WCPSS
6th Grade Science
CATCH A WAVE
Standard
6.P.1.1
Compare the properties of
waves to the wavelike
property of energy in
earthquakes, light, and
sound.
Objective:
Students will understand
that earthquakes, light, and
sound are all types of waves
with unique properties and
there are differences and
similarities between
electromagnetic and
physical waves.
Essential Question(s)?
How is energy like a wave?
What are the similarities
and differences between
the waves that produce
earthquakes, light, and
sound?
Which is one way sound
waves are different from
light waves? (Sound waves
travel at a slower speed
than light waves.)
Digital Resources Wave Properties
Physics Classroom
www.physicsclassroom.com
Anatomy of Waves
Informational text with vocabulary definitions and
review questions at the end.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/waves/Lesson
-2/The-Anatomy-of-a-Wave
Bill Nye the Science Guy – Earthquake Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_fdv2azbc
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Demonstration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT4KAc0Ag1E
4 Characteristics of a Wave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Jcz6t9UQg
Mechanical Waves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997iDD6Fu0A
Elements of Physics: Waves; Sound and
Electromagnetism
20 minute video explaining properties of waves and
comparing sound and light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dl_-DsOEi4
Brainpop.com
www.brainpop.com
Member login required to access all science videos.
Use the following video titles to search Brainpop:
 Waves
 Refraction and Diffraction
WCPSS
6th Grade Science




Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Forms of Energy
Energy Sources
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
passages and question sets.
Waves and Water
Informational reading passage and question set.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/250815
6.P.1.3
Internet Resources
Sound Energy
Explain the relationship
among the rate of vibration,
Science for Kids – Sound Facts
the medium through which
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/sound.html
vibrations travel as sound,
and hearing.
Objective:
The students will
understand that.....
Sound travels in waves
Sound vibrations are the
result of disturbances that
cause vibrations.
Sound waves are affected
by the mediums through
which they travel
The structure of the human
ear and its connection to
our brain allows us to hear
certain wavelength
Essential Question(s)?
What is the nature of
Physics for Kids – Sound Wave Characteristics
http://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/sound_wa
ve_characteristics.php
Physics Classroom
www.physicsclassroom.com
Lesson plans for teachers on sound waves. Includes
five chapters with links topic.
1. The Nature of a Sound Wave
2. Sound Properties and Their Perception
3. Behavior of Sound Waves
4. Resonance and Standing Waves
5. Physics of Musical Instruments
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound
Physics Classroom
Interactive Physics site for students to learn about
waves and sound.
WCPSS
sound?
How do we hear sound?
Through which medium
does sound travel the
fastest?
a. air
b. steel
c. steam
d. water
6th Grade Science
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/PhysicsInteractives/Waves-and-Sound
Bill Nye the Science Guy – Sound Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ27q5QHU1U
Magic School Bus – Sound: The Haunted House!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgc4XtdqzK8
Scholastics Studyjams.com
www.studyjams.com
Each video has an essential question and vocabulary for
students to answer after watching.
Sound
Vocabulary: pitch, frequency, vibration, decibels, hertz
and echo.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/scien
ce/energy-light-sound/sound.htm
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
passages and question sets.
The Sounds of Baseball
Reading passage and question set on sound and how
humans hear.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/237764
Now Hear This!
Informational reading passage and question set on
what frequency of sound can humans hear and why.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/227431
Question Set
WCPSS
6th Grade Science
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/227432/22
7433
Brainpop.com
www.brainpop.com
Member login required to access all science videos.
Use the following video title to search
Brainpop/Science:
 Sound
6.P.1.2
Explain the relationship
among visible light, the
electromagnetic spectrum
and sight.
Light is a form of energy
emitted by the Sun as well
as light-producing objects
on Earth.
Light can be absorbed or
reflected by objects
depending upon the
properties of the object and
the type and angle of light
when it hits the object.
Some materials scatter light
and others allow light rays
to pass through, but refract
the light by changing its
speed.
Internet Resources
Light & The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Physics Classroom
www.physicsclassroom.com
Light and Color Lesson Plans and links for teachers.
1. How Do We Know Light is a Wave?
2. Color and Vision
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/light
Reflection and the Ray Model of Light
1. Reflection and its Importance
2. Image Formation in Plane Mirrors
3. Concave Mirrors
4. Convex Mirrors
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refln
The structure of the human
eye can detect many colors
in visible light that are
reflected by objects.
Physics Classroom
Interactive site for students to learn about light,
reflection and mirrors.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/PhysicsInteractives/Reflection-and-Mirrors
Objective:
Students will understand
that
The electromagnetic
spectrum contains many
different wavelengths.
Physics Classroom
Interactive site for students to learn about light,
refraction and lenses.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/PhysicsInteractives/Refraction-and-Lenses
WCPSS
Only certain wavelengths
are visible by humans.
Essential Question(s)?
How can you see different
colors?
What is the relationship
between light and sight?
Which is true about the
relationship between light
and the electromagnetic
spectrum? (Visible light is
only part of the
electromagnetic spectrum
that can be detected by the
human eye.)
6th Grade Science
Diagram of a Human Eye – National Eye Institute
https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/eyediagram
Kids Health, Women and Children Health Network
Eyes – How they work, and health issues.
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails
Kids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1730
Bill Nye the Science Guy – Light and Color Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtgBHsSzCPE
The Magic School Bus – Light: Make a Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_3RzWuuVhg
Scholastics Studyjams.org
www.studyjams.com
Each video has an essential question and vocabulary for
students to answer after watching.
Light
Vocabulary: prism, pigment, laser, spectrum,
wavelength, and color
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/scien
ce/energy-light-sound/light.htm
Light Absorption, Reflection, & Refraction
Vocabulary: reflection, refraction, absorption, and
color
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/scien
ce/energy-light-sound/light-absorb-reflect-refract.htm
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
passages and question sets to download and print.
WCPSS
6th Grade Science
Lights Out!
Informational reading passage and question set.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/255278
Brainpop.com
www.brianpop.com
Member login required to access all science videos.
Use the following video title to search Brainpop/
Science:
 Light
6.P.3.1
Illustrate the transfer of
heat energy from warmer
objects to cooler ones using
examples of conduction,
radiation, and convection.
Internet Resources
Thermal Energy Transfer
Objective:
Students will understand
that:
Conduction, radiation, and
convection are methods of
energy transfer.
Heat energy will travel in
the direction of warmer to
cooler temperatures.
PBS Media
Explaining conduction, convection, and radiation.
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/lsps07_int_he
attransfer/
Bill Nye the Science Guy – Heat Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBeJPpeeYJQ
Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Worksheet
http://www.irysec.vic.edu.au/userfiles/ehung/8HW_3t
ypes_of_heat_transfer.pdf
Essential Question(s)?
How does heat travel?
What is the most conductive element?
http://chemistry.about.com/od/elements/f/What-IsWhat are the effects of heat The-Most-Conductive-Element.htm
transfer?
What are the similarities
and differences between
convection, radiation, and
conduction?
If you placed a hot stone in
a beaker of cold water,
Physics for Kids
Conductors and Conductivity
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/elec_conduct.html
WCPSS
what would happen to
stone and water after 10
minutes of time elapsed?
(The stone would get cooler
and the water would get
warmer.)
6th Grade Science
Thermal Energy Transfer by Harcourt School
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_cl
ose/615/deploy/interface.html
Scholastics Studyjams.com
www.studyjams.com
Each video has an essential question and vocabulary for
students to answer after watching.
Heat
Vocabulary: thermal energy, conduction, convection,
radiation, and reflection.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/scien
ce/energy-light-sound/heat.htm
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
passages and question sets to download and print.
The Cooling from the Warmth of Nature
Informational reading passage and question set
explaining geothermal energy.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/250181
Brainpop.com
www.brainpop.com
Member login required to access all science videos.
Use the following video title to search Brainpop/
Science:
 Heat
6.P.3.2
Explain the effects of
electromagnetic waves on
various materials to include
absorption, scattering, and
Internet Resources
Light & Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic Spectrum
WCPSS
change in temperature.
Visible spectrum is the
portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum
that is visible to (can be
detected by) human eyes.
6th Grade Science
http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/waves2.h
tml
Geography for Kids
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0056electromagnetic-spectrum.php
Electromagnetic radiation in
this range of wavelengths is
Science Kids’
called visible light or simply
Absorption Experiment
light.
Objective:
Students will know that:
Electromagnetic waves can
have different wavelengths.
Some types of matter will
absorb electromagnetic
waves.
Essential Question(s)?
How do electromagnetic
waves interact with/affect
different types of matter?
When electromagnetic
waves strike a metal pipe,
what usually happens?
(The pipe absorbs some of
the waves.)
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/lightcolorh
eat.html
Geography for Kids’
Heat Absorption
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0066heat-absorption.php
Scattering of Light Rays
Informational site with great illustrations.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/%28Gh%29/guides/mtr
/opt/mch/sct.rxml
Why is the sky blue?
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/blue-sky/en/
Brainpop.com
Member login required to access all science videos.
Use the following video titles to search Brainpop/
Science:
 Electromagnetic Spectrum
 Color
 Rainbow
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
WCPSS
6th Grade Science
passages and question sets.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Informational reading passage and question set.
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/250179
6.P.3.3
Explain the suitability of
materials for use in
technological design based
on a response to heat (to
include conduction,
expansion, and contraction)
and electrical energy
(conductors and insulators).
Objective:
Students will understand
that:
Matter can expand and
contract based on exposure
to or removal from heat.
Materials are chosen based
on their response to heat
and electrical energy.
Materials can be classified
as conductors or insulators.
Essential Question(s)?
How are materials chosen
for different technological
design projects?
Which best describes why
metals are used for making
pots and pans that are used
for cooking? (Metals
conduct heat and have a
high melting point.)
Internet Resources
Solubility of Materials
Kids’ Corner on Science
Conductors and Insulators
http://www.fplsafetyworld.com/?ver=kkblue&utilid=fpl
forkids&id=16185
Physics Classroom
www.physicsclassroom.com
Conductors and Insulators
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/estatics/Lesso
n-1/Conductors-and-Insulators
Physics for Kids’
Thermal Expansion
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/thermo_expand.ht
ml
Heat Rises Experiment (Using a Balloon) – Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhTm4k_TLFI
Balloon Expansion Experiment
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiment
s/balloon-expansion-sick-science
Expansion and Contraction Article
http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b682/pdfs/Science%207/Heatand-Temperature-Unit3_T4_T6.pdf
WCPSS
6th Grade Science
What is Electrical Energy? Video
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-iselectric-energy-definition-examples.html
READWORKS.ORG
www.readsworks.org
Sign in and use the titles of the following reading
passages and question sets.
Solar Absorbers and the Future of Electricity
http://www.readworks.org/modal/nojs/pdf/254434