The 6th-grade science course is a piece of a banded 6th-8th-grade curriculum, which follows the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. We teach these particular units in 6th grade because they provide our students with the necessary foundation and background knowledge needed in a multitude of scientific areas. The units, including Stream Ecosystems, Water Properties, Weather, Electricity and Magnetism, Properties of Light, Inside Earth, Rocks, and Minerals, and Earth’s Systems (Earth, Moon, and Sun) have been coordinated with seventh and 8th-grade curricula. Metric measurement skills will be integrated throughout each unit.
How does the evidence prove or disprove a claim?
Is Gorilla brand tape three times stronger than value brand tape?
Which diaper brand is more absorbent and keeps the baby dry?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
SEP: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
How is freshwater essential to life?
How is the quality of freshwater determined?
How can we improve biodiversity and reduce human impact on the watershed?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: MS-LS2-5
Human Impacts: MS-ESS3-3
How has matter and its properties shaped our world?
How does the structure of water cause it to have unique properties?
How does the knowledge of measurement affect our ability to survive?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Structure and Properties of Matters: MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-4
How can accurate weather predictions increase our ability to survive?
How do people predict the weather?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Human Impacts: MS-ESS2D, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS2.C
How can the production of electricity increase the rate of survival?
Where does electricity come from and how can it be used to do work?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Structure and Properties of Matters: MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-1, MS-PS2, MS-PS2-3
What is light and how does it behave?
Where does light come from?
What can happen when light hits objects?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Structure and Properties of Matters: MS-PS4-2, PS4.A, PS4.B
How do scientists know what it’s like inside the earth?
What are the layers of earth and what happens in each layer?
What are the methods of heat transfer?
What are plates and how do they move?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Human Impact: MS-ESS2.B, MS-ESS1.C
How do rocks tell us about the forces that have shaped the earth?
What are the different types of rocks and how do they form?
How are rocks/minerals identified?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Human Impact: MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS1-4, MS-ESS2-3
How do the motions of Earth affect the people on Earth?
What causes seasons?
What causes day and night?
How are tides, eclipses, and phases of the moon related?
Textbooks
Web-based subscriptions:
Mosa Mack
GIZMO
Inner Orbit
Web-based resources
Measuring tools
Lab-related hands-on equipment
Students will:
ask questions and define problems.
develop and use models.
plan and carry out investigations.
analyze and interpret data.
use mathematics and computational thinking.
construct explanations and design solutions.
engage in arguments from evidence.
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information.
Human Impact: MS-ESS1-1