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6th Grade Social Studies Ancient History- Hannalee Alrutz

Expanded Write-Up __Theme 1: Uses and Abuses of Power__ All of history is a game of power. Who has it? How do they use it? Ancient empires and cities fell and rose because of power. A few sub-topics could include 1) types of government or power systems, 2) leadership responsibility, and 3) morality. This is huge, as students are living in a world of power struggles and transfers. It is important to understand the relationship between citizen and government, where our government system came from, and how we should view our influence individually. Students will be interested in this topic because the fall and rise of empires is very much like an action movie. Power and conflict are relatable because students are living in it everyday. As adolescents especially, they are just now starting to explore what independent thinking means and how powerful their own voice and opinions are.

__Essential or Highlighted characters:__
 * 1)  King Tutankhamen- Pharaoh of Egypt who changed the religious system of Egypt, though centuries old, to worship of one god. Is it right to use power to dictate religious practice? What are the implications of this? He connects to this theme because his role leads to discussion of the ancient Egyptian government system, where Pharaoh is head of state and religious leader. It also touches on the cultural responsibility he had for his people, and whether we believe his actions were morally right. Students will be interested in learning about him because he was recently discovered (1922) and because they can easily connect it to religious tensions today.
 * 2)  Alexander the Great- King of Macedonia who led successful conquests, including Persia and Egypt. His greatness was measured by the amount of land he took over. This is important for student discussion. What makes a great leader? How has our opinion of that changed? Alexander proved to be an example of success for those who came after to emulate.This connects to the theme of power and the responsibility of leadership as students will investigate how Alexander conquered peoples through his campaigns. Did he also take care of their needs? What responsibilities do leaders have? Students will enjoy this study because of the worldwide impact Alexander had and because of his great military skills and strategies.
 * 3)  Attalus 1- First of the Attalid Dynasty to assume the title of king. He won a victory over an oppressive nation and earned the name “Soter” (Savior). He protected Greek cities from barbarians. This is connected to morality and the responsibility of leaders. Students will be interested as they wrestle with the question: What responsibility does a leader have over his people?

__Core Texts:__
 * 1)  1984 by George Orwell- the theme of power is evident in this book through the Party’s abusive actions toward those under it. This will give students the ability to see power struggle in different contexts and relate it to their world today.
 * 2)  Ancient Records of Egypt- William rainey Harper- This will give context to the stories of King Tut and the analysis of their government system.
 * 3)  Legend by Marie Lu- This young adult fiction novel will interest kids because the characters are similar ages, and it will give them a great picture of power that looks just and then was actually corrupt.

Condensed Write Ups __Theme 2: Technological advances__ Technology is everywhere today. Students may struggle with imagining a world without it. In ancient times, technology was created and defined. Sub-topics include 1) environmental tools, 2) war and military tools, and 3) building tools. Students will be interested in these topics because it strikes so close to home; technology is intertwined in our lives now.

Essential or Highlighted characters:
 * 1)  Archimedes of Syracuse- Greek polymath who is believed to have created the Archimedes’ screw, a technology that can brings water uphill. This is connected to the theme because it changed the world of irrigation practice. Students will be interested in him and the controversial evidence that accompanies. They will get to investigate as historians.
 * 2)  Glaucus of Chios- Greek sculptor in metal who is known for inventing soldering of metals. This connects to the theme, as we now know today, combining metals is extremely common and useful. Students will enjoy discovering the process of soldering and seeing how much we utilize this innovation today.
 * 3)  Jason of Pherae- Ruler of Thessaly who is believed to have invented the hemithorakion, an ancient greek half-armor. This connects to the theme of military innovation. Students will be interested to discover the usefulness and reasons behind these inventions.

Core Texts:
 * 1)  Brave New World by Aldous Huxley- Technology in this book control emotions and thoughts. Students will be able to judge for themselves when technology becomes harmful.
 * 2)  The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer- This book is beneficial because it speaks of new cloning technology, and students will get to wrestle with the good and bad consequences of technology.
 * 3)  Commentary of Theban Hegemony by Xenophon- gives context for Jason of Pherae, as he quotes Jason.

__Theme 3: Language and communication__ Communication is invaluable in the human experience. We are relational beings. It is cool to observe the transformation of some languages over time and the different ways groups of people interacted and communicated. Sub-topics of this theme could include 1) transfer of information, 2) distinction between language, and 3) the evolution of language. Students will be interested in this because even in one’s lifetime there are changes in language. Communication is a critical part of adolescence and growth.

Essential or Highlighted characters:
 * 1)  Enmebaragesi of Kish- Sumerian King whose name appears on cuneiform tablets. Cuneiform scripts are the earliest form of writing. Writing is a huge innovation that changes history records and cultural communication worldwide. Students will love to track the forms of writing and the actual makeup of cuneiform.
 * 2)  Terpander- Greek poet and performer who was the father of Greek music and lyric poetry. This connects to the theme, as music is a mode in which information is communicated. Students will enjoy learning how music has also evolved over time.
 * 3)  Cyrus the Great- Ruler of Persia who is believed to have invented the first postal service. This is connected to the theme because it expresses a way that information was transferred. Also since groups of differing languages began writing to each other, it opens up discussion for how languages distinguish themselves. Students will be interested because the mode of communication has changed so much, from postal services to texting.

Core Texts:
 * 1)  City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau- This is beneficial because it shows the importance of communication. The main character must decipher a message that will save the city, but communication has been hidden by a corrupt leader.
 * 2)  The Defeat of the Persians under Cyrus the Great by Queen Tomyris of the Massagetai by Herodotus- This gives context to Cyrus’ rule.
 * 3)  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- This book is beneficial because it shows the power of language; how it has been used for evil and how is can be used for good.

__Theme 4: Expressing Identity__ What made groups in ancient times? We will delve into the unique traits that different civilizations had. There are values, resources, goals that unify groups. Some sub-themes to cover include 1) religion, 2) heritage, and 3) free will. Students will love this topic because they are in the midst of finding who they are.

Essential or Highlighted characters:
 * 1)  Cleopatra- Greek Ptolemaic ruler who promoted the traditional Egyptian deities of Osiris. She presented herself as the reincarnation of Isis, the Egyptian goddess. This is connected to the theme as it hits on heritage, religion and free will. Students will enjoy seeing Cleopatra’s expression of who she is and investigate her motives.
 * 2)  Genghis Khan- Mongol leader who created the largest land empire. He killed many people, but also gave religious freedoms and abolished torture. This topic touches on learning from ancestors and on the ability to choose (free will). Can good actions outdo bad? Students will be interested because of the culture of the Mongols and because of the relevance of good and evil in our culture today.
 * 3)  Cassander- King of Macedonia who disagreed with his father in view of his successor, yet agree with him concerning the treatment of city-states. This touches on the theme of heritage and free will. Who are you? Are you who you are due to upbringing or can you decide who you are? Students will enjoy relating to Cassander’s journey.

Core Texts:
 * 1)  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - This book shows a culture that has stopped communicating. Books are destroyed and social life has decreased. It is beneficial because it shows how language and communication make us human.
 * 2)  Bibliotheca by Diodorus Siculus- gives context for Cassander’s life.
 * 3)  Anthem by Ayn Rand- This book is beneficial because it the main character is describing his life and only uses plural pronouns when speaking of himself. He goes on an adventure, against authority and society, to find himself.

__Theme 5: Economies and Trade__ Economics incorporates many aspects of civilization. Some sub-themes to cover include 1) resources, 2) profit, and 3) loyalty between nations. Students will be interested because of the relationships between nations. Compromise and communication is a huge part of growing up.

Essential or Highlighted characters:
 * 1)  Cadmus the Phoenician- Founder of Thebes who taught the Greeks the alphabet. This connects to resources as the Phoenician people traded purple dyes and were known for their ports and trade. Students will be interested to learn about the ancient alphabet and how it influenced these coast towns.
 * 2)  Zhang Qian- ruler of the Western Han Dynasty who opened up the Silk Road, a network of trade routes in China. This connects directly to economy and trade, and how people groups related to each other (loyalties). Students will be interested to see how successful trade changes the society’s development. Same principles apply today.
 * 3)  Demosthenes- Greek statesman and orator who spoke of politics and economics in Athens. This connects directly to profit and resources of ancient times. Students will enjoy seeing the language used in ancient politics and how the concepts today align.

Core Texts:
 * 1)  Black Boy by Richard Wright- This book is beneficial because it follows a family who undergo hard economic times often. Students will be able to analyze how the resources we have affect our lives.
 * 2)  Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- This book is all about resources, profit, and loyalty between the twelve districts who are under the authority of the Capitol. Students will benefit by seeing it played out in a smaller scale and will be able to relate it to present time.
 * 3)  Demosthenes Speeches 20-22- Gives his insight into Greek morality and economic conditions. This is beneficial context for students.

__Theme 6: Humans and the environment__ Humans have related to the environment in different ways throughout the history of the world. We have changed it, and it has changed us. Sub-themes to consider are 1) human hurt and help, 2) views of the environment, and 3) long-term implications. Students will be interested to see how people in ancient times viewed and treated the physical world, and they will be able to decide for themselves how they view it.

Essential or Highlighted characters: . Core Texts:
 * 1)  Diogenes of Sinope- He was among the Cynics, which are arguably the first environmentalists because they believe you should live as naturally as possible. Students will be interested to learn where environmentalism came from.
 * 2)  Plutarch- Biographer and historian who wrote about environmental issues. Students will be interested in how Plutarch was before his time as an advocate for vegetarianism.
 * 3)  Yajnavalkya Smriti- Indian leader who prohibited the cutting of trees and punished those who did. Students will be interested to.
 * 1)  Vedanta- Indian extract of the ancient Vedic literature that expresses divinity in all things, including the physical world. This gives context to the beliefs of Yajnavalkya Smriti.
 * 2)  Ferngully by Diana Young- This book can be analyzed by students to see the affect humans have on the world.
 * 3)  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett- This demonstrates man’s relationship to nature. Students will benefit by analyzing that relationship.