Sixth grade Teachers:
The Science task force is making suggestions for the restructuring our current science program. As we make
suggestions for restructuring our program, we need input from middle level teachers. As a sixth grade teacher, we
would like to know how you feel about addressing the science standards from the Next Generation Science standards in
your sixth grade classroom next year. These would be a replacement of the current science program and not in addition
to the current program. We would be suggesting that 6th grade teachers would receive the materials and training
needed to support these standards. You may email back to me, Bev Painter, any thoughts you have in addition to
whether you think these are suitable for your grade level and something you would be comfortable teaching. I teach
Astronomy at the high school, so I would be happy to address any content area questions you might have. The standards
are:
6th Grade
Standard ES-1, Astronomy
The Universe and Stars

This would include patterns of apparent motion of the sun, the moon and stars in
the sky. Earth is part of the solar system, which is part of the Milky Way Galaxy
which is one of many galaxies in the universe.
Earth and Solar System


The solar system consists of the sun and objects orbiting the sun due to the sun’s
gravitational pull.
Solar system formation
History of the Earth


Geological Time scale
Analysis of rock strata and fossil record
Standard ES-2, Earth Systems
Plate Tectonics
Role of Water




Water cycle
How water plays a role in climate and weather
Water movements from gravity, temperature and salinity
weathering and erosion
ETS-1, Engineering Design

Defining and determining engineering problems, developing possible solutions,
optimizing designs