Grade 6 Science

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Course Overview

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Grade 6 Science is an integrated course covering Astronomy, Forces and Motion and Earth Structure. The course includes lab videos where students observe experiments that demonstrate the concepts they are learning. Course Topics Include:

• Objects in Space

• Forces and Movement in Space

• Force and Motion

• Newton’s Laws and Energy

• Electricity and Magnetism

• Earth Systems

• Rocks and Minerals

• Plate Boundaries and Movement

• Earthquakes and Volcanoes

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Scope and Sequence

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Unit 1: Objects in Space This unit introduces the the concepts of axis and equator, planets and moons, stars, constellations, and actual vs. apparent motion.  Also included are the concepts of the scientific method, lab safety, and an activity modeling how to follow the steps of the scientific method during an experiment.

Unit 2: Forces and Movement in Space The Forces and Movement in Space unit delves into rotation and revolution, reasons for seasons, solstice and equinox, and gravity.  Additionally, this unit covers objects in orbit, moon motions, moon phases, solar and lunar eclipse, and a pinhole viewer activity.

Unit 3: History of the Solar System and Rockets This unit covers rocket inventions, modern rockets, how rockets work, and the space race.  This unit also introduces space spinoffs, ancient solar system models, large and small solar system Objects, solar system formation, and a rocket lab activity.

Unit 4: Solar System Objects and Space Measurement In this unit, students study the layers of the sun, sun features, dwarf planets, comet features, asteroids, and meteoroids and meteors. space measurements, star characteristics, the life cycle of a star, and galaxy types are also introduced. Additionally, this unit includes an activity focused on the scale of the solar system.

Unit 5: Force and Motion The Forces and Motion unit begins by introducing motion, relative motion, speed, and velocity.  Students learn how to graph speed, and understand acceleration, force, net force, and friction.  This unit also includes an activity focusing on friction force and roller coaster physics.

Unit 6: Newton’s Laws and Energy Building on the previous unit, this unit analyzes the 1st Law of Motion, 2nd Law of Motion, and 3rd Law of Motion.  This unit also delves into work, power, energy, types of energy, forms of energy, energy transformation, and energy conservation.  This unit also includes activities focused on energy transformation, marble energy, and Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion.

Unit 7: Electricity and Magnetism The Electricity and Magnetism unit focuses on electrical charges, electrical fields, charge build up, static discharge, and a Sparks are Flying activity.  Additionally, electric current, electric circuits, and conductors and insulators are covered.  Finally, this unit investigates what is in a circuit, types of circuits, magnetism, an activity focused on making a compass, and magnetic fields.

Unit 8: Earth Systems The Earth Systems unit focuses on the main earth system parts, including the age of earth, a rock strata activity, the 4 “Spheres”, as well as constructive and destructive forces.  Also included in this unit is the study of earth’s interior, the layers of earth, and heat transfer.

Unit 9: Rocks and Minerals This unit delves into minerals, mineral identification, how minerals form, the characteristics of rocks, and classifying rocks.  Also covered in this unit are the concepts of igneous rocks, sedimentary rock, metamorphic rock, rock cycle, and a starburst rock cycle activity.

Unit 10: Plate Boundaries and Movement This unit covers continental drift, mid-ocean ridges, seafloor spreading and trenches, as well as subduction, subduction and earth’s oceans, and plate tectonics.  This unit also covers divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, transforming of boundaries, the three types of stress, fault formation, and an activity that focuses on plate tectonics.

Unit 11: Earthquakes and Volcanoes The Earthquakes and Volcanoes unit introduces earthquakes, seismic waves, measuring earthquakes, and earthquake risk. This unit also covers volcanoes, inside a volcano, volcanic eruption, stages of volcanic activity, lava and ash created landforms, magma created landforms, and seismograph lab activity.