6th Grade Earth Unit
Big Idea:
 How and why is Earth constantly changing?
Unifying Unit Concepts:
 Scientists have discovered evidence/patterns of specific Systems/Cycles that interact on Earth to support life.
 Scientists use tools of Models/Maps/diagrams to explain and understand the evidence.
 Water is the most important resource to supporting life on Earth.
 Water shapes the landscape of our world.
Sub Topic 1:
Five major systems exist on Earth and interact to support life.
Big Idea: How do Earth’s major systems interact?
 Lithosphere (weathering and erosion)
 Hydrosphere
 Crynosphere (weathering and erosion)
 Atmosphere
 Biosphere (living things)
Sub Topic 2:
The Earth is know as the water planet, it has 1 moon and an energy source called the sun.
Big Idea: What are the predictable patterns caused by Earth’s movement in the Solar System?
 Earth revolves in space around our energy source, the Sun.
 3rd planet from the Sun
 Causes natural phenomena of Eclipses and seasons
 Distance from the Sun allows it to be the only planet with water
 Amount of water on Earth and where did we get water?
Sub Topic 3:
The interaction of the Earth and Moon cause changes to our oceans (water)
Big Idea: How and why are the oceans constantly changing?
 Gravity
 Tides
 Moon Phases
Sub Topic 4:
There are 4 cycles that interact that need to remain in balance to support life.
Big Idea: How do the properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface and affect its systems?
 Carbon Cycle
 Nitrogen Cycle
 Water Cycle
 Rock Cycle
Sub Topic 5:
Water is Earth’s most unique feature supporting life.
Big Idea: How is water essential for the Earth as we know it?
 Universal solvent (dissolves most things)
 Dissolves sediments and shapes landscapes
 Supports chemical reactions (on cellular level)
 Creates diversity of life to exist in different places, spreads out life (living things)
Sub Topic 6:
Weathering and erosion (by water and ice) fuel the rock cycle causing change to our Earth surface over time.
Bit Idea: How do the properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface and affect its systems?
Big Idea: How do people construct and date events in Earth’s planetary history?
 Rock cycle
 Rock Types/formation/location
 Reveals evidence of Earth’s past (fossil)
 Rock record
Sub Topic 7:
Scientist use tools to study how water cause change to our Earth’s surface.
Big Idea: The properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface. How to scientists model this?
 Build models and create scientific diagrams
 Topographic maps (water drainage)
 Maps need to be changed over time because water weathers and erodes surface of Earth.