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6th Grade Science Home Page |
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CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
SCIENCE 6th Grade
The Sixth Grade Science program of River Trails Middle School centers of the study of the physical, Earth, and Life sciences. Using hands-on activities and inquiry-based lessons, the student explores the relationship between matter and energy.
The science program of District 26 is closely aligned with both the National Science Education Standards and the State of Illinois Science Standards. Therefore, the overall goals for a student leaving River Trails are that they are scientifically literate, familiar with basic scientific ideas and processes, understand the impact of science and technology on their lives, and have a fuller, more productive life.
Within the normal activities of the classroom, the students are engaged in performing experiments which use a wide range of science equipment. The students use materials ranging from simple test tubes, to computerized sensors, which can measure changes in temperature to the hundredth in Celsius or Newtons. There are also special projects the students are engaged in, depending on the student’s teacher. Finally, students have many occasions to design their own experiments throughout the school year.
TOPICS AND CONCEPTS
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
At the end of th grade we expect our students to be able to. . . Scientific Method / Lab Safety Understand the use and care of laboratory materials Solve problems using scientific method Design and conduct experiments
Chemistry Describe how volume and mass are measured Understand how to make metric conversions Determine how to measure density of a variety of items Describe the characteristics of physical and chemical properties Describe the characteristics of a physical and chemical change
Astronomy Discuss the difference between period of revolution and rotation Identify the different phases of the moon and what causes them Explain how gravity effects the solar system Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets Explain the life cycle of a star Classify the different types of stars Classify the different types of galaxies Compare the sun structure to the Earth’s Identify some of the major constellations
Earth Science Describe the physical properties used to identify minerals Identify minerals using their physical properties Classify rocks as either igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic Use a dichotomous key to identify rocks and minerals Understand the use of rocks and minerals in society Compare the different paths of rocks through the rock cycle Understand the law of superposition and how it is used to date geologic events Determine where earthquakes come from and what causes them Calculate the epicenter of an earthquake Identify the three types of volcanoes and determine how they are formed
Natures Cycles Identify biotic and abiotic factors Compare and contrast a food web and food chain Describe the function of producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem Interpret data from a climatogram Distinguish between the different biomes Diagram and explain the carbon cycle Trace a drop of water through the water cycle
Alternative Energy Compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy resources Describe alternative uses of fossil fuels Present advantages and disadvantages of using alternative energy sources
IDEAS FOR PARENTS . . . Below is a list of strategies to encourage scientific thinking in everyday life. These strategies may be used with younger or older children. 1. Point out things to your child that you find interesting in the natural environment. (Example: Notice rainbows or mirages and talk about why you may see them at certain times. Why do leaves change color in the fall? Why do birds fly south for the winter?)
2. Make observations aloud about cause and effect situations in everyday life. Encourage your child to ask “why?”
3. Think aloud about the approximate measurements of objects, distances, etc. Model estimation. Use metric units whenever possible, but regular American units are fine, too.
4. Whenever possible, measure objects with measurement instruments (scale, meter stick, thermometer) and encourage accuracy with these tools.
5. When assembling toys, cooking with recipes, etc., involve your child in reading and following directions. Encourage accurate measurement and following steps in order.
6. Ask your child as many thought-provoking questions as possible. Have them explain their thinking and encourage them to explain in different forms (writing sentences, drawing a sketch, listing steps, etc.).
7. Teach your child to use a fire extinguisher.
8. Talk about simple tools (hammer, saw, screwdriver, ramp, pulleys) and how they are used to make jobs so much easier.
9. Talk about inventions and what life was like before these inventions.
10. Try to figure out how things work! Whenever possible, take things apart and put them back together.
11. Organize a family/neighborhood science book or magazine club. Get together on a weekly/bi-weekly basis to discuss topics of interest.
*6th Grade Homework Help/Reinforcement 1. Set aside a “no-TV” time every evening for homework and enjoyment reading. During this time, discuss and review assignments and check progress of long-term projects with your child.
2. Post a family calendar and plan for long-term projects. Set special dates to visit the library together to prepare for these projects.
3. Review the RTMS homework hotline everyday with your student. (This may be accessed through telephone or Internet.) This is an efficient and accurate way to double-check the completion of assignments.
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Lab Safety and Equipment Chemistry Electricty Magnetism Alternative Energy Astronomy Earth Science Nature’s Cycles Populations
At the end of th grade we expect our students to be able to. . . Scientific Method / Lab Safety Understand the use and care of laboratory materials Solve problems using scientific method Design and conduct experiments Chemistry Describe how volume and mass are measured Understand how to make metric conversions Determine how to measure density of a variety of items Describe the characteristics of physical and chemical properties Describe the characteristics of a physical and chemical change Astronomy Discuss the difference between period of revolution and rotation Identify the different phases of the moon and what causes them Explain how gravity effects the solar system Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets Explain the life cycle of a star Classify the different types of stars Classify the different types of galaxies Compare the sun structure to the Earth’s Identify some of the major constellations Earth Science Describe the physical properties used to identify minerals Identify minerals using their physical properties Classify rocks as either igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic Use a dichotomous key to identify rocks and minerals Understand the use of rocks and minerals in society Compare the different paths of rocks through the rock cycle Understand the law of superposition and how it is used to date geologic events Determine where earthquakes come from and what causes them Calculate the epicenter of an earthquake Identify the three types of volcanoes and determine how they are formed Natures Cycles Identify biotic and abiotic factors Compare and contrast a food web and food chain Describe the function of producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem Interpret data from a climatogram Distinguish between the different biomes Diagram and explain the carbon cycle Trace a drop of water through the water cycle Alternative Energy Compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy resources Describe alternative uses of fossil fuels Present advantages and disadvantages of using alternative energy sources
IDEAS FOR PARENTS . . . Below is a list of strategies to encourage scientific thinking in everyday life. These strategies may be used with younger or older children. 1. Point out things to your child that you find interesting in the natural environment. (Example: Notice rainbows or mirages and talk about why you may see them at certain times. Why do leaves change color in the fall? Why do birds fly south for the winter?)
2. Make observations aloud about cause and effect situations in everyday life. Encourage your child to ask “why?”
3. Think aloud about the approximate measurements of objects, distances, etc. Model estimation. Use metric units whenever possible, but regular American units are fine, too.
4. Whenever possible, measure objects with measurement instruments (scale, meter stick, thermometer) and encourage accuracy with these tools.
5. When assembling toys, cooking with recipes, etc., involve your child in reading and following directions. Encourage accurate measurement and following steps in order.
6. Ask your child as many thought-provoking questions as possible. Have them explain their thinking and encourage them to explain in different forms (writing sentences, drawing a sketch, listing steps, etc.).
7. Teach your child to use a fire extinguisher.
8. Talk about simple tools (hammer, saw, screwdriver, ramp, pulleys) and how they are used to make jobs so much easier.
9. Talk about inventions and what life was like before these inventions.
10. Try to figure out how things work! Whenever possible, take things apart and put them back together.
11. Organize a family/neighborhood science book or magazine club. Get together on a weekly/bi-weekly basis to discuss topics of interest.
*6th Grade Homework Help/Reinforcement 1. Set aside a “no-TV” time every evening for homework and enjoyment reading. During this time, discuss and review assignments and check progress of long-term projects with your child.
2. Post a family calendar and plan for long-term projects. Set special dates to visit the library together to prepare for these projects.
3. Review the RTMS homework hotline everyday with your student. (This may be accessed through telephone or Internet.) This is an efficient and accurate way to double-check the completion of assignments.
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