Complete list of books needed for the sixth grade homeschool curriculum
Complete list of books for the sixth grade homeschool curriculum
This comprehensive book list includes all the literature and reference materials needed for our sixth grade homeschool curriculum. Books are organized by quarter, with information about when they are used, what subject they support, and direct links to purchase them if needed.
We recommend accessing these books through your local library when possible. Many can also be found as e-books or audiobooks through services like Libby, Hoopla, or Epic! If purchasing, consider used book options to save on cost.
Note: The Core Knowledge Science (CKSci) and Core Knowledge History and Geography (CKHG) materials can be downloaded for free from the Core Knowledge Foundation website at coreknowledge.org.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of the major geographic features, countries, and regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia, establishing the geographical stage for the year's historical study.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive overview of humanity's transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities, the foundation of civilizations.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A phenomenon-driven unit exploring how containers can keep substances from warming up or cooling down, introducing concepts of energy transfer and engineering design.
by Kate Snow
A comprehensive math curriculum with clear, hands-on lessons that build deep conceptual understanding of sixth-grade math concepts, beginning with fractions and ratios.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A detailed exploration of the world's first civilization, examining the development of cities, ziggurats, cuneiform writing, and Hammurabi's Code of law.
by DK
A visually engaging reference book that brings ancient Mesopotamia to life with detailed illustrations, photographs of artifacts, and explanations of daily life, government, and innovations.
by Ludmila Zeman
A beautifully illustrated retelling of the ancient Mesopotamian epic, introducing students to one of the world's oldest recorded stories and the character of the legendary king of Uruk.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of Ancient Egyptian civilization, including the Nile River's importance, pharaohs, hieroglyphics, pyramids, and religious beliefs about the afterlife.
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
A classic historical fiction novel set in ancient Egypt that follows a young goldsmith's apprentice who uncovers a mystery, providing rich details about daily life in Egyptian society.
Writing Curriculum
A structured writing curriculum that guides students through the writing process, focusing on grammar, sentence structure, and multi-paragraph compositions, with emphasis on informative and argumentative writing for sixth grade.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of ancient Indian civilization, from the Indus Valley cities to the Vedic period, including the development of Hinduism, the caste system, and sacred texts.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A biology unit that explores how living things are made of cells, how cells function, and how cells form tissues, organs, and body systems, anchored by the phenomenon of healing.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A thorough introduction to the major world religions, with special emphasis on Hinduism and Buddhism, examining their origins, core beliefs, and influences on society.
by Milo Cleveland Beach
A readable version of the Ramayana, one of India's great epics, introducing students to Hindu mythology, values, and the concept of dharma through the adventures of Prince Rama.
by Ellen C. Babbitt
A collection of Buddhist stories about the Buddha's previous lives, teaching moral lessons and ethical principles in accessible, engaging fables suitable for middle school readers.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive look at Chinese civilization from the Shang Dynasty through the Han Dynasty, exploring the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, Confucianism, Daoism, and major innovations.
by Julia Donaldson
A beautifully illustrated retelling of a classic Chinese folktale about a young artist whose magical paintbrush brings paintings to life, teaching values of kindness and resisting greed.
by Yinke Deng
A fascinating exploration of ancient Chinese innovations like paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass, with explanations of how they worked and their global impact over time.
Simplified for Middle School
A collection of key sayings and teachings from Confucius that introduce students to his philosophy of duty, respect, and social harmony, adapted to be accessible for sixth-grade readers.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive exploration of the classical civilizations that laid the foundations for Western thought, beginning with Ancient Greece, its city-states, democracy, and cultural contributions.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An earth science unit that explores the powerful forces that shape the planet's surface, explaining how rocks form, mountains rise, and continents move over geological time.
by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
A beautifully illustrated collection of Greek mythology, introducing students to the Olympian gods, heroes, and legendary stories that have influenced Western literature and culture.
by Marshall Cavendish
A richly illustrated reference that brings ancient Greece to life, covering its history, politics, daily life, architecture, arts, philosophy, and enduring legacy.
by Jeanne Bendick
A biographical account of the ancient Greek mathematician and inventor, introducing students to his principles of mechanics, geometry, and physics through engaging narrative.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An examination of Rome's transition from monarchy to republic, focusing on the development of representative government, the Senate, consuls, and the struggle between patricians and plebeians.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A detailed exploration of Rome's transformation from republic to empire, its vast territorial expansions, innovations in architecture and engineering, and eventual decline.
by Richard Platt
A historical fiction narrative written as the diary of a young Greek girl who becomes enslaved in Rome, offering an engaging window into daily life, social structure, and customs in ancient Rome.
by William Osborne
A fascinating exploration of the engineering achievements of ancient civilizations, with special focus on Roman aqueducts, roads, and architectural innovations that utilized geological resources.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An exploration of the trade routes that connected the ancient world, with special focus on the Silk Road and the exchange of goods, technologies, and ideas across vast distances.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
An earth science unit that investigates the large-scale atmospheric and oceanic systems that create the world's diverse climates and weather patterns, affecting human movement and settlement.
by John Major
A richly illustrated exploration of the legendary trade route that connected China to the Mediterranean, examining the goods, ideas, and technologies that moved across different climates and cultures.
by Alexandra Tolstoy
A narrative account of travels along the ancient Silk Road, bringing to life the merchants, pilgrims, and adventurers who traversed this network of routes through mountains, deserts, and diverse cultures.
by Barbara Taylor
An illustrated guide to Earth's major climate zones, explaining how geography, latitude, and atmospheric circulation create different climate regions that influenced ancient trade routes and settlements.
by Various Authors
A synthetic overview of how the innovations, ideas, and institutions of ancient civilizations continue to influence our modern world, from government systems to architecture to philosophy.
by Ellen Leib
A guide to developing essential research skills, including formulating questions, finding reliable sources, note-taking, organizing information, and citing sources properly for the capstone project.
by CKSci
An exploration of how Earth's climate has changed over geological time, affecting the rise and fall of civilizations and how humans have adapted to different environmental conditions.
by Core Knowledge Foundation
A comprehensive guide for the year-end capstone project, helping students integrate and apply their knowledge of ancient civilizations through research, writing, and presentation.
Standardized Assessment
A standardized achievement test, as required by NYS regulations for sixth-grade homeschoolers, used to evaluate progress and document completion of the school year's educational requirements.
by Various
Materials for organizing and presenting the year's accomplishments, including portfolio binder, sheet protectors, and dividers for creating a professional-quality showcase of student work.
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