GRADE SIX: the required elements

Theory: The rise of monumental architecture, temple-monopolized systems of writing, and standing armies lead to a rigid and crystalized state of permanent war and politcally-enforced terror; but the appearance of new and more portable systems of writing spread by a new merchant and trading class enabled individuals to adopt cross-cultural values and share ideas to question the validity of the values of the warrior and the high priest. This articulation of a new ideal beyond the real conditions of political society interacted with the globally-spreading Geometrical Mentality as individual teachers energized a shift from ancient religions to classical philosophies.

Practice: The study of philosophy, sacred language, and sacred geometry; the masculinist idea of higher mathematics as a vehicle of the souls transcendence contrasted to the Eleusinian Mysteries of the immanental Earth Goddess and her daughter.

Integrated Studies Project: Pythagoras and the Monochord.

Math Units:

• Topics:
  • Euclid, Books III, IV, constructions
• History:
  • Thales
  • Pythagoras
  • Plato
• Activities:
  • The monochord, musical scales, ratios
  • Canons of sculptural and architectural proportion
  • Verify the Pythagorean theorem for integral right triangles by measuring the sides and areas
• Suggested Integrative Projects (one required):
  • The Value of Pi
  • The Dimensions of the Temple of Solomon
  • Arithmetic in Phoenician notation