Students in 6th grade will now begin to examine the histories which richly influenced U.S. development. This ancient world history study will begin with China and move West, ending with European explorers looking toward North and South America. The last unit of study will focus on Europe in the Middle Ages and the development of absolutism. This will be used as a linking theme to the development of the U.S. directly before the Revolutionary War and the creation of the government as discussed in 7th and 8th grade. There is a heavy culture and geography emphasis during the 6th grade year, reinforcing the importance of global studies.