1. All students will understand key influences which shaped and still shape the world

• know how and where key civilizations were formed
  
• know about key world cultures, i.e., cultural universals, throughout history
  
• know about the daily life of people at various points in world history
  
• know about key people, events, inventions, and discoveries in the world, including motivation and impact.
  
• All students will possess a mental time line of world history
  
• know how to place key influences on a time line
  
• possess a logical sense of what life was like when key influences occurred
  
• know the causes and effects of key influences
  
• explain the paleolithic era in terms of human development.

3. All students will possess a mental map of the world

• interpret various types of maps and specialized charts of the world
  
• make charts/maps to show information
  
• know significant geographic locations.

4. All students will demonstrate an understanding of some of the known developments of early humankind and identify the tools of archaeology that unlock the mysteries of prehistory, and demonstrate knowledge of important archaeological discoveries

• describe the characteristics of a hunter-gather community, including the tools used, shelters, diet, and use of fire
  
• explain the interaction between the environment and the daily life of prehistoric people as they moved to become food producers
  
• explain the development of language as a means of acquiring knowledge and transmitting ideas.

5. All students will demonstrate an understanding of the main characteristics of the civilization in Mesopotamia

• list the defining characteristics of a "civilization," i.e., cultural universals
  
• locate Mesopotamia and explain why it is called the "fertile crescent"
  
• describe the cultural and technological accomplishments of the Sumerians, such as the inventions of the wheel, plow, and irrigation.

6. All students will demonstrate an understanding of the major characteristics of early Egyptian civilization of NE Africa

• locate the Nile River and describe its importance to the people of the area for food, agriculture, and trade; describe irrigation practices still in use
  
• explain the political and social structure of Egypt
  
• explain the belief system of the Egyptians and the role the Nile River played in their beliefs
  
• describe the cultural and technological accomplishments of the Egyptians.

7. All students will demonstrate an understanding of the ideas and sources of the ancient Israelites

• explain the major ideas of the Hebrew religion that have helped to form Western Civilization's ethical and religious thought and its literary heritage
  
• examine the ancient Hebrews' concepts of wisdom, righteousness, law, and justice.

8. All students will explain how civilizations developed in the Indus River Valley

• identify the geographical features of the Indus River Valley that contributed to the development of civilization
  
• demonstrate knowledge of the early Indus River Valley civilization and their achievements
  
• explain some of the central beliefs and moral teachings of Buddhism and how Buddhism proved to be a civilizing force in the region
  
• describe the cultural and technological accomplishments of the Indus River Valley civilization.

9. All students will demonstrate an understanding of major people and developments in the rise of ancient Chinese civilization

• identify the geographic features of China that made government and the transmission of ideas difficult
  
• describe the life of Confucius, and explain some of the basic tenets of Confucianism regarding family and government
  
• identify Confucian principles as they appear in Chinese fables or tales
  
• describe the cultural and technological accomplishments of ancient China.

10. All students will demonstrate an understanding of some of the known developments of Ancient Greece and its influence on Western Civilization

• explain concepts of democracy derived from ancient Athens that have influenced Western Civilization
  
• explain how the Greek city states' location at the "crossroads" of the ancient world influenced trade, wars and cultural diffusion
  
• understand the influences of Greek mythology and Homeric literature on daily life
  
• describe the cultural and technological accomplishments of the Ancient Greeks