Sixth Grade Social Studies Objectives
2011-2012
Inquiry (H & SS5-6:2, H & SS5-6:3, H & SS5-6:4, H & SS5-6:5,H & SS5-6:6, H& SS5-6:7)
- Student initiates an inquiry by:
- Asking relevant and focusing questions;
- Developing a research statement;
- Examining relevant information;
- Following a detailed plan.
- Student conducts research by:
- Locating relevant information;
- Analyzing evidence;
- Recording observations;
- Citing sources appropriately.
- Student communicates findings by:
- Developing explanations to support research;
- Making connections by proposing solutions based on their findings;
- Organizing and displaying information in writing or visually.
History (H & SS5-6:8, H & SS5-6:9, H & SS5-6:10, H & SS5-6:11)
- Student connects the past with the present by:
- Explaining differences between historic and present day objects;
- Describing ways that life in the United States and/or the world has both changed and stayed the same over time;
- Investigating and evaluating how events, people, and ideas (democracy, for example) have shaped the United States and the world.
- Student shows understanding of how humans interpret history by:
- Reading and interpreting historic maps;
- Identifying multiple perspectives in historic/cultural events;
- Identifying attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in different historical contests.
- Student shows understanding of past, present, and future by:
- Identifying the beginning, middle, and end of historical narrative or story;
- Constructing time lines of significant historical developments in the nation and the world;
- Identifying important events in the United States and/or world, and by describing multiple causes and effects of those events;
- Identifying why certain events are considered pivotal and how they cause us to reorder time.
Physical and Cultural Geography (H & SS5-6:11,H & SS5-6:12, H & SS5-6:13)
- Student interprets geography and solves geographic problems by:
- Identifying characteristics of states, countries, and continents using resources such as landmarks, models, different types of maps, photographs, atlases, internet, video, reference materials, GIS and mental mapping;
- Identifying and using the basic elements of a map;
- Observing, comparing, and analyzing patterns of national and global land use;
- Locating the physical and political regions of the United States and the world;
- Locating and using absolute and relative location, and explaining why selected cities are of historical and current importance;
- Using absolute and relative location to identify major mountain ranges, major rivers, and major climate and vegetation zones and the effect of these on settlement patterns;
- Using grid systems to locate places on maps and globes (longitude and latitude).
- Student shows understanding of human interactions with the environment over time by:
- Describing how human activity and technology have changed the environment in the U.S. and world for specific purposes;
- Generating information related to the impact of human activities on the physical environment in order to draw conclusions and recommend solutions;
- Evaluating different viewpoints regarding resource use in the US & and world.
- Student analyzes how and why cultures continue and change over time by:
- Describing the contributions of various cultural groups to the world, both past and present;
- Identifying how location influences cultural traits;
- Identifying ways in which culture in the U.S. and the world has changed.
Civics, Government and Society (H & SS5-6: 14, H & SS5-6: 16)
- Student acts as a citizen by:
- Demonstrating positive interaction with group members (e.g., participating in a service project);
- Identifying problems and proposing solutions in the local community, state, nation, or world;
- Explaining their own point of view on issues that affect themselves and society; being able to explain an opposing point of view.
- Student examines how different societies address issues of human interdependence by identifying examples of interdependence among states and nations.
Economics (H & SS5-6: 20)
- Student makes economic decisions as a consumer, producer, saver, investor and citizen by explaining what happens when people’s needs and/or wants exceed their available resources.
