Social Studies — Grade 6

Travel brochure for Western Europe

Students will explore a particular country in Western Europe and get a general overview of the country. This is an activity designed to cover a great amount of material in a brief period of time.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Social Studies)

By Debra Martinez.

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.

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.

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.

Resources on the web

What does a picture tell you about culture?

This lesson examines pictures to create an understanding of cultural landscapes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 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

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

My little island

In this lesson from ARTSEDGE, students learn about the processes that lead to the formation of an island and study the impact that an island's geographic and geologic history has on the culture of the people who live there. Students divide into groups to... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 Science, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

My little island

In this lesson from ARTSEDGE, students learn about the processes that lead to the formation of an island and study the impact that an island's geographic and geologic history has on the culture of the people who live there. Students divide into groups to... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 Science, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Interpreting the evidence

This lesson, the second of a two-part series from Science NetLinks, offers useful information and activities to help students understand how scientists learn about civilizations that have disappeared. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

International food court

In this Xpeditions lesson plan, students learn about the characteristics of the world's regions by investigating the types of food that are common in those regions. They'll also conduct research to find out about the climate, landscape, and cultures of... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Geographic

Geography matters in history

Students consider the ways in which historical events and processes have been affected by geography. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Clues from the Black Sea

Students discuss the scientific method and define “theory” and “hypothesis.” (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Geographic