History & Social Studies · K–8

6th grade history curriculum: every topic, in teaching order

All 8 topics in 6th grade history, in teaching order, each with the standard it addresses. Free printable sample, and 960 questions in the full workbook.

8 topics960 questions209 printed pagesAges 11–12

What a 6th grade student covers in History & Social Studies

In teaching order. Each line is one topic, its one-line summary, and the standard it addresses.

River valleys and the first civilizationsUse maps to explain why early civilizations grew along the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus and Huang He riversGeography (D2.Geo.2.6-8)
From farming villages to the cities of MesopotamiaExplain the causes and effects of farming, surplus food and the rise of Sumerian city-states, writing and lawHistory (D2.His.14.6-8)
Ancient Egypt and the gift of the NileConnect the Nile's floods, desert and geography to Egyptian farming, beliefs, pharaohs and identityGeography (D2.Geo.6.6-8)
Ancient China: dynasties, change and continuityClassify developments from the Shang through the Han as change or continuity, including the Mandate of HeavenHistory (D2.His.2.6-8)
Athens and Sparta: two Greek governmentsCompare direct democracy in Athens with Sparta's mixed government and explain who could take part in eachCivics (D2.Civ.5.6-8)
The Roman Republic and the Twelve TablesExamine the origins, purposes and impact of Rome's written laws and republican governmentCivics (D2.Civ.3.6-8)
Barter, coins and the Silk RoadExplain how money made trade easier than barter and how distance, deserts, mountains and tolls were barriers to Silk Road tradeEconomics (D2.Eco.14.6-8)
Ashoka and the Maurya EmpireExplain why Ashoka and the Maurya Empire are historically significant, using his edicts, the Kalinga war and the spread of BuddhismHistory (D2.His.3.6-8)

Each topic names the standard it addresses. That alignment is UpOnly Learning's own reading of the published standards; the people who own those standards do not review or endorse what we publish, and standards change.

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

What is in the printable workbook

8 topics, 960 questions and 209 printed pages, with the answer key included.

$19.99 as a PDF you print at home, as many copies as you need for your own household.

Workbook store See the whole curriculum

Start with the free sample

One full topic — River valleys and the first civilizations — as a printable PDF. No payment.

Download the free sample (PDF)

Every grade of History & Social Studies

Every subject in 6th grade

Questions parents ask

How many topics are in 6th grade History & Social Studies?

8. They are listed above in teaching order, each with its one-line summary and the standard it addresses.

What does one lesson look like?

Five steps — Quick Check, Learn It, We Do It Together, You Try, Show What You Know — and then an answer key with a short explanation for every question.

Is the sample really free?

Yes. One full topic — River valleys and the first civilizations — as a printable PDF, with the answer key. No payment and no card.

Do you publish grades above 8?

Not yet. Kindergarten through 8th grade now, high school coming soon. We announce each grade when it is ready.