Weeks 28-36 • Focus: The Silk Road, Weather Systems, and the Legacy of the Ancient World
The final quarter of the year expands our perspective to examine the networks that connected the ancient world. Students will investigate how ideas, technologies, and goods flowed across the diverse Eastern Hemisphere, most notably through the Silk Road. This historical focus on movement across different geographical zones pairs thematically with our science study of weather, climate, and water cycling.
As students analyze how ancient civilizations interacted and influenced one another, they'll gain a deeper understanding of the enduring ideas that continue to shape our modern world. The quarter culminates in a capstone project that allows students to apply all the research, writing, and analytical skills they've mastered throughout the year.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Exploring the ancient trade routes that connected East and West
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
by Peter Frankopan (young readers edition)
Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta
by James Rumford
The Silk Road wasn't a single route but a vast network of trade paths that connected China to the Mediterranean. For over 1,500 years, these routes facilitated not just the exchange of silk, spices, and gold, but also religions, technologies, and ideas that transformed civilizations.
Introduction to the Silk Road. Trace the major routes on a large wall map of the Eastern Hemisphere. Discuss the geographical challenges travelers faced (deserts, mountains, etc.) and why trade was worth these risks.
Begin reading selected chapters from "The Silk Roads" (young readers edition). Create a KWL chart: what we Know, Want to know, and will Learn about this trade network.
Study the key goods traded along the Silk Road. Create a chart showing items that moved east (glass, gold, wool) and west (silk, spices, porcelain). Discuss how these goods impacted the receiving civilizations.
Introduction to statistical displays. Use historical trade data to create bar graphs showing the relative values of different trade goods. NY-6.SP.B.4
Begin CKSci Unit 3: Weather, Climate, and Water Cycling. Start with the anchor phenomenon: How do the same locations experience such different weather patterns throughout the year? MS-ESS2-4
Learn about the spread of religions along the Silk Road. Track how Buddhism traveled from India to China and how Islam spread eastward. Discuss how ideas and beliefs "travel."
Examine the spread of technologies along the Silk Road. Focus on papermaking, gunpowder, printing, and the compass – Chinese inventions that transformed the Western world.
Create line graphs showing the time it took for technologies to spread from East to West. Discuss how to interpret trends in data.
Read "Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta." Discuss the importance of travelers and merchants as carriers of knowledge. Begin a travel journal from the perspective of a Silk Road merchant.
Continue the CKSci unit by examining climate zones across the Silk Road. How did travelers adapt to moving through such varied climates? Connect to our ongoing weather investigation.
Explore the concept of cultural diffusion. Look at examples of artistic styles that blended across cultures (Greco-Buddhist art, Islamic influences on European architecture). 6.6
Begin research for a "Silk Road Artifact Project." Students choose one item (silk textiles, porcelain, spices, etc.) to research its production, value, and impact on trade. 6.W.7
In the CKSci unit, investigate how global water movement creates weather patterns. Create a model showing how water moves through the atmosphere, affecting different regions.
Complete and present "Silk Road Artifact Projects." Each presentation should include: origin, production method, value in trade, and cultural significance. Create a class "Silk Road Museum" with illustrations and information cards.
Core Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Understanding Earth's atmospheric systems and their impact on human activity
Weather, Climate, and Water Cycling
CKSci Student Reader
The World Without Us
by Alan Weisman (adapted excerpts)
From the CKSci unit, investigate air masses and their interactions. Create a model showing how cold and warm air masses interact to create weather patterns. MS-ESS2-5
Begin working with three-dimensional figures. Introduce the concept of nets – two-dimensional patterns that fold into 3D shapes. NY-6.G.A.4
Conduct an experiment demonstrating how air pressure and temperature differences create wind. Track local weather patterns for a week, recording temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.
Examine how weather affected trade along the Silk Road. Study the seasonal patterns of caravans and how merchants adapted to weather challenges in different regions.
Create nets for various three-dimensional shapes. Calculate the surface area of these shapes using the nets. Apply this to real-world scenarios.
Write an informative essay explaining how air masses interact to create weather patterns. Include diagrams and examples from our investigations. 6.W.2
From the CKSci unit, develop a model of Earth's water cycle. Trace the movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Discuss the role of the sun as the energy driver. MS-ESS2-4
Continue working with three-dimensional figures. Use nets to determine the surface area of cubes, rectangular prisms, and triangular prisms.
Create a terrarium that demonstrates the water cycle in a closed system. Observe and document the movement of water. Compare to Earth's larger water system.
Investigate how access to water shaped ancient civilizations. Look at examples of water management technologies that developed along the Silk Road (qanats, aqueducts, irrigation systems).
Complete surface area problems involving composite shapes. Apply to real-world scenarios, such as calculating the amount of material needed to create water storage containers.
From the CKSci unit, explore the difference between weather and climate. Study major climate zones and what causes them. Create a world map showing the major climate zones.
Apply 3D geometry to weather instruments. Design and create a rain gauge using a rectangular prism. Calculate its capacity based on surface area and height.
Investigate how climate influenced the development of different civilizations along the Silk Road. Compare the adaptations of desert cultures versus forest or steppe-dwelling peoples.
Read adapted excerpts from "The World Without Us" that describe how quickly human structures would degrade without maintenance. Discuss the constant interaction between human civilization and natural systems.
Complete a summative project for the Weather, Climate, and Water Cycling unit. Create a multimedia presentation explaining how these systems interact and affect human societies.
Core Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Synthesizing our year-long journey by exploring the enduring impact of ancient civilizations
Legacy: The Mark of Ancient Civilizations
Created reader with excerpts from multiple sources
Ancient Wonders, Modern Marvels
Comparative essays on ancient and modern achievements
Introduce the concept of legacy. Create a mind map showing major categories of ancient contributions: political systems, philosophical ideas, scientific knowledge, languages, architecture, and more.
Read excerpts from "Legacy" reader. Identify claims about the impact of ancient civilizations and evaluate the evidence provided. 6.R.8
Focus on political legacies. Compare ancient political "blueprints" (Athenian democracy, Roman republic, Chinese bureaucracy) with modern governmental systems.
Analyze statistical data comparing aspects of ancient and modern society (population densities, agricultural output, literacy rates). Create box plots and histograms to represent the data. NY-6.SP.B.5
Explore scientific and mathematical legacies. Trace how knowledge from Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and Greece formed the foundation of modern science and mathematics.
Begin writing an argumentative essay: "The Most Important Legacy of the Ancient World." Students must choose one legacy and support their claim with evidence from multiple civilizations. 6.W.1
Study architectural and engineering legacies. Compare ancient construction techniques with modern methods. Discuss what makes some structures last for millennia.
Apply surface area calculations to ancient architectural wonders. Compare the efficiency of different structural designs in terms of materials used versus space created.
Complete and peer-review argumentative essays. Discuss the various legacies chosen and the strength of arguments presented.
Explore philosophical and religious legacies. Discuss how ancient ethical systems and spiritual traditions continue to shape modern thought, values, and social structures.
Complete our statistical analysis unit with a project comparing ancient and modern mathematical systems. Create visual displays that effectively communicate the data.
Examine language legacies. Trace the evolution of writing systems and the spread of Indo-European languages. Identify ancient roots in modern English vocabulary.
Read selections from "Ancient Wonders, Modern Marvels." Prepare for capstone projects by brainstorming connections between ancient civilizations and modern society.
Create a comprehensive timeline showing the major civilizations studied this year and their key contributions. Prepare for capstone project by selecting a specific legacy to explore in depth.
Core Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Synthesizing the year's learning through multi-disciplinary creative projects
The capstone project challenges students to identify and deeply explore one significant "blueprint" from the ancient world that continues to influence modern society. This multi-disciplinary project incorporates research, writing, mathematical analysis, and creative presentation.
Introduce the capstone project requirements. Students select their ancient "blueprint" to focus on (e.g., democratic governance, architectural techniques, mathematical systems, philosophical ideas). Create a project plan with timeline and resources needed.
Gather and organize information about the chosen ancient blueprint. Research both its historical context and its modern applications or influence. Create note cards or digital organization system for information.
Draft the written component of the project. This should include historical background, explanation of the blueprint's significance in its time, and analysis of its enduring impact.
Incorporate a mathematical or statistical component. This could include creating graphs showing the spread of the idea, comparing ancient and modern applications, or analyzing numerical patterns.
Develop the visual or multimedia component of the project. This could be a model, diorama, digital presentation, video, or artistic representation that illustrates the ancient blueprint and its modern applications.
Complete all project components. Prepare an oral presentation that effectively communicates the ancient blueprint's significance and enduring legacy. Practice presentation skills.
Sample Project Ideas:
Project Requirements:
Culminating our sixth-grade journey with presentations, assessments, and reflection
This final week serves multiple purposes: presenting capstone projects, completing required year-end assessments, and celebrating the significant growth and learning that has occurred throughout the year.
Students present their capstone projects. Each presentation should clearly explain the ancient blueprint, its historical context, and its enduring legacy. Family members may be invited to attend these presentations.
Complete the required year-end assessment. This may be either a standardized test (such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills) or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a certified teacher, as required by NYS homeschooling regulations.
Review the portfolio of work collected throughout the year. Write a reflective essay discussing personal growth, favorite topics, challenges overcome, and goals for seventh grade. Create a visual timeline showing major learning milestones from the year.
Host a special end-of-year celebration that highlights achievements. This could include: displaying favorite projects, sharing the timeline of learning, discussing the most interesting discoveries about ancient civilizations, and enjoying a themed celebration that connects to our studies (perhaps a "Silk Road Feast" with foods from different regions).
Complete all necessary documentation for your final quarterly report:
| Title | Author/Publisher | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| The Silk Roads: A New History of the World (Young Readers Edition) | Peter Frankopan | Weeks 28-29 |
| Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta | James Rumford | Weeks 28-29 |
| Weather, Climate, and Water Cycling | Core Knowledge Science | Weeks 30-32 |
| The World Without Us (Adapted Excerpts) | Alan Weisman | Week 32 |
| Legacy: The Mark of Ancient Civilizations | Compiled Reader | Weeks 33-34 |
| Ancient Wonders, Modern Marvels | Compiled Essays | Weeks 33-34 |
You've completed an incredible year of sixth-grade homeschooling. Your student has developed essential critical thinking skills, gained a deep understanding of ancient civilizations, and built a strong foundation for middle school learning. Celebrate this remarkable achievement!