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Quarter 4: Medieval Worlds & Cultural Synthesis

Week 35

Mongols, Plague & the End of the Medieval World

How globalization in 1300 changed everything.

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.SP.B.56.RP.A.3RI.6.3W.6.1MS-LS4-6C3 D2.His.16.6-8
Teacher pacing notes(pacing · pitfalls · differentiation · assessment timing)

Pacing

Mongol expansion Mon–Tue (map activity), Black Death cause/effect Wed–Thu. Friday: 'globalization in 1300' synthesis.

Assessment timing

Friday: Mongols + plague quiz.

Common pitfalls

  • Mongols as only destroyers — they protected trade routes and enabled exchange.
  • Plague as purely European — it devastated Asia and the Middle East too.

Support

Cause/effect chain for plague spread.

Extension

Argue: was the Mongol Empire net-positive or net-negative for world history?

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

Music

1× / week

World ensemble

Continue West African or Mesoamerican rhythm/percussion work for the spring showcase.

Life Skills & Logic

1× / week

Capstone studio time

Weekly work block on the year-end exhibition project.

World Languages

3× / week

World language wrap-up

Begin end-of-year language portfolio and oral presentation prep.

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

MondayGenghis Khan & the Mongols

Social Studies

40 min

Steppe society; the largest contiguous empire in history.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can steppe society.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Steppe society.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): the largest contiguous empire in history..
  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 "Steppe society".

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

Compare empire areas with bar chart; Mongol vs. Roman vs. British.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can compare empire areas with bar chart.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Compare empire areas with bar chart.
  3. Together (12 min): Mongol vs.
  4. Together (14 min): Roman vs.
  5. Independent practice (16 min): British..
  6. 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 compare empire areas with bar chart." 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

Read on Genghis Khan; how individuals shape events (RI.6.3).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read on Genghis Khan.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Read on Genghis Khan.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): 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 Genghis Khan".

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

Human activities & natural selection (MS-LS4-6).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can human activities & natural selection (MS-LS4-6).

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 "Human activities & natural selection" 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 "Human activities & natural selection" on a sticky note.

Homework

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

MS-LS4-6

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

TuesdayThe Pax Mongolica

Social Studies

40 min

Safe travel across the Silk Road; Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can safe travel across the Silk Road.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Safe travel across the Silk Road.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): Marco Polo & Ibn Battuta..
  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 "Safe travel across the Silk Road".

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

Travel-time problems on Silk Road under Pax Mongolica.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can solve travel-time problems on Silk Road under Pax Mongolica.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Travel-time problems on Silk Road under Pax Mongolica" 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 travel-time problems on Silk Road under Pax Mongolica." 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: khan, plague, pandemic, exchange.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read and write about vocabulary: khan, plague, pandemic, exchange.

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: khan, plague, pandemic, exchange" — 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

khan · plague · pandemic · exchange

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: khan, plague, pandemic, exchange".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Investigation: model how trade routes spread organisms.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate investigation: model how trade routes spread organisms.

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: model how trade routes spread organisms" 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: model how trade routes spread organisms" 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)

ELA

  • Vocabulary notebook

Science

  • Lab notebook
  • Sketching pencils & ruler

WednesdayBlack Death, 1347–1351

Social Studies

40 min

Plague along the trade routes; ⅓ of Europe's population dies.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can plague along the trade routes.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Plague along the trade routes.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): ⅓ of Europe's population dies..
  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 "Plague along the trade routes".

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 population loss: data sets across European cities.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can percent population loss: data sets across European cities.

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 population loss: data sets across European cities" 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 population loss: data sets across European cities." 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

Read a primary-source plague account; perspective (RI.6.6).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can read a primary-source plague account.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Read a primary-source plague account.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): perspective (RI.6.6)..
  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 a primary-source plague account".

Homework

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

RI.6.6

Resources & materials to teach from (2)

Science

45 min

Disease as selection pressure on human populations.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can disease as selection pressure on human populations.

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 "Disease as selection pressure on human populations" 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 "Disease as selection pressure on human populations" 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

ThursdayAftermath of the Plague

Social Studies

40 min

Labor shortages; end of feudalism; rise of towns.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can labor shortages.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): Labor shortages.
  3. Together (12 min): end of feudalism.
  4. Independent practice (14 min): rise of towns..
  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 "Labor shortages".

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (5)

Math

50 min

Wage data before vs. after plague — percent change.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can wage data before vs.

Lesson flow

  1. Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
  2. Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Wage data before vs" 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 wage data before vs." 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

Argument planning: 'Did the Black Death end the medieval world?' (W.6.1).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can argument planning: 'Did the Black Death end the medieval world?'.

Lesson flow

  1. Bell-ringer (5 min): a sentence-level grammar warm-up or quick-write prompt.
  2. Read-aloud / shared reading (12 min): "Argument planning: 'Did the Black Death end the medieval world?' (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 "Argument planning: 'Did the Black Death end the medieval world?' (W".

Homework

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

W.6.1

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Selective breeding case study (post-plague livestock).

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can selective breeding case study (post-plague livestock).

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 "Selective breeding case study (post-plague livestock)" 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 "Selective breeding case study (post-plague livestock)" 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)

FridayEnd of an Era

Social Studies

40 min

1453: Ottomans take Constantinople; Renaissance is dawning.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can explain 1453: Ottomans take Constantinople.

Lesson flow

  1. Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
  2. Together (10 min): 1453: Ottomans take Constantinople.
  3. Independent practice (12 min): Renaissance is dawning..
  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 "1453: Ottomans take Constantinople".

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

Mixed practice: percent change, data summary.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can mixed practice: percent change, data summary.

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 change, data summary" 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 change, data summary." 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

Argument essay draft & revise.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can argument essay draft & revise.

Lesson flow

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

Homework

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

Resources & materials to teach from (4)

Science

45 min

Mini-quiz on selection; portfolio entry.

Show full lesson detail

Learning target

I can investigate mini-quiz on selection.

Lesson flow

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

  • Timeline strip

Math

  • Calculator (optional)

ELA

  • Lined paper

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