Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

Unit

1- Early Humans

2- Ancient Sumer

3- Origins of Judaism & Islam

4- Modern Issues in the Middle East

5- Ancient Egypt & Nubia

6- Modern Issues in Africa

7- Ancient India

8- Ancient China

9- Modern Issues in Asia

10- Research Paper/ Final Project

State Standards

for Social Studies

Initiate questions and hypotheses about historic events being studied.

Demonstrate and explain ways that humans depend on, adapt to and alter the physical environment.

Describe basic tenets of the world religions that have acted as major forces throughout history.

Describe and analyze, using historical data and understandings, the options which are available to parties involved in contemporary conflicts or decision making .

Give examples of the visual arts, dance, music, theater and architecture of the major periods of history and explain what they indicate about the values and beliefs of various societies.

Develop proposals regarding solutions to significant international issues.

Examine how roles and status of people have differed and changed throughout history based on gender, age, class, racial and ethnic identity, wealth, and/ or social position.

Describe, explain and analyze the impact of the exchange of ideas on societies, politics, religion, etc.

Use maps, globes, charts, and databases to analyze and suggest solutions to real-world problems.

Gather information from multiple sources to have experience with primary and secondary sources and appreciate the need for multiple perspectives.

Essential Questions

How do we know about the past? What makes us human?

How does geography influence how and where people live?

Why does a civilization need laws and government?

How does religion influence how people live?

Why does a civilization need laws and government?

Why do people go to war?

How do we achieve peace?

What role should the U.S. play in resolving international problems?

How does geography influence how and where people live?

What makes a civilization glorious?

What does social structure tell us about a society?

Why do people go to war?

What role should the U.S. play in resolving international problems?

How does geography influence how and where people live?

How does religion influence how people live?

What does social structure tell us about a society?

How does geography influence how and where people live?

What makes a civilization glorious?

Why does a civ-ilization need laws and government?

What role should the U.S. play in resolving international problems?

How should the world community respond to human rights violations?

Students will formulate their own essential questions to guide their research

Topics

Evolution of early hominids.

Cave paintings

Paleolithic v. Neolithic

Geography of Sumer

Early villages in Mesopotamia

Government

Origins of Judaism

History of Canaan

Origins of Islam

5 Pillars of Islam

Afghanistan

Iraq

Iran

Israelis & Palestinians

Geography

History & Culture

Daily Life

Role of Women

Monuments

AIDS

Genocide

Civil War

Geography

Mohenjodaro

Hinduism

Buddhism

Caste System

Geography

Government

Silk Route

Different Dynasties

Overpopulation

Poverty

Child Labor

Students will choose topics related to human rights issues, conflict, etc.

Primary Books/ Resources

History Alive

The Ancient Near Eastern World

History Alive

The Ancient Near Eastern World

History Alive

World Atlas

Current events articles

The Breadwinner

The Ancient Egyptian World

History Alive

World Atlas

Current Events articles

The Ancient South Asian World

History Alive

The Ancient Chinese World

History Alive

Tao of Pooh

World Atlas

Current Events articles

Library Books

Internet Articles

Seminars

Donald Johanson interview

“What did you do in school?”

“Rules for A Just Society”

“Flies Enter an Open Mouth”

“The Call of Abraham”

“Ishmael”

Map of the West Bank

TBD based on current issues

“I Didn’t Do It”

Book of the Dead

“Weighing of the Heart” artwork

Punt Reliefs (Queen Hatshepsut)

“King of Kush Conquers Egypt”

Statistics on AIDS

Excerpt from Lost Boys of Sudan from They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky

“Laws to Live By”

“Path to Enlightenment”

“Hold Your Horses” Upanishads

“Terra Cotta Soldiers”, artwork

“Conversations of the States”

“The Virtuous are Never Alone”

Confucius excerpts

TBD based on current issues

Population charts

Statistics on Child Labor

To Be Determined by students

Paideia Projects

Archeological Dig

Ancient Egypt Project

Rivers Project