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Quarter 2: Foundations of Western Thought & the Mediterranean

Week 14

Athenian Democracy & the Golden Age

Pericles, the Parthenon, and the world's first democracy.

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.EE.B.56.EE.B.6RI.6.2W.6.2MS-LS1-6C3 D2.Civ.6.6-8
Teacher pacing notes(pacing · pitfalls · differentiation · assessment timing)

Pacing

Heavy content week — Pericles speech analysis Wed needs full block. Math: ratio-percent connection.

Assessment timing

Friday: Athenian democracy quiz + DBQ short-response.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming 'democracy' meant universal suffrage in Athens.
  • Misreading Pericles' Funeral Oration as objective rather than political.

Support

Modern translation of Pericles excerpt with vocabulary glossed.

Extension

Compare Pericles to a modern political speech.

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

Physical Education

Daily 30 min

Mini-Olympics training

Continue Greek-themed track & field skill blocks.

Studio Art

2× / week

Mediterranean studio work

Pottery, vase painting, or sculpture tied to the week's Greek/Roman content.

Music

1× / week

Modal/early-music study

Continue work on modes; begin sight-singing simple melodies.

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

MondayPericles & Direct Democracy

Social Studies

40 min

The Assembly, Council of 500, juries; how citizens governed daily.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can the Assembly, Council of 500, juries.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): The Assembly, Council of 500, juries.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): how citizens governed daily..
  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 Assembly, Council of 500, juries".

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

Equations as questions: which value makes 3x = 12 true? (6.EE.B.5).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can equations as questions: which value makes 3x = 12 true? (6.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Equations as questions: which value makes 3x = 12 true?" 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 equations as questions: which value makes 3x = 12 true?." 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.EE.B.5

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

ELA

45 min

Read Pericles' Funeral Oration excerpts; central idea (RI.6.2).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read Pericles' Funeral Oration excerpts.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Read Pericles' Funeral Oration excerpts.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): central idea (RI.6.2)..
  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 Pericles' Funeral Oration excerpts".

Homework

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

RI.6.2

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Photosynthesis as energy capture (MS-LS1-6) — model with arrows.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate photosynthesis as energy capture — model with arrows.

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 "Photosynthesis as energy capture (MS-LS1-6) — model with arrows" 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 "Photosynthesis as energy capture (MS-LS1-6) — model with arrows" on a sticky note.

Homework

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

MS-LS1-6

Resources & materials to teach from (6)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

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

Science

  • Sketching pencils & ruler

TuesdayThe Parthenon & Acropolis

Social Studies

40 min

Phidias, ratio in architecture, civic pride in stone.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain phidias, ratio in architecture, civic pride in stone.

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 "Phidias, ratio in architecture, civic pride in stone" 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 "Phidias, ratio in architecture, civic pride in stone".

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

Use variables to represent unknown numbers (6.EE.B.6).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can use variables to represent unknown numbers.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Use variables to represent unknown numbers (6" 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 use variables to represent unknown numbers (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.EE.B.6

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

ELA

45 min

Vocabulary: democracy, oration, citizen, demagogue.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read and write about vocabulary: democracy, oration, citizen, demagogue.

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: democracy, oration, citizen, demagogue" — 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

democracy · oration · citizen · demagogue

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: democracy, oration, citizen, demagogue".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Leaf chromatography lab: separate pigments.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can leaf chromatography lab: separate pigments.

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 "Leaf chromatography lab: separate pigments" 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 "Leaf chromatography lab: separate pigments" 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)

ELA

  • Vocabulary notebook

Science

  • Lab notebook

WednesdayLimits of Athenian Democracy

Social Studies

40 min

Who counted as a citizen? Women, metics, enslaved people excluded.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can who counted as a citizen? Women, metics, enslaved people excluded.

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 "Who counted as a citizen? Women, metics, enslaved people excluded" 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 "Who counted as a citizen? Women, metics, enslaved people excluded".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Math

50 min

Write expressions for word problems with one variable.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can write expressions for word problems with one variable.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Write expressions for word problems with one variable" 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 write expressions for word problems with one variable." 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 (4)

ELA

45 min

Compare ancient and modern democracy; what changed? (RI.6.2).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can compare ancient and modern democracy.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Compare ancient and modern democracy.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): what changed? ..
  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 "Compare ancient and modern democracy".

Homework

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

RI.6.2

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Investigation: leaf surface area and light absorption.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate investigation: leaf surface area and light absorption.

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 "Investigation: leaf surface area and light absorption" 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 "Investigation: leaf surface area and light absorption" 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)

Science

  • Lab notebook

ThursdayDrama at the Festival of Dionysus

Social Studies

40 min

Tragedy and comedy as civic events; Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can tragedy and comedy as civic events.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Tragedy and comedy as civic events.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes..
  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 "Tragedy and comedy as civic events".

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

Solve one-step equations using inverse operations.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can solve one-step equations using inverse operations.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Solve one-step equations using inverse operations" 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 solve one-step equations using inverse operations." 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 (6)

ELA

45 min

Begin reading an Antigone scene; theme work.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can begin reading an Antigone scene.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Begin reading an Antigone scene.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): theme work..
  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 reading an Antigone scene".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Compare photosynthesis equation with cellular respiration.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can compare photosynthesis equation with cellular respiration.

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 photosynthesis equation with cellular respiration" 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 photosynthesis equation with cellular respiration" on a sticky note.

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (6)
Materials & worksheet checklist

Bring every day

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

Science

  • Microscope & prepared slides

FridayGolden Age Workshop

Social Studies

40 min

Build a mini-Parthenon column model; explore Greek orders.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can build a mini-Parthenon column model.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Build a mini-Parthenon column model.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): explore Greek orders..
  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 "Build a mini-Parthenon column model".

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: write & solve one-step equations.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can mixed practice: write & solve one-step equations.

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: write & solve one-step equations" 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: write & solve one-step equations." 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 (4)

ELA

45 min

Informative paragraph: 'Why is Pericles' Athens still studied?' (W.6.2).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can informative paragraph: 'Why is Pericles' Athens still studied?' (W.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Informative paragraph: 'Why is Pericles' Athens still studied?'" — 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 "Informative paragraph: 'Why is Pericles' Athens still studied?'".

Homework

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

W.6.2

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Photosynthesis quick-quiz; portfolio entry.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate photosynthesis quick-quiz.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Photosynthesis quick-quiz.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): portfolio entry..
  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 "Photosynthesis quick-quiz" 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)

Social Studies

  • Craft supplies (clay, cardstock)

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