2024 Social Science Standards Alignment

This section is aligned with the following standards:

6/7.C.PI.2 - Compare and contrast early forms of governance in civilizations and empires after 600 CE, including the treatment of historically underrepresented groups and individuals.
6/7.H.CC.5 - Use primary and secondary sources to identify and analyze the interactions and exchanges of cultures and civilizations after 600 CE.
6/7.G.GR.1 - Construct and use maps and other representations, technologies, and spatial thinking to compare how physical geography, human, and environmental characteristics of a region influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas among civilizations and empires.
6/7.EF.10.ST - Compare specialization and trade in two or more civilizations or empires.

Essential Disciplinary Practice Alignment

This section models activities related to the following Essential Disciplinary Practice (EDP):

EDP 6 - Construct well-reasoned and logically coherent explanations, arguments and solutions related to complex societal issues.

Essential Disciplinary Practice 6 speaks to the importance of constructing well-reasoned and logically coherent explanations, arguments and solutions related to complex societal issues. This requires inquiry-led learning, deep engagement with content and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources or perspectives. In this section, we will model instruction of EDP 6 with an activity for students to compare and contrast the Mali Empire with the Mongol Empire and write a theorizing statement about how empires acquired power.

Step 1: Read

Let’s begin by familiarizing ourselves with the content students will engage with. Although they were geographically distant, both the Mali and Mongol empires reached power at similar times in the 13th century. The Mali Empire was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa, while the Mongol Empire in Central Asia became the largest contiguous land empire up to that point. The goal is to understand how these empires rose to power, maintained their rule and eventually declined.

The following two articles from the World History Encyclopedia offer a deeper look into the Mali and Mongol Empires. Take a moment to read both to further your understanding.

Webpage - Mali Empire
Webpage - Mongol Empire

Step 2: Write

After reviewing both documents, begin to fill out the graphic organizer below. The graphic organizer can also be utilized with students. It should prompt students to engage deeply with historical content and articulate clear, logical explanations and arguments. Consider ways you can adapt it for your classroom context or for teaching about other global civilizations and empires.

Word - Graphic Organizer: Comparing Empires

Step 3: Reflect

A completed version of the handout is provided for your reference below. Use it to compare with your responses. You may have identified power, expansion and conflict as some of the broader themes in these historical narratives. Reflect in your Journal Space on the themes emerging from the content using the following questions:

What overarching themes about civilizations and empires did you notice?
What are the potential impacts of expanding empires on the cultures and communities within the empire?
How will you discuss and explore these themes with your own students to enhance their understanding of historical narratives?

PDF - Graphic Organizer Example: Comparing Empires

Try It Out

Now that you have gone through the activity, consider how you can apply the content in your own classroom context and think about ways to further highlight these connections with students.