Huntsville City Schools - Instructional Guide
2015-2016
Course: Science Grade Level: 6th Grade
1st Nine Weeks
1st Nine Weeks
Standard
Scientific Process and
Application Skills
“I Can” Statements
I can make predictions and
estimations
Resources
Pearson: Science and
Technology Book- Ch. 1
Pacing
Recommendation
9 days
I can use 1 variable in an
experiment
I can explain how to design and
conduct an experiment so that it
uses sound scientific principles.
LTF: Penny Lab
Whirligig Lollapalooza
I can explain what scientific inquiry
is and how it involves posing
1
questions and developing
hypothesis.
Al COS 1
Identify global patterns of
atmospheric movement,
including El Nino, the Gulf
Stream, the jet stream,
Coriolis effect, and global
winds that influence local
weather.




predicting local weather
and weather patterns
Interpreting weather
data through
observations over time.
Using lines of latitude
and longitude to locate
areas of specific
weather events.
Describing the function
of instruments and
technology used to
investigate Earth’s
weather, including
barometers,
thermometers, wind
socks, weather vanes,
satellites, radar,
I can independently and
collaboratively record ideas and
questions about earth’s weather
and climate.
Pearson: Chapter 12
I can create a working definition of
the term “vortex”.
Pearson: Chapter 12
I can compare and contrast storms,
tornadoes, and hurricanes.
2 days
AMSTI Weather and
Climate Lesson 1
5 days
AMSTI Weather and
Climate: Lesson 2, Lesson
7
I can use the Fujita Scale to
determine the strength of a
tornado.
I can use the Saffir/Simpson Scale
to determine the strength of a
hurricane.
I can use lines of latitude and
longitude to locate formation of
hurricanes.
I can graph and analyze the heating
and cooling rates of soil and water.
Pearson: Chapter 12
6 days
AMSTI Weather and
Climate Lesson 3
I can describe the atmosphere and
it’s layers.
I can investigate the effect of
surface temperate on the
Pearson: Chapter 12
8 days
2
weather balloons, and
rain gauges
temperature of air above the
surface and its resulting movement.
AMSTI Weather and
Climate Lesson 4
I can identify the major air masses
that affect the weather in North
America and describe how they
move.
I can name and explain the main
types of fronts.
I can identify the tools used to
predict and forecast the weather.
I can determine which weather
instrument is used to calculate
precipitation, temperature, and air
pressure.
I can set up and investigation that
demonstrates what happens to two
air masses when they meet.
I can develop a working definition
for the term “convection current”.
Pearson: Chapter 12
AMSTI Weather and
Climate Lesson 5
7 days
LTF: Blowing in the Wind
I can explain how wind forms.
I can describe the rotation of the
Earth, which causes surface
currents and global winds to curve
as the move across Earth’s surface.
3
AL COS 3
Describe water cycle and
its effect on earth
Benchmark Review and
Assessment
I can explain the water cycle.
AMSTI Weather and
Climate: Lesson 6
2 days
LTF: Evaporation and
Condensation
2 days for
Review
1 day for
Assessment
4
2nd Nine Weeks
Standard
AL COS 2
Describe factors that
cause changes to Earth’s
surface over time.
 Comparing constructive
and destructive natural
processes and their
effects of land
formation.
Ex. Weather, Erosion,
mining and reclamation
AL COS 2
“I Can” Statements
I can use origin, texture, and
mineral composition to identify
the three types of rocks.
Resources
Pacing
Recommendation
Pearson: Ch. 2, 6.1, and 7
5 days
AMSTI Plate Tectonics:
Lesson 13
I can describe the 2 factors that
cause change in metamorphic rock.
LTF: Mineral Masters
I can illustrate the rock cycle.
LTF: Rock-N- Roll
I can determine the factors that
cause weathering.
LTF: We will Rock You
I can explain the process that
wear down and build up Earth’s
surfaces.
I can illustrate the layers of the
earth.
Pearson: Chapter 1.2
2 days
5
Describe factors that
cause changes to Earth’s
surface over time.
AL COS 4
Explain the plate tectonic
theory.
Ex. Continental drift and
seafloor spreading
I can determine the varying sizes,
composition, temperature, and
pressure of the layers of the
Earth.
I can explain the theory of plate
tectonics and continental drift.
I can illustrate the 3 types of
plate boundaries.
Pearson: Chapter 3.3
3 days
AMSTI Plate Tectonics:
Lesson 5, Lesson 6
LTF: Dynamic Earth
I can use a model to simulate the
movement of lithospheric plate as
they collide, separate, and slide
past each other.
I can explain convection currents
within the Earth’s mantle.
I can identify the movement in the
earth’s mantle as one cause of
plate movement, earthquakes, and
volcanoes.
AL COS 2
Describe factors that
cause changes to Earth’s
surface over time.
I can brainstorm about possible
cause and effects of earthquakes
and techniques for monitoring and
predicting them.
Pearson: Chapter 4
14 days
AMSTI Plate Tectonics:
Lesson 2, Lesson 3,
Lesson 4, Lesson 7
6
Ex. Earthquakes
COS 4
Explain the plate tectonic
theory
Determining energy
release through
seismographic data using
data from the Mercalli
scale and the Richter
scale.
Ex. Epicenter, focus,
seismic wave, and
subduction zone
AL COS 2

Describe factors that
cause changes to Earth’s
surface over time.
Ex. Volcanoes
AL COS 4
Explain the plate tectonic
theory
Ex. Lava, magma, eruption
I can use a spring to simulate pwaves, s-waves, and surface waves.
I can use the Richter Scale to
determine the magnitude of an
earthquake.
LTF: Mapping an
Epicenter
I can use the Mercalli scale to
determine the intensity of an
earthquake.
I can classify the effects of
volcanic eruptions as either
destructive or constructive.
I can devise a working definition
for the words “magma” and “lava”.
Pearson: Chapter 5
13 days
AMSTI Plate Tectonics:
Lesson 9, Lesson 11,
Lesson 12, Lesson 14
I can identify the cause and
effect of volcanic eruptions.
I can compare and contrast the 3
types of volcanoes.
I can draw and label the inside of
a volcano.
7
I can develop a working definition
for the word “pyroclastic
material”.
Benchmark Review and
Assessment
2 days for
Review
1 day for
Assessment
8
3rd Nine Weeks
Standard
AL COS 8
Earth’s rotation, Earth’s
axial tilt, and distance from
the equator cause
variations in the heating
and cooling of various
locations on Earth.
Mapping seasonal
changes in locations of
constellations in the
night sky
AL COS 8

Earth’s rotation, Earth’s
axial tilt, and distance from
the equator cause
variations in the heating
“I Can” Statements
I can describe the apparent
motions of the stars and planets
throughout the year.
I can identify objects and
constellations visible without a
telescope.
Resources
Pearson: 14.1 , 14.2, 14.6
Pacing
Recommendation
12 days
AMSTI Sun-EarthMoon: Lessons 1-2,
Lesson 3 page 48-51
I can demonstrate how earth
moves in space.
I can explain what causes the
cycle of seasons on earth.
I can create a working definition
for the terms “revolution” and
“rotate”.
Pearson: 14.4
7 days
AMSTI Sun- EarthMoon: Lesson 3
9
and cooling of various
locations on Earth.
AL COS 9
Identify the moon’s phases.
AL COS 9
Identify the Moon’s phases


Describing lunar and
solar eclipse.
Relating effects of the
moon’s positions on
oceanic tides.
I can explain what causes the
phases of the moon.
LTF: Reasons for the
Seasons
Pearson: Chapter 14.4
and 14.6
I can demonstrate the sun’s light
as Earth revolves around the Sun.
AMSTI Sun- EarthMoon: Lesson 4
I can track, model, and illustrate
the phases of the moon as seen
from Earth.
LTF: Moon Watch
I can analyze the moon to
determine if it is waxing or waning.
I can describe what causes a solar Pearson: 14.4
and lunar eclipse.
AMSTI Sun- EarthI can analyze the conditions under Moon: Lesson 6, Lesson 7
which the lunar and solar eclipses
occur.
7 days
10 days
I can describe the phases during
which lunar and solar eclipses
occur.
I can develop working definitions
for the terms “umbra” and
“penumbra”.
I can explain the tidal process
between the Earth and the moon.
10
AL COS 10
I can investigate the effects of
distance on the amount of energy
Describe components of the
received from a light source.
universe and their
relationship to each other
I can describe the features that
including stars, planets and form on or above the sun’s
their moons, solar systems, surface.
and galaxies.
I can state the regions of the
 Identify the impact of
electromagnetic spectrum.
space exploration on
I can explain how satellites use
innovations in
the electromagnetic spectrum to
technology. Ex. An MRI,
produce imagery.
microwave, satellite
imagery, and GPS.
Benchmark Review and
Assessment
Pearson: 16.1
6 days
AMSTI Sun- EarthMoon: Lesson 8, Lesson
9
2 days for
Review
1 day for
Assessment
11
4th Nine Weeks
Standard
AL COS 10
“I Can” Statements
Resources
Pacing
Recommendation
I can explain how stars are
classified.
Pearson: 16.3 and 16.4
3 days
I can summarize the life cycle of
stars.
Pearson: 16.3 and 16.4
5 days
Describe components of the
universe and their
I can explain the H-R diagram and
relationships to each other, how astronomers use it.
including stars, planets and
their moons, solar systems,
and galaxies.
Describing the life cycle
of stars. Ex- H-R
diagram
AL COS 10

Describe components of the
universe and their
I can describe what happens when
relationships to each other, a star runs out of fuel.
including stars, planets and
their moons, solar systems,
and galaxies
12
AL COS 10
Describe components of the
universe and their
relationships to each other,
including stars, planets and
their moons, solar systems,
and galaxies.
AL COS 11
Describe units used to
measure distance in space,
including astronomical units
and light years.
AL COS 10
Describe components of the
universe and their
relationships to each other,
including stars, planets and
their moons, solar systems,
and galaxies.
AL COS 2
Describe factors that
cause changes to Earth’s
surface over time.

I can define a star system.
Pearson: 16.5
2 days
I can describe the order and sizes
and the planets and their
distances from each other.
I can create a model of the solar
system from a set of scaled items.
I can observe the motion of a
marble when acted upon by a
curved trajectory demonstrating
gravitational pull from the sun.
I can identify the main
characteristics that distinguish
each of the inner and outer
planets.
I can explain how fossils form.
Pearson: 15.1 and 15.2
AMSTI Planetary
Systems: Lesson 2
LTF: Not so Lost in
Space
Pearson: 14.3, 15.4, 15.5
AMSTI Planetary
Systems: Lesson 3,
Lesson 7
5 days
Pearson: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
5 days
I can identify the different kinds
of fossils.
AMSTI Planetary
Systems: Lesson 5,
Lesson 8, Lesson 9
I can identify major types of
galaxies.
5 days
Distinguishing rock
strata by geologic
composition. Ex.
Predicting relative age
13
of strata by fossil
depth.
AL COS 3
Describe water and carbon
biogeochemical cycles and
their effects on Earth.
AL COS 5
Describe layers of the
oceanic hydrosphere,
including the pelagic zone,
benthic, abyssal, and
intertidal zones.
AL COS 6
Describe regions of the
oceanic lithosphere,
including the continental
shelf, continental slope, and
the abyssal plain.
Benchmark Review and
Assessment
I can illustrate the carbon cycle.
Pearson: 13.4
I can describe the features of the Pearson: Chapter 10
ocean floor.
1 day
4 days
I can classify the subdivisions of
the two major regions of the
ocean floor. (Benthic and Pelagic
environments)
2 days for
Review
1 day for
Assessment
AL COS 7
Describe Earth’s biome
 Identify geographic
factors that cause
I can locate and describe the
Pearson: Chapter 13
tropic, temperate, and polar zones.
7 days
14
diversity in flora and
I can describe the different
fauna including elevation, biomes found within the 3 zones.
location, and climate.
15