Middle School

Middle School Social Studies 1 (World History)

1 Credit
2 segments/ 36 weeks
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Somebody discovered the wheel. Somebody discovered written communication. Somebody even figured out how to count to ten. From the ancient river civilizations to China and its ancient dynasties, different civilizations left their mark on history. They also left their mark on how we live today. In this course, students join travel agent Mr. Lightfoot to travel back in time digging out the past of these ancient civilizations.

In ancient Egypt students visit the pyramids and find out the secrets of preserving mummies. They see how the Mayans developed astronomy to a precise science. They even investigate the difference between the Athenians and the Spartans. Students will journey through India discovering their contributions to medicine, moving on to Africa to follow the rise and fall of the ancient east African kingdoms of Kush and Axum. Throughout the centuries, and still today, our world is made up of dozens of different cultures. They all are different, and they all have made big contributions to what we know and who we are.

Major Topics and Concepts

Module 1: Ancient Origins

Students are introduced to how and why history is studied. They also learn about the change from hunter and gatherers to early agricultural settlers to the growth of the first civilizations.

Module 2: Ancient River Civilizations

Students will compare the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of ancient river civilizations.

Module 3: Ancient Americas

Students will learn about the ancient societies of the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Native Americans.

Module 4: Ancient Greece

Students will study the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of ancient Greece.

Module 5: Ancient Rome

Students will study the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of ancient Rome.

Module 6: Ancient India

Students will study the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of ancient India.

Module 7: Ancient China

Students will study the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of ancient China.

Module 8: Asia & Africa

Students will study the social, political, religious, intellectual, technological and economic features of Asia & Africa.

Competencies

Role of History and Geography in Studying Ancient Origins

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of history and geography in studying ancient origins by explaining the process of historical analysis, describing the use of maps to trace nomadic life, and explaining the role of location resources in the establishment of ancient civilizations.

Ancient River Civilizations

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient river civilizations by describing the establishment of Mesopotamian civilizations, describing the establishment of Egyptian river civilizations, describing the establishment of ancient Indus Valley civilizations, and describing the establishment of Near Eastern river civilizations.

Ancient Civilizations in North and South America

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient civilizations in North and South America by describing characteristics of Mayan society, describing characteristics of Aztec society, describing characteristics of Incan society, and describing characteristics of Native American society.

Ancient Greece

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient Greece by explaining ancient Greece’s contributions to civilization, describing characteristics of ancient Greek city-states, and analyzing the ancient Greek wars.

Ancient Rome

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient Rome by describing the establishment of the Roman Republic, explaining Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire, analyzing factors that led to the fall of the Roman Empire, and summarizing Rome’s contributions to civilization.

Ancient India

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient India by summarizing societal developments during the Vedic Age, explaining religions of ancient India, and describing empires of ancient India.

Ancient China

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient China by describing ancient China’s contributions to civilization, explaining aspects of ancient Chinese dynasties, and analyzing the Qin dynasty’s contributions to China’s growth as a nation.

Ancient Asia and Africa

Students will demonstrate an understanding of ancient Asia and Africa by describing later Chinese dynasties, explaining ancient East African society, and explaining ancient West African society.