Social Studies — Grade 6

Tracing the Titanic tragedy

Students will learn about the Titanic disaster as a historical event by reading informative articles and books and by use of the Internet. They will then produce a database of passengers with information about them and use the database to analyze the information.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

By Elizabeth Harren.

To market, to market: Photograph analysis

In this lesson, students analyze photos of markets from around the world to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between geographically distant places, to learn about the economic and cultural significance of markets, and to improve visual literacy skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Threads through South America: Weaving in Ecuador

This lesson for grade six takes a look at the weaving and textiles created in the Andes of Ecuador in and near the town of Otavalo. In addition to learning about Ecuadorian weaving, students may also create their own woven artifact.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Map skills and transportation careers

In CareerStart lessons: Grade six, page 4.1

In this lesson for grade six, students will create maps to assist their understanding of relative and exact location and will conduct research on transportation careers.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

By Mandy Matlock.

Majestic peaks: Mountains of North Carolina and Ecuador

In this lesson for grade six, students analyze two photographs: one of the mountains of Ecuador and one of the mountains of Western North Carolina. Students then analyze the two photographs together to gain an understanding of the two regions' similarities and differences.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Integrated unit on South America

This lesson includes information concerning database operations, word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet formatting. Students will solve math problems.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Development, Mathematics, and Social Studies)

By DPI Integration Strategies.

Gridding a site

In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.2

In their study of how to grid a site, students will use a map and the Cartesian coordinate system to establish a grid system over an archaeological site, labeling each grid unit; determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit; and construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics and Social Studies)

The five themes of geography

In CareerStart lessons: Grade six, page 4.6

In this lesson for grade six, students will explore different career paths based on the five themes of geography.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

By Shea Calloway.

Ecuador: A study of population

In this lesson, students will create population pyramid graphs and analyze photographs to investigate population in Ecuador. Students will draw on this analysis to make predictions about how population issues will affect Ecuador's future. The lesson plan is designed to be adapted to the study of various countries.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Ecuador: A land of climate diversity

In this lesson, students will create climate graphs and analyze photographs to investigate the various types of climate in Ecuador and the interactions between climate and human culture. The lesson plan is designed to be adapted to the study of various countries.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Bullfighting in Colombia

In this lesson for grade six, students study the history of bullfighting in Spain and Colombia as an example of how cultural traditions can be transferred from one place to another. Students analyze photographs of bullfighting in Colombia and discuss the cultural tradition of the sport and the controversy surrounding it.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Resources on the web

Where in the world would you like to live?

Students compare thematic maps of the continents and the world as a whole to determine where they would like to live. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Sushi bar: You, me, sushi

In this Xpeditions lesson, students visit a virtual Sushi Bar and explore where the ingredients for various kinds of sushi can be found. Students have the opportunity to consider what resources are available in their area and how globalization, transportation,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

The shape of things to come

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the shapes of countries around the world. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

School space: An analysis of map perceptions

In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze sketch maps produced by different people on the basis of their mental maps. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle

This Xpeditions lesson offers students an opportunity to use economic and social indicators to identify the connection between a country's access to resources and its economic development. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Reviving Bodie

Students will work in groups to write guides for a ghost town's new potential citizens, explaining the things they need to know about the town's climate, landscape, location, natural resources, and history. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Information Skills and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Regional guidebook

In this Xpeditions lesson, students are asked to consider the unique physical and human characteristics of their home region and to create guidebooks that describe these features to visitors to the region. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Recording the changing seasons in ancient times

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about Stonehenge and read ancient myths and stories explaining the seasons. Acting as historians, the students use Web sites to find information about how ancient cultures kept track of and celebrated the seasons. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Rail traffic controller

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use the Xpedition Hall virtual exhibit, Rail Traffic Controller, to locate the countries of origin for items imported to specific countries in Europe. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic