Embedded Files
Course Overview
Grade 6 Science focuses on Earth and Space Science Standards from the Massachusetts Science Technology and Engineering Frameworks. Major topics include density, weather, plate tectonics, and earth, sun, moon modeling.
Measurement
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Understand the relationship between mass, volume, density, and the ability of materials to sink or float.
Describe how mass and volume determine density.
Demonstrate the use of a triple beam balance and graduated cylinder to measure mass and volume.
Apply the formula for density (D = M/V) to calculate the density of various objects and materials.
Model how density affects the behavior of objects in fluids (e.g., sinking or floating).
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
How do we measure the world around us?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
Investigate mass, volume, and density using tools such as triple beam balances, graduated cylinders, and digital simulations.
Conduct experiments to understand how density affects the behavior of materials in water (e.g., sinking or floating).
Design a recycling factory that applies knowledge of density to separate materials.
Participate in cooperative learning groups to calculate and compare densities of different objects.
Weather and Climate
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Differentiate between weather and climate.
Create models to show how energy from the sun drives the water cycle and affects weather patterns.
Explain how the atmosphere interacts with the ocean to influence weather and climate patterns.
Analyze data to understand weather patterns and predict future weather conditions.
Describe how human activities impact the climate and identify ways to reduce this impact.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
What role does energy from the sun play in Earth's weather and climate systems?
How can we use data to predict weather and understand climate trends?
How do human activities influence the climate, and what can be done to slow down these effects?
How do differences in density and other physical measurements influence weather patterns?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
Create diagrams to show how energy transfer from the sun impacts weather.
Analyze weather data (temperature, precipitation, wind speed, etc.) over time to identify trends and make predictions.
Use digital simulations to show atmospheric circulation and the water cycle.
Research and report on the effects of climate change on different regions and present solutions to address its impacts.
Earth Science
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Identify the types of rocks and their formation processes.
Explain the theory of plate tectonics and its effects on Earth's surface.
Analyze and interpret rock layers and index fossils to determine the relative ages of rock formations.
Construct explanations based on evidence for how Earth's surface has changed over time.
Use models to illustrate how energy from Earth’s interior drives processes such as convection, leading to the recycling of Earth's crust and phenomena like mountain building, ocean trench formation, and volcanic activity.
Explain how natural processes (weathering, erosion, and deposition) shape Earth’s surface and how rocks are constantly recycled.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
How does the rock cycle demonstrate the continuous change and recycling of materials on Earth?
How do unseen forces reshape the Earth's surface?
How do plate boundaries contribute to geological features like mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes?
How did scientists discover that the Earth continuously changes over time?
How do differences in density and other physical measurements influence movement of materials inside the Earth?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
Investigate the rock cycle and create models to demonstrate the stages of rock formation.
Use simulations and models to explain convection currents in Earth’s mantle and their impact on plate tectonics.
Conduct hands-on experiments to model weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Research and create posters to explore the layers of Earth and the processes that drive plate tectonics.
Use digital tools and simulations (e.g., Google Earth, Gizmo and Google Slides) to investigate seafloor spreading, continental drift, and plate boundaries.
Space
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Describe how the Earth, Sun, and Moon interact to cause phenomena like day and night.
Explain how the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun cause the seasons.
Model the phases of the Moon and explain why we see different phases from Earth.
Explain how solar and lunar eclipses happen based on the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
Analyze how the Earth’s rotation and revolution around the Sun affect our experience of time.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
How do the motions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon create natural and predictable phenomena?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
Create or use 3D models or simulations to demonstrate the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
Observe how the Moon's position relative to the Sun and Earth creates different phases.
Create a model to explain how the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun causes eclipses.
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