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Q2 · 2025–2026

Quarter 2: Winter - Ancient Worlds

Quarter 2: Winter - Ancient Worlds

Mythology, Ancient Civilizations, and the Natural World

October 26 - December 11, 2026 (7 weeks)
Core Book: Watership Down by Richard Adams | Big Project: Ancient Civilization Diorama

Oregon State Standards - Quarter 2

Language Arts

  • RL.6.1 - Cite textual evidence from literature to support analysis
  • RL.6.2 - Determine theme and summarize
  • RL.6.3 - Describe how plot, setting, and character interact
  • RL.6.4 - Determine figurative and connotative meanings of words and phrases
  • RL.6.9 - Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres
  • RL.6.10 - Read and comprehend literature grades 6-8
  • W.6.1 - Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and evidence
  • W.6.2 - Write informational and explanatory texts
  • W.6.4 - Produce clear and coherent writing
  • W.6.5 - Strengthen writing through planning and revision
  • W.6.9 - Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis
  • L.6.4 - Determine word meanings using context and word roots
  • SL.6.4 - Present findings clearly

Mathematics

  • 6.RP.A.3 - Use ratio and rate reasoning including percent
  • 6.NS.B.3 - Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals
  • 6.NS.C.5 - Understand positive and negative numbers in context
  • 6.NS.C.6 - Understand rational numbers on a number line
  • 6.NS.C.7 - Order and understand absolute value of rational numbers
  • 6.EE.A.1 - Write and evaluate numerical expressions

Science (NGSS)

  • MS-LS2-1 - Analyze data on resource availability and its effects on organisms
  • MS-LS2-2 - Construct explanation about matter cycling and energy flow in ecosystems
  • MS-LS2-3 - Develop a model of cycling of matter and energy through an ecosystem
  • MS-ESS2-4 - Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems
  • MS-ESS2-6 - Develop and use a model to describe effects of plate tectonics

Social Studies

  • SS.6.H.1 - Analyze chronological reasoning and cause/effect in ancient civilizations
  • SS.6.H.2 - Gather, evaluate, and use sources about ancient world history
  • SS.6.GEO.1 - Use geographic tools and spatial thinking
  • SS.6.GEO.2 - Analyze human-environment interaction in ancient civilizations
  • SS.6.CV.1 - Analyze power and authority in ancient Greece and Rome
  • SS.6.EC.1 - Analyze economic systems and trade in the ancient world

Quarter 2 Schedule

Week 1
Oct 26-29
Into the Ancient World
RL.6.10 RL.6.3 W.6.2 6.RP.A.3 6.NS.B.3 MS-LS2-1 MS-LS2-3 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.GEO.1
Language Arts

Begin Watership Down ch. 1-5. New reading journal. Introduce compare/contrast writing structure.

Math

Percent concept. Converting between fractions, decimals, and percents. Real examples with ancient city populations.

Science

Ecosystems overview. Biotic vs abiotic factors. Terrestrial biomes: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra. Animal distribution by biome.

Social Studies

Ancient Greece. Geography of the Mediterranean, city-states, the Aegean Sea. Draw and label a map.

Thursday Project
Create "Ancient World Map." Draw and label the Mediterranean region. Illustrate with animals native to each area. Add to illustrated timeline scroll from Q1.
Week 2
Nov 2-5
Myths and Creature Characters
RL.6.1 RL.6.9 W.6.2 6.RP.A.3 6.NS.B.3 MS-LS2-1 MS-LS2-3 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.H.2
Language Arts

Watership Down ch. 6-12. Read 2 Greek myths (Arachne and Pegasus). Compare myth structure to novel structure.

Math

Percent of a number. Find 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% of quantities. Apply to ancient census data.

Science

Aquatic biomes. Freshwater vs saltwater. Coral reefs. Ocean zones and the animals that live in each.

Social Studies

Greek mythology. Gods, heroes, and creature characters (Minotaur, Cerberus, Hydra, Pegasus, Sphinx, Medusa).

Thursday Project
Draw a mythological creature in detail. Include anatomy, habitat, diet, and adaptations. Add to Creature Field Guide. Start mythology quiz card deck.
Week 3
Nov 9-12
Ancient Rome
RL.6.1 RL.6.2 W.6.2 W.6.4 6.RP.A.3 MS-ESS2-4 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.CV.1 SS.6.EC.1
Language Arts

Watership Down ch. 13-19. Compare/contrast essay first draft. Two mythological creatures OR rabbit society vs human society.

Math

Percent increase and decrease. Population growth in ancient cities. Trade route distance problems.

Science

Weather vs climate. The difference. Reading weather maps. Mediterranean climate patterns.

Social Studies

Ancient Rome. The Republic, the Senate, Roman law. Roman gods parallel to Greek gods.

Thursday Project
BEGIN Ancient Civilization Diorama. Choose your scene (Greek agora, Roman forum, Egyptian tomb, Spartan training ground). Sketch the plan.
Week 4
Nov 16-19
Biomes and Negative Numbers
RL.6.3 W.6.5 W.6.9 6.NS.C.5 6.NS.C.6 6.NS.C.7 MS-LS2-1 MS-LS2-2 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.CV.1 SS.6.GEO.2
Language Arts

Watership Down ch. 20-26. Compare/contrast essay revision.

Math

Negative numbers. Number lines, ordering, absolute value. Connect to elevation and temperature examples.

Science

Climate and animal adaptation. Hibernation, migration, thick coats, antifreeze proteins. How animals survive winter.

Social Studies

Greek city-states. Athens vs Sparta comparison. Origins of democracy.

Thursday Project
Diorama construction. Build base, background, and architecture (columns from cardboard tubes). Mythology quiz: 10 questions she writes and gives to parent.
Week 5Short Week (2 days)
Nov 23-24
Thanksgiving Week
W.6.4 W.6.5 6.NS.C.5 6.NS.C.7 MS-LS2-2 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.H.2
Language Arts

Watership Down ch. 27-29. Compare/contrast essay final draft.

Math

Integers review. Adding and subtracting with negative numbers.

Science

Quick ecosystem review. Connect biomes and weather to animal survival.

Social Studies

How did Rome fall? Brief overview of decline and legacy (roads, language, law, architecture used today).

Note
Short week - no Thursday project day. Lighter lessons. Enjoy the holiday!
Week 6
Dec 1-4
Watership Down Finale
RL.6.1 RL.6.2 RL.6.4 L.6.4 6.NS.C.5 6.EE.A.1 MS-LS2-2 MS-LS2-3 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.GEO.1 SS.6.EC.1
Language Arts

Finish Watership Down. Book quiz preparation. Vocabulary review from whole novel. Final reading journal entry.

Math

Multiplying and dividing with negative numbers. Rules and patterns. Real-world problems.

Science

Food web review. Nutrient cycling, decomposers, nitrogen cycle introduction.

Social Studies

Survey of Ancient China and India as bridge to Q3. Silk Road preview, inventions, geography.

Thursday Project
Watership Down book quiz. Diorama final details. Add figures, labels, and write museum placard (3-4 sentences describing the scene).
Week 7End of Semester
Dec 8-11
Q2 Celebration and Reflection
RL.6.1 RL.6.2 SL.6.4 6.RP.A.3 6.NS.C.5 MS-LS2-1 MS-LS2-3 SS.6.H.1 SS.6.CV.1
Language Arts

Reading journal reflection. Present book quiz. Plan winter reading list.

Math

Q2 review. Percents, decimals, negative numbers. Fun math review games.

Science

Biomes quiz. She writes 15 questions covering all biomes studied, then gives it to parent.

Social Studies

Compare two ancient civilizations (graphic organizer). Add Greece and Rome to the illustrated timeline scroll.

Thursday Project
DIORAMA PRESENTATION DAY. Full Q2 portfolio review. End of semester celebration. Review all work from September through today.

Winter and New Year Break

December 12 - January 18, 2027

Quarter 3 begins January 19, 2027

Ancient Civilization Diorama Project

A 4-week hands-on project to bring ancient history to life. Build a 3D scene showing daily life in one ancient civilization.

Step 1: Choose Your Scene (Week 3, Thursday)

Select one of these options:

  • Greek marketplace (agora) with columns and merchants
  • Roman forum with Senate building
  • Egyptian burial chamber with hieroglyphics
  • Spartan training ground

Task: Sketch your plan on paper. What's in the background? What figures are in the scene?

Step 2: Build Base and Background (Week 4, Thursday)

Materials: Shoebox or flat cardboard

  • Paint or draw the background scene on cardstock and attach it
  • Create the floor/ground surface (sand, stone, tile, etc.)
  • Build columns from cardboard tubes and other materials
  • Add textures if desired

Step 3: Add Figures and Details (Week 6, Thursday)

Materials: Air-dry clay, paper cutouts, found objects

  • Create or collect small figures for your scene
  • Include at least one animal that would be present in this civilization
  • Add pottery, clothing, tools, and other period details
  • Arrange and glue everything in place

Step 4: Labels and Museum Placard (Week 6, Thursday)

  • Label 3-5 key elements in the scene (use index cards or markers)
  • Create a "museum placard" (3-4 sentences) describing the scene, what's happening, and when this moment took place

Step 5: Present Your Diorama (Week 7, Thursday)

Presentation Day! Explain to your audience:

  • Which civilization you chose and why
  • What scene this represents
  • What's happening in the moment shown
  • One interesting fact about daily life in this civilization

Design Your Own Escape Room: Myth and Mystery

After completing Q2, design a 4-puzzle escape room using mythology and ancient history content. You create all the clues and run it for a parent or sibling!

Puzzle Ideas:

Decode a Message

Write a secret message in Greek letters (alpha, beta, gamma, etc.). Provide a key that solvers must use to decode the message and unlock the next clue.

Match Gods to Symbols

Create cards with Greek and Roman gods. Solvers must match each god to their animal symbol (eagle for Jupiter, owl for Athena, etc.) to get a code.

Monster Riddle

Write a riddle from the perspective of the Minotaur or Medusa. Solvers must answer correctly to proceed.

Roman Numeral Puzzle

Create a math or word puzzle using Roman numerals. Solving it gives the final code to "escape."

Optional: Use a combination lock or printed "final code" card to make the finale more dramatic!

Quarter 2 Resources

Books

  • Watership Down by Richard Adams (core novel for Q2)
  • DK Eyewitness Ancient Greece (visual reference)
  • DK Eyewitness Ancient Rome (visual reference)
  • D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (beautiful illustrated edition with creature characters)

Videos and Online Resources

  • Crash Course Kids - Biomes, Weather vs Climate modules
  • Khan Academy - Percents and Integers tutorials
  • Extra History (YouTube) - Ancient Greece and Rome series
  • Rick Riordan's Mythology Blog - Fun creature references and ancient world tidbits

Supplies for This Quarter

  • Cardboard tubes (for diorama columns)
  • Air-dry clay (for figures and details)
  • Acrylic paint and brushes
  • Shoeboxes or flat cardboard pieces
  • Index cards (for labels and escape room clues)
  • Combination lock (optional, for escape room finale)
  • Cardstock, colored pencils, markers, scissors, glue