
concepts
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the world
TOPIC: Southwest Asia and North Africa





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of southwest Asia and North Africa are influenced by
their histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:
















UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:

Historical challenges faced by the
peoples of the region
Historical conflicts of the region
Geography of the region
How civilization began in this region
of the world
Religion is a vital part of the culture
and government.


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems,
religious beliefs influence life in a
given region of the world?
Why do people live where they
live? How does where we live
affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in
a given place or region?







Students will know:

Three major religions of the region
How the geography of the region
influences the economy
How past civilizations have
contributed to our own culture
Major geographic features of the
region
Student will do:

J eds and Pads Activity
Compare / contrast the major religions
of the world
Analyze the importance of the Nile
River to the region
Define limited and unlimited
governments and analyze their effects
on the region
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the area
TOPIC: South and East Asia





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of south and east Asia are influenced by their
histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:
















UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:

Challenges faced by the peoples of
the region
A large percentage of the worlds
population lives in this region
The religions, economies, and
governments of selected countries of
this region, such as China, J apan,
India, and North and South Korea


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems,
religious beliefs influence life in a
given region of the world?
Why do people live where they
live? How does where we live
affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in
a given place or region?







Students will know:

The 4 major religions of the region
The effect of population density on
daily life
The governments and economies of
the region
Major geographic features of the
region
Student will do:

Compare / contrast the religion of
Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and
Confucianism
Create a visual interpretation of the
economies and governments of the region
Explain the impact of interactions between
people and the physical environment
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the region
TOPIC: Europe, Russia, and the Eurasian Republics





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of Europe, Russia, and the Eurasian Republics are
influenced by their histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:














UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:
Challenges faced by the peoples of the
region
How history influenced the development
of the cultures and governments of the
region
The rise of Christianity in the region
The economies of the region
The development and role of the
European Union
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems, religious
beliefs influence life in a given
region of the world?
Why do people live where they live?
How does where we live affect how we
live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in a
given place or region?









Students will know:
Significant accomplishments of the
Greek culture
The Roman system of government
and laws
Importance of the Magna Carta
The impact of the Industrial
Revolution
Conflicts in the region throughout
history
The rise and fall of communism
The major geographic features of the
region.
Student will do:
Identify the contributions of the Greeks
and Romans
Identify the impact of the Magna Carta
Explain how the Industrial Revolution led
to social change
Trace the development of the European
Union
Compare / contrast the governments of the
region throughout history
Define communism and understand the
factors leading to its rise and fall
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the area
TOPIC: Sub-Sahara Africa





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of Sub-Saharan Africa are influenced by their
histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:
















UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:

Challenges faced by the peoples
of the region, both past and
present
Political and economic
difficulties caused by Africas
colonial past



ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems,
religious beliefs influence life in a
given region of the world?
Why do people live where they
live? How does where we live
affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in
a given place or region?







Students will know:

Challenges of the region,
especially desertification, natural
resources, and wildlife
Factors preventing the region from
reaching its potential
Apartheid
The major geographic features of
the region
Student will do:

Explain the causes and effects of
conflicts of the region
Describe the major challenges
currently facing the countries of the
region
Define apartheid and explain its lasting
effects
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the area
TOPIC: The Americas





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of North and South America are influenced by their
histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:
















UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:

The peoples of the Americas
and the challenges they face
The political, economic, and
social characteristics of North
and South America
The diversity of cultures within
the Americas


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems,
religious beliefs influence life in a
given region of the world?
Why do people live where they
live? How does where we live
affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in
a given place or region?







Students will know:

Know the relative size and location of
North and South America
Current issues affecting countries in
North and South America, such as
immigration and drug smuggling
The major geographic features of the
region.
Student will do:

Compare / contrast the physical,
economic, and social characteristics of
the Americas
Create a visual comparing North and
South America
Debate the current issues facing
Canada, Mexico and the United States
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the area
TOPIC: Australia and the Pacific Islands





BIG IDEA: The contemporary societies of Australia and the Pacific Islands are influenced by
their histories, their geographies, their governments, and their cultures.


















TEKS Knowledge Statement:

TEKS Skill Statements:























Students will know:

How geography affects the people of
Australia and New Zealand and their
relationships with other countries
The environmental issues that affect
Australia and New Zealand
The major geographic features of the
region
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

In what ways do cultural elements
economics, political systems,
religious beliefs influence life in a
given region of the world?
Why do people live where they
live? How does where we live
affect how we live?
Why and how do people govern
themselves as they do?
What is the nature of citizenship in
a given place or region?
UNDERSTANDINGS
Learners will understand:

Wildlife and vegetation is unique to
this region
How historical events have
influenced the people of Australia
The government and economy of
Australia
The challenges faced by the people of
Australia and New Zealand


Student will do:

Compare / contrast the governments of
Australia and New Zealand and the
United States
Identify the environmental issues that
affect the Great Coral Reef
Create a map of the major geographic
features of the area