Big Idea: Structure and Transformation of Matter (Physical Science) Grade 6
A basic understanding of matter is essential to the conceptual development of other big ideas in science. During the middle years, physical and chemical changes in matter are observed, and students begin to relate these changes to the smaller constituents of matter —namely, atoms and molecules. The use of models (and an understanding of their scales and limitations) is an effective means of learning about the structure of matter. Looking for patterns in properties is also critical to comparing and explaining differences in matter.
Standards from Combined Document
Understandings
Skills and Concepts Core Content for Assessment Knowledge Reasoning Skills Products
SC-6-STM-U-1
Students will understand that all matter is composed of parts that are too small to be seen without magnification.
SC-6-STM-U-4
Students will understand that not all substances that are mixed together will chemically combine. Because of this, physical properties can be used to separate mixtures
SC-6-STM-S-1
Students will use hand lenses and microscopes to investigate substances composed of particles too small to be seen without magnification
SC-6-STM-S-5
Students will explain how or why mixtures can be separated using physical properties, and investigate strategies for separating mixtures
SC-6-STM-S-6
Students will explore the feasibility of various procedures for separating mixtures, taking into account constraints such as availability and properties of materials, safety, economic and ethical issues
SC-M6 1.1.1
Students will explain how or why mixtures can be separated using physical properties.
A mixture of substances often can be separated into the original substances by using one or more of its characteristic physical properties.
DOK 2
SC-06-1.1.2
Students will identify and describe evidence of chemical and physical changes in matter.
In chemical reactions, the total mass is conserved. Substances are often classified into groups if they react in similar ways. The patterns that allow classification can be used to infer or understand real life applications for those substances.
DOK 2
Define and identify characteristics of mixtures
Identify factors that make separating some mixtures difficult such as availability, properties of materials, safety, economic and ethical issues
Define physical property
Identify examples of physical property
Describe the particulate nature of matter
Define conservation of mass
Explain why mass is conserved in chemical reactions
Explain how and why mixtures can be separated using physical properties
Infer, using the patterns of classification, real life applications for substances
Classify substances based on how they react
Identify indicators of physical & chemical change based on observation and evidence
Investigate strategies for separating mixtures based on physical properties
Use microscope to observe particles too small to be seen unaided
None in the standards

SC-6-STM-U-2
Students will understand that no matter how substances within a closed system interact with one another, or how they combine or break apart, the total weight of the system remains the same.
SC-6-STM-S-2
Students will use observations and evidence to describe and verify chemical changes in matter.
SC-6-STM-S-4
Students will distinguish between mixtures and compounds
SC-6-STM-U-3
Students will understand that chemical changes result in the formation of a substance that has different properties than the original substance.
SC-6-STM-S-2
Students will use observations and evidence to describe and verify chemical changes in matter.
SC-6-STM-S-3
Students will classify changes in substances as physical or chemical changes
SC-M6 1.1.1
Students will explain how or why mixtures can be separated using physical properties.
A mixture of substances often can be separated into the original substances by using one or more of its characteristic physical properties.
DOK 2
Define and identify compound
List evidence of chemical change
Describe the characteristics of a closed system
SC-06-1.1.2
Students will identify and describe evidence of chemical and physical changes in matter.
In chemical reactions, the total mass is conserved. Substances are often classified into groups if they react in similar ways. The patterns that allow classification can be used to infer or understand real life applications for those substances.
DOK 2
Form an operational definition of chemical change as formation of a substance that has properties different than the original substances
Identify physical change as change in a substance that does not produce a new substance and retains the same properties as the original substance
Distinguish between mixtures and compounds
Compare and contrast mixtures and compounds based on their physical properties
Identify indicators of chemical change based on observation and evidence
Classify materials by their similarities in reactions
Classify changes as either physical or chemical
Describe and verify physical and chemical changes in matter using observation and evidence
SC-6-STM-U-5
Students will understand that new ideas in science sometimes spring from unexpected findings, and they usually lead to new investigations.
SC-6-STM-S-7
Students will investigate how important scientific advances have resulted from unexpected observations or experimental results
SC-6-STM-S-8
Students will plan, present and support information from investigations using a variety of modes
Investigate how important scientific advances have resulted from unexpected results
Plan, present and support information from investigations