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Quarter 2: Foundations of Western Thought & the Mediterranean

Week 13

The Persian Empire & the Persian Wars

Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes; Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis.

Study tools for this week

Teach from the daily lesson cards below. Open the matching study guides, answer keys, vocabulary, and cross-references when a student needs help or you want to preview.

6.RP.A.36.NS.C.5RI.6.3W.6.7MS-LS1-5C3 D2.His.4.6-8
Teacher pacing notes(pacing · pitfalls · differentiation · assessment timing)

Pacing

Persian Wars map work Mon–Tue; Marathon/Thermopylae/Salamis battles one per day Wed–Fri.

Assessment timing

Friday: Persian Wars quiz (map + 3 short-answers).

Common pitfalls

  • Cheering exclusively for Greeks — Persian Empire was sophisticated and tolerant.
  • Confusing battle order and outcomes.

Support

Battle-comparison graphic organizer (date, who won, why it mattered).

Extension

Counterfactual: what if Persia had won at Salamis?

Specials this week(Hellenistic World · art · music · PE · language · life skills)

Physical Education

Daily 30 min

Mini-Olympics finals

Closing ceremonies, medals, and reflection writing in ELA the next day.

World Languages

3× / week

Greek roots scavenger hunt

Identify Greek roots in science vocabulary (bio-, hydro-, geo-, astro-).

Life Skills & Logic

1× / week

Greek salad cooking lab

Knife-safety lesson + simple Greek salad; connects to ratios in dressing recipes.

See the full Specials program for cadence and year-long arc.

Tap Edit on any day to customize objectives and activities. Changes save to this browser.

Print Mon–Fri Binder packet

MondayThe Persian Empire

Social Studies

40 min

Cyrus the Great; satraps and the Royal Road; Zoroastrianism.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can cyrus the Great.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Cyrus the Great.
  3. Together (12 min): satraps and the Royal Road.
  4. Independent practice (14 min): Zoroastrianism..
  5. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.

At-home tip for parents

At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "Cyrus the Great".

Homework

Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Math

50 min

Percent as ratio per 100 (6.RP.A.3); convert fractions ↔ percents.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can percent as ratio per 100.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Percent as ratio per 100 (6.RP.A.3).
  3. Independent practice (12 min): convert fractions ↔ percents..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.

At-home tip for parents

Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of percent as ratio per 100 (6." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.

Homework

Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.

6.RP.A.3

Resources & materials to teach from (6)

ELA

45 min

Read on Cyrus; analyze how individuals shape events (RI.6.3).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read on Cyrus.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Read on Cyrus.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): analyze how individuals shape events ..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Read on Cyrus".

Homework

Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.

RI.6.3

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Plant response to gravity (gravitropism) — design a tilt test.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can plant response to gravity (gravitropism) — design a tilt test.

Lesson flow

  1. Phenomenon (5 min): show an image, video, or demo and ask, "What do you notice? What do you wonder?"
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): teacher introduces the science of "Plant response to gravity (gravitropism) — design a tilt test" with a labeled diagram.
  3. Investigation (20 min): students gather data — observe, measure, model, or run the lab.
  4. Sense-making (8 min): students record a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning response in the lab notebook.
  5. Share-out (2 min): one group presents data; class compares results.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Plant response to gravity (gravitropism) — design a tilt test" on a sticky note.

Homework

Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.

Resources & materials to teach from (4)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

  • Sharpened pencil & eraser
  • Day's notebook (one section per subject)

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

TuesdayMarathon, 490 BCE

Social Studies

40 min

The Battle of Marathon; the runner Pheidippides.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can the Battle of Marathon.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): The Battle of Marathon.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): the runner Pheidippides..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.

At-home tip for parents

At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "The Battle of Marathon".

Homework

Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Math

50 min

Find the percent of a quantity; tax & tip basics.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can find the percent of a quantity.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Find the percent of a quantity.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): tax & tip basics..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.

At-home tip for parents

Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of find the percent of a quantity." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.

Homework

Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

ELA

45 min

Begin Herodotus excerpts; primary source vs. secondary source.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can begin Herodotus excerpts.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Begin Herodotus excerpts.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): primary source vs. secondary source..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Begin Herodotus excerpts".

Homework

Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Light direction & phototropism investigation setup.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can light direction & phototropism investigation setup.

Lesson flow

  1. Phenomenon (5 min): show an image, video, or demo and ask, "What do you notice? What do you wonder?"
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): teacher introduces the science of "Light direction & phototropism investigation setup" with a labeled diagram.
  3. Investigation (20 min): students gather data — observe, measure, model, or run the lab.
  4. Sense-making (8 min): students record a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning response in the lab notebook.
  5. Share-out (2 min): one group presents data; class compares results.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Light direction & phototropism investigation setup" on a sticky note.

Homework

Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.

Resources & materials to teach from (3)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

  • Sharpened pencil & eraser
  • Day's notebook (one section per subject)

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

ELA

  • Anchor text or passage handout

Science

  • Lab notebook

WednesdayThermopylae, 480 BCE

Social Studies

40 min

Leonidas, the 300, and the strategic pass.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain leonidas, the 300, and the strategic pass.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): map / timeline question on the board to activate yesterday's learning.
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): teacher-led overview of "Leonidas, the 300, and the strategic pass" using the textbook or atlas.
  3. Guided practice (15 min): annotate a primary source, label a map, or sort cards on a timeline with a partner.
  4. Independent practice (10 min): students respond in their notebook with one claim + one piece of evidence.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.

At-home tip for parents

At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "Leonidas, the 300, and the strategic pass".

Homework

Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Math

50 min

Find the whole given a part and a percent.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can find the whole given a part and a percent.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Find the whole given a part and a percent" with the teacher modeling thinking out loud.
  3. We do (10 min): class works two problems together; students explain each step.
  4. You do (15 min): students try 4–6 problems independently or with a partner; teacher confers.
  5. Closure (5 min): one student presents a solution; class critiques the reasoning.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.

At-home tip for parents

Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of find the whole given a part and a percent." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.

Homework

Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

ELA

45 min

Vocabulary: tyranny, hoplite, phalanx, trireme.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read and write about vocabulary: tyranny, hoplite, phalanx, trireme.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Vocabulary: tyranny, hoplite, phalanx, trireme" — students follow along and annotate.
  3. Discussion (10 min): turn-and-talk on a focus question, then share out with text evidence.
  4. Writing (15 min): students respond in writer's notebook — one paragraph minimum, citing the text.
  5. Share (3 min): two volunteers read a sentence they're proud of.

Vocabulary

tyranny · hoplite · phalanx · trireme

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Vocabulary: tyranny, hoplite, phalanx, trireme".

Homework

Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Daily phototropism observation; record bend angle.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can daily phototropism observation.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Daily phototropism observation.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): record bend angle..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Daily phototropism observation" on a sticky note.

Homework

Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

  • Sharpened pencil & eraser
  • Day's notebook (one section per subject)

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

ELA

  • Vocabulary notebook

Science

  • Graph paper for data

ThursdaySalamis & Plataea

Social Studies

40 min

Themistocles and the Athenian fleet; Greek alliance victory.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can themistocles and the Athenian fleet.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Themistocles and the Athenian fleet.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): Greek alliance victory..
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.

At-home tip for parents

At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "Themistocles and the Athenian fleet".

Homework

Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.

Resources & materials to teach from (6)

Math

50 min

Percent increase/decrease with negative-number framing.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can percent increase/decrease with negative-number framing.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Percent increase/decrease with negative-number framing" with the teacher modeling thinking out loud.
  3. We do (10 min): class works two problems together; students explain each step.
  4. You do (15 min): students try 4–6 problems independently or with a partner; teacher confers.
  5. Closure (5 min): one student presents a solution; class critiques the reasoning.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.

At-home tip for parents

Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of percent increase/decrease with negative-number framing." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.

Homework

Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

ELA

45 min

Mini-research: choose one Persian War battle (W.6.7).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read and write about mini-research: choose one Persian War battle.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Mini-research: choose one Persian War battle (W" — students follow along and annotate.
  3. Discussion (10 min): turn-and-talk on a focus question, then share out with text evidence.
  4. Writing (15 min): students respond in writer's notebook — one paragraph minimum, citing the text.
  5. Share (3 min): two volunteers read a sentence they're proud of.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Mini-research: choose one Persian War battle (W".

Homework

Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.

W.6.7

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Compare gravitropism vs. phototropism evidence.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can compare gravitropism vs.

Lesson flow

  1. Phenomenon (5 min): show an image, video, or demo and ask, "What do you notice? What do you wonder?"
  2. Mini-lesson (10 min): teacher introduces the science of "Compare gravitropism vs" with a labeled diagram.
  3. Investigation (20 min): students gather data — observe, measure, model, or run the lab.
  4. Sense-making (8 min): students record a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning response in the lab notebook.
  5. Share-out (2 min): one group presents data; class compares results.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Compare gravitropism vs" on a sticky note.

Homework

Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.

Resources & materials to teach from (3)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

  • Sharpened pencil & eraser
  • Day's notebook (one section per subject)

Social Studies

  • Timeline strip

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

FridayAfter the Wars

Social Studies

40 min

Delian League → Athenian Empire; tensions sown for later war.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can delian League.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Delian League.
  3. Together (12 min): Athenian Empire.
  4. Independent practice (14 min): tensions sown for later war..
  5. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.

At-home tip for parents

At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "Delian League".

Homework

Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.

Resources & materials to teach from (6)

Math

50 min

Mixed practice: percent and rate problems.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can mixed practice: percent and rate problems.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Mixed practice: percent and rate problems" with the teacher modeling thinking out loud.
  3. We do (10 min): class works two problems together; students explain each step.
  4. You do (15 min): students try 4–6 problems independently or with a partner; teacher confers.
  5. Closure (5 min): one student presents a solution; class critiques the reasoning.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.

At-home tip for parents

Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of mixed practice: percent and rate problems." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.

Homework

Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.

Resources & materials to teach from (5)

ELA

45 min

Publish mini-research with a 'works cited' line.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can publish mini-research with a 'works cited' line.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Publish mini-research with a 'works cited' line" — students follow along and annotate.
  3. Discussion (10 min): turn-and-talk on a focus question, then share out with text evidence.
  4. Writing (15 min): students respond in writer's notebook — one paragraph minimum, citing the text.
  5. Share (3 min): two volunteers read a sentence they're proud of.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Publish mini-research with a 'works cited' line".

Homework

Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

30 min

Lab journal sync; what variables affected results?

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can lab journal sync.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Lab journal sync.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): what variables affected results?.
  4. Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Check for understanding

Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.

At-home tip for parents

Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Lab journal sync" on a sticky note.

Homework

Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.

Resources & materials to teach from (3)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

  • Sharpened pencil & eraser
  • Day's notebook (one section per subject)

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

ELA

  • Lined paper

Science

  • Lab notebook

Part of the K–6 Homeschool Curriculum series · Grade 6 · Eastern Hemisphere & Ancient Civilizations