6th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 6th grade social studies in the Washington State Learning Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- World geography
- Ancient civilizations to 1450
- How economies and governments began
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
World Maps & Globes
Continents and oceans, hemispheres, latitude and longitude, map scale, projections and kinds of maps.
World Regions
Physical and cultural characteristics of world regions, how people adapt to and change their environment, migration, and why geography helps us understand global issues.
Mesopotamia & Egypt
Why civilizations grew along the Tigris, Euphrates and Nile, cuneiform and hieroglyphs, Hammurabi's Code, pharaohs and pyramids.
Ancient India & China
The Indus Valley and Yellow River, Chinese dynasties and the Mandate of Heaven, Confucius, Hinduism and Buddhism, and inventions such as paper and zero.
Greece & Rome
Athens and Sparta, the Roman Republic and Empire, the Twelve Tables and Code of Justinian, and the Greek and Roman ideas found in US government.
Empires of the Americas & Africa
The Maya, Aztec (Mexica) and Inca, Cahokia, and the trading kingdoms of Africa such as Ghana, Mali and Great Zimbabwe. Maya people and many other nations are living communities today.
Trade Routes & Beliefs
The Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade, how religions and ideas spread, the Islamic Golden Age, medieval Europe and the Magna Carta, up to about 1450.
Time & Evidence
Counting years in BCE and CE, centuries and calendars, artifacts and archaeology, and judging primary and secondary sources about the ancient world.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Washington report card guide.
Common questions
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Washington State Learning Standards 6th grade social studies units include World Maps & Globes, World Regions, Mesopotamia & Egypt, Ancient India & China, Greece & Rome, Empires of the Americas & Africa.
Free printable 6th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.