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Science Curriculum

6th Grade Science Course Description:

In 6th grade science, we will work through three units during the school year. Each science unit uses a phenomenon-based approach in which the students act as scientists to develop an explanation for the phenomenon.  Students will be exposed to the three major areas of science:  Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. There will be a strong focus on class participation, peer work/sharing, and questioning techniques which will guide the pace of the class and science instruction.

 

Life Science Unit:  

 

During this unit, students will investigate and explain shared characteristics of living organisms.  To explain this, students will identify and explain levels of organization within living organisms and how different levels contribute to the survival of the organism.  At each level of organization, students will analyze and explain important chemical reactions and processes that all living organisms must carry out to survive.  Students will investigate the role of specific compounds and elements, such as carbon, that contribute to the overall function of the organism.  Students will construct a model to explain growth within an organism and also as a means to produce offspring.   

 

Forces Unit:

During this unit, students will develop an understanding of how forces work as they relate to an object's motion.  They will participate in experiments and learning experiences to explore forces and the effect of forces.  Students will investigate, discuss, and explain what a force is, what is required for there to be a force, and what is a push or a pull.  Students will participate in a variety of learning experiences to explore the forces topic in depth.

My Place In Space Unit:

During this unit, students will investigate, discuss, and explain the reason that seasons on earth change in a repeated cycle.  Proposed explanations (models) will be evaluated using evidence gathered from classroom activities and provided evidence.  Students will describe how the relative positions of objects in a system influence the conditions observed from both an Earth-based and space-based perspective.  Students will explain the mechanics of planetary movement of our solar system by integrating knowledge of Newton’s Laws of Motion and gravitation.