CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

 

 

The Sixth Grade Social Studies program of River Trails Middle School explores and examines the study of the physical geography and human geography.  Using hands-on activities, direct instruction, and simulations the student explores the relationship between other countries and the United States.

 

The social studies program of District 26 is closely aligned with both the National Social Studies Education Standards and the State of Illinois Social Studies Standards.  Therefore, the overall goals for a student leaving 6^th grade are that they can identify the physical and human characteristics of the world, demonstate knowledge of human interactions with the environment, describe cultural diversity among regions of the world, have a basic knowledge of ancient history, and demonstrate a knowledge of current events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDEAS FOR PARENTS . . .

 

 Below is a list of strategies to encourage social thinking in everyday life.

è     These strategies may be used with younger or older children.

è     Point out things to your child that you find interesting in the environment.  (Example: farming patterns, migration patterns, why people live in the city or in the country)

è     Think aloud about the approximate distances from place to place. (Example: how far is from our house to school in miles, kilometers and time) 

è     Ask your child as many thought-provoking questions as possible.  Have them explain their way of thinking and encourage them to explain in different ways(writing sentences, drawing a map, sketch, diagram or just listing steps, etc.).

è     Talk about inventors and what life was like before there inventions were created.

 è    Read the whole paper and try to find the countries in an atlas.

è     Read the parts of an atlas.

 

 *6th Grade Homework Help/Reinforcement

 A.  Set aside a “no-TV” time every evening for homework and enjoyment reading.  During this time, discuss and review assignments and check progress of long-term projects with your child.

B.   Watch the world news a couple times a week. During this time, discuss and review where the country is located the news took place in.

C.   Post a family calendar and plan for long-term projects.  Set special dates to visit the library together to prepare for these projects.

D.   Buy an Atlas or a world map for your family.

E.   Review the RTMS homework hotline everyday with your student.  (This may be accessed through telephone or Internet.)  This is an efficient and accurate way to double-check the completion of assignments.

 

 

River Trails School District 26      6th Grade Social Studies

Things turn out the best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.

 

- John Wooden

World of Social Studies