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Quarter 3: Empires & Encounter Across Continents

Week 27

Decline of Rome & Q3 Synthesis

Why empires fall; Q3 culminating project.

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.EE.B.76.SP.B.5W.6.7MS-LS4-3C3 D2.His.16.6-8
Teacher pacing notes(pacing · pitfalls · differentiation · assessment timing)

Pacing

Q3 culminating project Wed–Fri: 'Why do empires fall?' essay or infographic. Mon–Tue: causes of Roman decline.

Assessment timing

Q3 project is the assessment.

Common pitfalls

  • Single-cause explanations for Rome's fall — push for multi-causal thinking.
  • Confusing fall of Western Rome (476) with Eastern Rome's continuation as Byzantium.

Support

Causes-of-decline graphic organizer with 6 buckets.

Extension

Apply Rome's decline framework to one other empire of choice.

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

World Languages

3× / week

Latin roots elective

Continue weekly Latin roots focus; vocabulary quiz on Fridays.

Physical Education

Daily 30 min

Legion fitness circuits

Strength + endurance circuits scaffolded across the quarter.

Studio Art

2× / week

Medieval & Islamic studio

Manuscript work, geometric tiling, or fresco continuation.

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 Crisis of the Third Century

Social Studies

40 min

50 years, 50 emperors; inflation, plague, civil war.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain 50 years, 50 emperors.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): 50 years, 50 emperors.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): inflation, plague, civil war..
  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 "50 years, 50 emperors".

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

35 min

Q3 cumulative review: ratios, percent, geometry.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can solve q3 cumulative review: ratios, percent, geometry.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Q3 cumulative review: ratios, percent, geometry" 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.

Vocabulary

ratios · percent · geometry

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 q3 cumulative review: ratios, percent, geometry." 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

Read on Roman decline; central idea (RI.6.2).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read on Roman decline.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Read on Roman decline.
  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 on Roman decline".

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

Patterns in fossil record reveal evolutionary change (MS-LS4-3).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can patterns in fossil record reveal evolutionary change.

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 "Patterns in fossil record reveal evolutionary change (MS-LS4-3)" 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 "Patterns in fossil record reveal evolutionary change (MS-LS4-3)" on a sticky note.

Homework

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

MS-LS4-3

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

TuesdayDiocletian & Division

Social Studies

40 min

The Tetrarchy; splitting the empire to govern it.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can the Tetrarchy.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): The Tetrarchy.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): splitting the empire to govern it..
  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 Tetrarchy".

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

35 min

Q3 cumulative review: data and statistics.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can solve q3 cumulative review: data and statistics.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Q3 cumulative review: data and statistics" 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 q3 cumulative review: data and statistics." 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

Plan culminating project: 'Why did Rome fall?' (W.6.7).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can plan culminating project: 'Why did Rome fall?'.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Plan culminating project: 'Why did Rome fall?' (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 "Plan culminating project: 'Why did Rome fall?' (W".

Homework

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

W.6.7

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

30 min

Q3 cumulative review: ecosystems and heredity.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate q3 cumulative review: ecosystems and heredity.

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 "Q3 cumulative review: ecosystems and heredity" 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 "Q3 cumulative review: ecosystems and heredity" 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)

WednesdayBarbarian Pressures

Social Studies

40 min

Goths, Vandals, Huns; Adrianople 378; sack of Rome 410.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain goths, Vandals, Huns.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Goths, Vandals, Huns.
  3. Together (12 min): Adrianople 378.
  4. Independent practice (14 min): sack of Rome 410..
  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 "Goths, Vandals, Huns".

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

Q3 cumulative assessment.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can solve q3 cumulative assessment.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Q3 cumulative assessment" 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 q3 cumulative assessment." 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

Draft culminating essay/project.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can draft culminating essay/project.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Draft culminating essay/project" — 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 "Draft culminating essay/project".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Q3 cumulative assessment — written portion.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate q3 cumulative assessment — written portion.

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 "Q3 cumulative assessment — written portion" 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 "Q3 cumulative assessment — written portion" 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)

ELA

  • Lined paper

ThursdayFall of the Western Empire

Social Studies

40 min

476 CE: Romulus Augustulus deposed; what 'fall' actually means.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain 476 CE: Romulus Augustulus deposed.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): 476 CE: Romulus Augustulus deposed.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): what 'fall' actually means..
  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 "476 CE: Romulus Augustulus deposed".

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

35 min

Cumulative review feedback & corrections.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can cumulative review feedback & corrections.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Cumulative review feedback & corrections" 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 cumulative review feedback & corrections." 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

Revise culminating essay/project.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can revise culminating essay/project.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Revise culminating essay/project" — 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 "Revise culminating essay/project".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Q3 lab practical — fossil dating or pedigree station.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate q3 lab practical — fossil dating or pedigree station.

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 "Q3 lab practical — fossil dating or pedigree station" 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 "Q3 lab practical — fossil dating or pedigree station" 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

ELA

  • Lined paper

Science

  • Lab notebook

FridayQ3 Showcase

Social Studies

40 min

Present 'Why Rome Fell' projects; compare with Han collapse.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can present 'Why Rome Fell' projects.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Present 'Why Rome Fell' projects.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): compare with Han collapse..
  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 "Present 'Why Rome Fell' projects".

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

35 min

Cumulative review wrap-up; share strategies.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can cumulative review wrap-up.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Cumulative review wrap-up.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): share strategies..
  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 cumulative review wrap-up." 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 culminating essay; portfolio entry.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can publish culminating essay.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Publish culminating essay.
  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 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 culminating essay".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

30 min

Q3 portfolio sync; reflection on the half-year.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate q3 portfolio sync.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Q3 portfolio sync.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): reflection on the half-year..
  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 "Q3 portfolio sync" 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)

ELA

  • Lined paper

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