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6th HSS Unit 8:

The Roman and Byzantine Empires

Suggested Pacing:

23 days

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Title Page

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Opening Unit:

Our World

Aug.16 - Sept. 8

Unit One:

Origins of Civilization

Sept. 11 - Oct. 6

Unit Two:

The Fertile Crescent

Oct. 9 - Nov. 9

Unit Three:

Ancient Egypt & Kush

Nov. 13 - Dec. 8.

Unit Four:�Early Civilizations of India

Dec. 11 - Jan. 26

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Textbook Topic 1

Textbook Topic 2

Textbook Topic 3

Textbook Topic 4

Why is the study of history and the social sciences important in today’s modern world?

6-8.CST.3

6-8.RH.7

6-8.WHST.2

6.P2.1

How much does geography shape people’s lives?�6.1.2

6-8.CST.1

6-8.WHST.2

6.P2.1

How do societies preserve order?

6.2.2

6-8.HI.4

6-8.WHST.2

6.P2.3

What are the things that contribute to a society’s greatness?

6.2.3

6-8.CST.3

6-8.WHST.2

6.P2.5

What makes a culture endure?

6.5.3

6-8.REP.5

6-8.WHST.1

6.P1.7

Unit Five:

Early Civilization of China

Jan. 29 - Feb. 23

Unit Six:

Ancient Greece

Feb. 26 - Mar. 22

Unit Seven:

The Roman Republic

Apr. 2 - Apr. 26

Unit Eight:

The Roman and Byzantine Empires

Apr. 29 - May 30

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Textbook Topic 5

Textbook Topic 6

Textbook Topic 7

Textbook Topic 8

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How do philosophical systems support societies?

6.6.8

6-8.REP.4

6-8.WHST.1

6.P1.10

What is the best form of government?

6.4.2

6-8.REP.3

6-8.WHST.1

6.P1.11

Can a government be perfect?

6.7.2

6-8.HI.6

6-8.WHST.1

6.P1.12a

What forces can cause a society to change?

6.7.6

6-8.HI.1

6-8.WHST.1

6.P1.9

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2023-2024 Year at a Glance 6th Grade HSS

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*1 Day = 45-51 min

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Year at a Glance

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Lesson 1: The Roman Empire Begins

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Synopsis: During the Pax Romana, the Roman empire achieved many things.

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Suggested Pacing: 5 Periods

Objective: Explain what the Pax Romana was and how it affected Rome

Guiding Question: What was Pax Romana and how did it affect Rome?

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Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.1, 7.1.2

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Analysis: HI.1

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C.C.S.S.: RI.7.6

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ELD: P1.C.10.a

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Objective: Describe how the Roman Empire gained and maintained power over people and territories.

Guiding Question: How did the Roman Empire gain and maintain power over people and territories?

Objective: Identify how Rome’s achievements in architecture and technology encouraged its growth.

Guiding Question: How did Rome’s achievements in architecture and technology encourage its growth?

Objective: Summarize how Rome's environment affected its growing economy and trade networks.

Guiding Question: How did Rome’s environment affect its growing economy?

Lesson 2: Origins of Christianity

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Synopsis: The teachings of a Jewish man named Jesus led to a new religion, Christianity, which spread across the Roman empire.

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Suggested Pacing: 3 Periods

Objective: Discuss the relationship between Rome and Judea.

Guiding Question: What was the relationship between Rome and Judea like?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.1

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Analysis: HI.3

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ELD: P1.A.2, P1.C.10.a

Objective: Explain who Jesus was and what he taught.

Guiding Question: Who was Jesus and what did he teach?

Objective: Describe how the religion of Christianity developed and changed.

Guiding Question: How did the religion of Christianity develop and change?

Objective: Analyze how Christianity spread.

Guiding Question: How did Christianity Spread?

Lesson 3: Beliefs of Christianity

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Synopsis: Christians developed a set of beliefs and practices based on Jesus' teachings and th

Christian Bible.

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Suggested Pacing: 3 Periods

Objective: Describe the writings that form Christianity's scripture.

Guiding Question: What writings form Christianity’s scripture?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.1

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C.C.S.S.: RI.7.5, RH.7.1

Objective: Explain the core beliefs that most Christians share.

Guiding Question: What core set of beliefs do most Christians share?

Objective: Discuss how Christians practice their religion.

Guiding Question: How do Christians practice their religions?

Scope and Sequence

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Lesson 4: Roman Culture and Its Legacy

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Synopsis: Rome left a legacy of art, language, literature, science, government, and law.

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Suggested Pacing: 4 Periods

Objective: Summarize the cultural exchanges that took place between Rome and other ancient civilizations.

Guiding Question: What cultural exchanges took place between Rome and other ancient civilizations?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.1, 7.1.2

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C.C.S.S.: RI.7.2

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ELD: P1.C.10.a

Objective: Identify the Roman achievements in art, literature, and science.

Guiding Question: What were Roman achievements in art, literature, and science?

Objective: Describe the legacies left by Rome's government and concept of citizenship.

Guiding Question: How did ancient Rome influence language, government, and ideas of citizenship?

Lesson 5: The Decline of the Roman Empire

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Synopsis: The Roman empire experienced conflict over imperial succession, economic problems, and foreign invaders. The western Roman empire eventually fell.

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Suggested Pacing: 2 Periods

Objective: Discuss the factors that led to the Roman empire's decline.

Guiding Question: What factors led to the Roman empire’s decline?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.3

Objective: Identify the attempts that Rome's leaders made to hold the empire together.

Guiding Question: How did Rome’s leaders attempt to hold the empire together?

Objective: Explain what happened to the two halves of the Roman empire.

Guiding Question: What Happened to the two halves of the empire?

Lesson 6: The Byzantine Empire Rises

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Synopsis: The Byzantine empire carried on the traditions of Rome and influenced other countries such as Russia.

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Suggested Pacing: 3 Periods

Objective: Analyze the ways in which the Byzantine empire differed from the Roman empire.

Guiding Question: In what ways did the Byzantine empire differ from the Roman empire?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.3

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Analysis: HI.4

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C.C.S.S.: RI.7.1, RH.7.1

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ELD: P1.A.2

Objective: Discuss Justinian's achievements.

Guiding Question: What were Justinian’s achievements?

Objective: Identify what caused the Byzantine empire to decline.

Guiding Question: What caused the Byzantine Empire to decline?

Objective: Describe how the Byzantine empire influenced the cultures around it, including early Russia.

Guiding Question: How did the Byzantine empire influence the cultures around it, including early Russia?

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Lesson 7: Byzantine Religion and Culture

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Synopsis: The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches developed in different ways. Byzantine civilization left a distinct cultural legacy.

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Suggested Pacing: 2 Periods

Objective: Summarize the differences that arose between Christians during this period.

Guiding Question: What differences arose between Christians during this period?

Standards:

H.S.S.: 7.1.3

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ELD: P1.A.2

Objective: Analyze the ways the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church differ.

Guiding Question: In what ways did the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church differ?

Objective: Discuss the ways in which the culture of the Byzantines was unique.

Guiding Question: How was Byzantine culture unique?

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Standards and Concept Questions:

Theme: Roman and Byzantine Empires

Essential Question: What forces can cause a society to change?

  • As it transformed from republic to empire to collapse, Rome faced powerful forces that brought change. So did its successor, the Byzantine empire. What were some of these forces? What changes did they bring?

Synopsis: Journey to the mighty Roman empire and its successor, the Byzantine empire. Historians have tried for 15 centuries to unlock the mystery of the fall of Rome.

Content Standard: 6.7.6 Note the origins of Christianity in the Jewish Messianic prophecies, the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament, and the contribution of St. Paul the Apostle to the definition and spread of Christian beliefs (e.g., belief in the Trinity, resurrection, salvation).

Analysis Standard: 6-8.HI.1 Students explain the central issues and problems from the past, placing people and events in a matrix of time and place.

ELA Standard: 6-8.WHST.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

ELD Standard: P1.6b

Textbook Connections: Topic 8: The Roman and Byzantine Empires, pages 315-361

Analysis Skill: Page 323

SEL Connections

  • Relationship Skills through getting to know you activities and procedures/routines.
  • Self Awareness: through engaging in identity activities and sharing with peers.
  • Social Awareness: by discussing various issues that occur in our world and throughout history.

Geography:

  • Mediterranean
  • Site of Encounter
  • Bosporus Strait

Economics:

  • Roads
  • Trade Networks
  • Inflation

Civics/Government:

  • Empire
  • Augustus
  • Pax Romana
  • Roman Laws
  • Fall of Rome
  • Justinian and Theodora

Culture:

  • Achievements
  • Jesus and Christianity
  • Roman Art and Language
  • Constantinople
  • Byzantine Christianity

Unit Overview

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Week 35

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Week 36-37

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Week 38

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Week 39

Essential Question

What forces can cause a society to change?

Lesson Plan

Beginnings of the Empire

Christianity

Legacy and Decline of Rome

Byzantine Empire

Synchronous Learning

  • Fall of the Republic
  • Caesar Augustus
  • Pax Romana
  • Roman Achievements and Trade
  • Judea under Rome
  • Jesus of Nazareth
  • Spread of Christianity
  • Christians Treatment in the Empire
  • Holy Bible
  • Trinity
  • Rituals and Traditions
  • Site of Encounter
  • Greco-Roman Culture

-Language

-Science

-Philosophy

  • Causes for the Fall of Rome
  • Creation of Constantinople
  • Justinian and Theodora
  • Empire’s Influence
  • Byzantine Christinity

-Icons

-Nicene Creed

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Asynchronous Learning

Students complete assigned tasks on Pearson Realize, slideshows

Students complete assigned tasks on Pearson Realize, slideshows

Students complete assigned tasks on Pearson Realize, slideshows

Students complete assigned tasks on Pearson Realize, slideshows

Authentic Learning

Coming Soon

Unit Sequence

8 of 8

Additional Resources:

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Primary Sources

Current Events Connections

Standards and Pedagogy

SEL Resources

Unit Resources