Grade 6
Science Curriculum Guidebook
Students in 6th grade science are expected to primarily learn Earth and Space
Sciences with a very large focus on Earth Sciences. This grade level is the first with
Common Core Standards integrated into the science curricula.
By the end of 6th grade, students should have learned: (Science Fair 101)
- How to construct an experiment and present the data graphically.
- How to produce a report with research (properly cited) to present their data.
- How to present a hypothesis, analyze the data, and conclude while reflecting to
the hypothesis. The students should know the value of repeating and validating
the experiment, know the differences between dependent and independent
variables, and review of scientific data by self and peers.
- How to mathematically manipulate and present data from a scientific
experiment/introduction to metric system for measurements.
- Identification of the characteristics and properties of different substances,
chemical and physical properties of matter.
- General lab equipment identification
- General lab safety
Grade Specific Content:
- General elements and compounds as they relate to life and Earth Sciences.
- Energy/waves on Earth and Space/Gravity
- Organisms interaction and adaptation with the environment
- Weather and geologic events/impact on life
- Fossils/fossil records/fossil fuels and energy production
- Universe & solar system
- Earth structure/history/rock identification
- Weather and Climate
- Earth changes, relation to the Earth and to New Mexico
- Scientific knowledge and decisions, communications technologies and
technologies as a whole.
Students should have learned in 5th grade:
- How to plot out scientific investigations, and follow the scientific inquiry method.
- How to use calculators, computers, microscopes and other technologies to obtain
and analyze data from experiments.
- Presenting and communicating data in different ways, including graphs, tables &
diagrams using appropriate units and math skills.
- Use reproducible elements including single variables, controls, and appropriate
sample sizes to produce valid scientific predictions and results.
- Understand that different kinds of investigations are used to answer different
kinds of questions and are subject to peer and public review.
- Describe properties of the three states of matter, how the phases of matter
change, the concept of atoms and molecules, how they move and the relationship
to temperature.
- General awareness of the periodic table.
- Heat/cool transfer, movement, production during energy conversion, different
forms of energy and energy storage/conversion methods.
- How objects are put into motion, including velocity and acceleration.
- Forces in nature, inertia, and the identification and use of simple machines.
-
-
Components of habitats and ecosystems, food webs, environmental change
impact, human impact on the environment.
Plant and animal life cycles, similarities and differences.
Inheritance, heredity, learned traits or environmental changes.
Existence of cells and that every living thing is composed of cells, cooperation
and differences amongst cells, relationships among cells, tissues, organs, organ
systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems.
Size and separation between solar systems, universes, etc.
Review of the space program.
Air and water relation to Earth processes, air presence, what air is, what it can do,
presence of water and how it relates to Earth, and causes of the seasons.
Contributions of science to local and current issues. How technologies and
science have contributed to individuals and society.
The first 2 weeks of school should be a gauge of what knowledge your students
have/retained and a general coverage of the basics. If the students do not possess this
knowledge, a fast refresher course will have to be utilized.
Recommended:
- Quiz based on 5th grade standards. (site provides questions that can be used to
produce test, free registration allows for answer key)
- Coverage of general lab equipment that you will use throughout the year to teach
your content with test.
- Scientific Method/Terms
- Lab Safety/Quiz
- Classroom rules/expectations/schedule
- 1st Lab: Measurement/Observation/Quantitative/Qualitative Data Collection
- 1st Lab Report with full disclosure of what is expected.
- Establish Lab/Reading/Assignment Schedule
* Lab activities should range between 3 and 5 days. There should be a prelab where students read and research on the lab activity, one class period to do the
lab, and the post lab, where the data is reviewed, before requesting the lab report. At
the same time, if you haven’t done the lab before, allow yourself one to two days
preparation to do a ‘run-through’ of the lab so that you can anticipate the result of the
lab. NEVER learn how to do a lab in front of students, regardless of lab simplicity.
Scientific Experimentation/Inquiry Method/Science Fair
Science Fair is required at Taos Middle School, but the majority of the Standards
and Benchmarks describe activities covered by Science Fair. The progression
timeline is integrated with the pacing guide, so therefore, many of the Science Fair
activities can be started at the third week. At the same time, to get kids interested
with the science lab process, the students can be introduced to a simple lab, such as
measuring different objects, also introducing them to the metric system.
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks: (these particular benchmarks will be
repeated throughout the year every time a lab and lab report is produced, as will
the Common Core Standards)
Strand I: Scientific Thinking and Practice
Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of
observing, experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critically.
Benchmark I: Use scientific methods to develop questions, design and conduct experiments using
appropriate technologies, analyze and evaluate results, make predictions, and communicate findings.
1. Construct appropriate graphs from data and develop qualitative and quantitative statements about the
relationships between variables being investigated.
2. Examine the reasonableness of data supporting a proposed scientific explanation.
3. Justify predictions and conclusions based on data.
Benchmark II: Understand the processes of scientific investigation and how scientific inquiry results in
scientific knowledge.
1. Understand that scientific knowledge is continually reviewed, critiqued, and revised as new data become
available.
2. Understand that scientific investigations use common processes that include the collection of relevant
data and observations, accurate measurements, the identification and control of variables, and logical
reasoning to formulate hypotheses and explanations.
3. Understand that not all investigations result in defensible scientific explanations.
Benchmark III: Use mathematical ideas, tools, and techniques to understand scientific knowledge.
1. Evaluate the usefulness and relevance of data to an investigation.
2. Use probabilities, patterns, and relationships to explain data and observations.
Strand III: Science and Society, Standard I: Understand how scientific discoveries, inventions, practices,
and knowledge influence, and are influenced by, individuals and societies. Benchmark I: Explain how
scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies.
1. Examine the role of scientific knowledge in decisions (e.g., space exploration, what to eat, preventive
medicine and medical treatment).
2. Describe the technologies responsible for revolutionizing information processing and communications
(e.g.,computers, cellular phones, Internet).
*Most of this should have been covered in activities within the first few weeks, but if major
‘catch-up’ was required, then these weeks can be used to catch up.
Recommended Activities: Observation Lab/Measurement Lab, Measurement
Conversions, Early Science Fair Brainstorming Practices
Recommended Reading: Chapters 1: Nature of Science & 2: Measurement + Reviews
Recommended Testing: http://sciencespot.net/Media/metric_metconv.pdf
Science Fair activities can run throughout as time permits up until the time before
the local fair via the timeline. These activities can run concurrently.
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks:
Strand II: Content of Science
Standard I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of
energy, and the interactions between matter and energy.
Benchmark I: Know the forms and properties of matter and how matter interacts.
1. Understand that substances have characteristic properties and identify the properties of various
substances (e.g., density, boiling point, solubility, chemical reactivity).
2. Use properties to identify substances (e.g., for minerals: the hardness, streak, color, reactivity to acid,
cleavage, fracture).
3. Know that there are about 100 known elements that combine to produce compounds in living
organisms and nonliving substances.
4. Know the differences between chemical and physical properties and how these properties can
influence the interactions of matter.
Recommended Activity: Rock Identification Lab/ Rock Activities
Recommended Reading: Chapter 3: Matter and its Changes
Recommended Testing: Rock Identification, Physical vs. Chemical Changes
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks:
Strand II, Standard I, Benchmark I, PS: 1, 2, 3 & 4
Recommended Activity: Adopt an Element Periodic Table Activities
Recommended Reading: Chapter 4: Atoms, Elements, and their Periodic Table
Recommended Testing: Refer to TestMaker
Review
Recommended Testing: Refer to TestMaker to produce Test Review of the
previous 9 weeks.
NM Science Standards and
Benchmarks:
Strand II: Content of Science
Standard I (Physical Science): Understand
the structure and properties of matter, the
characteristics of energy, and the interactions
between matter and energy.
Benchmark III: Describe and explain forces
that produce motion in objects.
Recommended Activity Link:
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classph
ys.html#Anchor9
Recommended Reading: Chapter 5:
Motion, Forces and Simple
Machines
Recommended Testing: See
TestMaker/Book
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks:
Strand II, Standard I
Benchmark II: Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
1. Identify various types of energy (e.g., heat, light, mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear).
2. Understand that heat energy can be transferred through conduction, radiation and convection.
3. Know that there are many forms of energy transfer but that the total amount of energy is conserved (i.e.,
that energy is neither created nor destroyed).
4. Understand that some energy travels as waves (e.g., seismic, light, sound), including:
• the sun as source of energy for many processes on Earth
• different wavelengths of sunlight (e.g., visible, ultraviolet, infrared)
• vibrations of matter (e.g., sound, earthquakes)
• different speeds through different materials.
Recommended Activity Link:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Science_Energy_middle/
Recommended Reading: Chapter 6: Energy
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/160295/mechanicalenergy, http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/162104/types-of-energy,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/386170/forms-of-energy
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard I, Benchmark II
4. Understand that some energy travels as waves (e.g., seismic, light, sound), including:
• the sun as source of energy for many processes on Earth
• different wavelengths of sunlight (e.g., visible, ultraviolet, infrared)
• vibrations of matter (e.g., sound, earthquakes)
• different speeds through different materials.
Recommended Activity: Slinky, Water Wave Demonstration, Spectroscopes
Recommended Reading: Chapter 8: Waves
Recommended Testing: TestMaker or Book
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system,
the universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
Benchmark II: Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and
forces shape Earth’s systems.
3. Know that sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks contain evidence of the materials,
temperatures, and forces that created them.
7. Know that landforms are created and change through a combination of constructive and destructive
forces, including:
• weathering of rock and soil, transportation, deposition of sediment, and tectonic activity
• similarities and differences between current and past processes on Earth’s surface (e.g., erosion, plate
tectonics, changes in atmospheric composition)
• impact of volcanoes and faults on New Mexico geology.
8. Understand the history of Earth and how information about it comes from layers of sedimentary
rock, including:
• sediments and fossils as a record of a very slowly changing world
• evidence of asteroid impact, volcanic and glacial activity.
Recommended Activity: Erosion Activity, Mineral Identification, Volcano
Recommended Reading: Chapter 9: Rocks and Minerals
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/263902/volcanoes,
TestMaker/Book
Recommended Activity: Review all previously covered material, issuing of
Semester Exam. *Science Fair can be tested via requirement of the rough draft of
the research/experimental paper.
Recommended Reading: Start Chapter 10: Forces Shaping Earth
Recommended Testing: Semester Exam covering previous 18 weeks.
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III, Benchmark II
Structure of Earth
1. Know that Earth is composed of layers that include a crust, mantle, and core.
2. Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move very slowly, in response to movements in the mantle.
3. Know that sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks contain evidence of the materials,
temperatures, and forces that created them.
Changes to Earth
7. Know that landforms are created and change through a combination of constructive and destructive
forces, including:
• weathering of rock and soil, transportation, deposition of sediment, and tectonic activity
• similarities and differences between current and past processes on Earth’s surface (e.g., erosion, plate
tectonics, changes in atmospheric composition)
• impact of volcanoes and faults on New Mexico geology.
8. Understand the history of Earth and how information about it comes from layers of sedimentary rock,
including:
• sediments and fossils as a record of a very slowly changing world
• evidence of asteroid impact, volcanic and glacial activity.
Recommended Activity Links:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/kidsLearningLinks.php
Recommended Reading: Chapter 10: Forces Shaping Earth
Recommended Testing: TestMaker/Book
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III, Benchmark II
Weather and Climate
4. Describe the composition (i.e., nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor) and strata of Earth’s atmosphere, and
differences between the atmosphere of Earth and those of other planets.
5. Understand factors that create and influence weather and climate, including:
• heat, air movement, pressure, humidity, oceans
• how clouds form by condensation of water vapor
• how weather patterns are related to atmospheric pressure
• global patterns of atmospheric movement (e.g., El Niño)
• factors that can impact Earth’s climate (e.g., volcanic eruptions, impacts of asteroids, glaciers).
6. Understand how to use weather maps and data (e.g., barometric pressure, wind speeds, humidity) to
predict weather.
7. Know that landforms are created and change through a combination of constructive and destructive
forces, including:
• weathering of rock and soil, transportation, deposition of sediment, and tectonic activity
• similarities and differences between current and past processes on Earth’s surface (e.g., erosion, plate
tectonics, changes in atmospheric composition)
• impact of volcanoes and faults on New Mexico geology.
Recommended Activity Link: http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classearth.html#AnchorWeather-49575
Recommended Reading: Chapter 11: Weathering and Erosion
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/309506/weather-fronts
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III, Benchmark II. PS: 4, 5, 6
Recommended Activity: Cloud
Identification, Density in Liquids
Recommended Reading: Chapter 12:
The Atmosphere in Motion
Recommended Testing:
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/3302
39/air
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III, Benchmark II. PS: 5
Recommended Activity Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=953&v=kwAOfOjIpns, Salinity impact on
buoyancy demonstration/lab
Recommended Reading: Chapter 13: Oceans
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/386159/water-cycle
Review of previous 9 weeks readings and activities in preparation for 9 weeks test.
Recommended Reading: Start Chapter 14: Exploring Space
Recommended Testing: 9 weeks exam of previous 9 weeks.
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III
Benchmark I: Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the
observed behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
Universe
1. Describe the objects in the universe, including:
• billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars
• different sizes, temperatures, and colors of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
Recommended Activity Link: http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classastro.html, Oreo
Cookie Moon Phases, NASA
Recommended Reading: Chapter 14: Exploring Space
Recommended Testing: TestMaker or Book,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276373/jupiter,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/254163/the-sun,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276376/neptune,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276374/saturn,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276375/uranus.
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard III
Benchmark I: Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed
behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
Solar System
2. Locate the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy.
3. Identify the components of the solar system, and describe their defining characteristics and motions in
space, including:
• sun as a medium sized star
• sun’s composition (i.e., hydrogen, helium) and energy production
• nine planets, their moons, asteroids.
4. Know that the regular and predictable motions of the Earth-moon-sun system explain phenomena on
Earth, including:
• Earth’s motion in relation to a year, a day, the seasons, the phases of the moon, eclipses, tides, shadows
• moon’s orbit around Earth once in 28 days in relation to the phases of the moon.
Recommended Activity Link: Solar System Modelling
Recommended Reading: Chapter 15: The Solar System and Beyond
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276373/jupiter
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/254163/the-sun
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276376/neptune
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276374/saturn
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/276375/uranus - TestMaker/Book
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II
Standard II (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the
interdependence of living things and their environments.
Benchmark II: Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how species evolve.
1. Understand that the fossil record provides data for how living organisms have evolved.
2. Describe how species have responded to changing environmental conditions over time (e.g., extinction,
adaptation).
Benchmark III: Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.
1. Explain how fossil fuels were formed from animal and plant cells.
2. Describe the differences between substances that were produced by living organisms (e.g., fossil fuels)
and substances that result from nonliving processes (e.g., igneous rocks).
Recommended Activity Link: Fossil Exploration, Terrarium, Ecosystem in a Bottle,
Water Cycle
Recommended Reading: Chapter 21: Ecology
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/173752/exploringbiomes-the-rainforest
NM Science Standards and Benchmarks
Strand II, Standard II, Benchmark II, PS 2, Benchmark III, PS 1, 2
Benchmark I: Explain the diverse structures and functions of living things and the complex relationships
between living things and their environments.
1. Understand how organisms interact with their physical environments to meet their needs (i.e., food,
water, air) and how the water cycle is essential to most living systems.
2. Describe how weather and geologic events (e.g., volcanoes, earthquakes) affect the function of living
systems.
3. Describe how organisms have adapted to various environmental conditions.
Recommended Activity: Terrarium, Ecosystem in a Bottle, Water Cycle
Recommended Reading: Chapter 22: Earth’s Resources
Recommended Testing: http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/222495/ecosystems,
http://www.helpteaching.com/tests/386159/water-cycle
Review previous lessons from beginning of school year until present for final end
of the year exam to determine the total learning spectrum.
* Chapters 21 and 22 are precursors to 7th grade Science. Chapters 16-20 are all
precursors to 7th grade science, and are not included in the NM Standards and
Benchmarks for 6th grade. Students can work on this for extra credit.
Recommended Activity Link
Recommended Reading: Chapters 16-20 as extra credit.
Recommended Testing: Comprehensive Semester/Final Exam
There are numerous resources that can be utilized within this lesson plan. While
grading is a tedious job, it is vital towards pacing the students progress within the
plan, and with assuring that the students are progressing in the reading, writing and
skills areas of Science. The majority of these resources come with answer keys or
suggestions on how to streamline the grading process.
Resource
Link
Science Buddies (not for science fair)
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/teacher_resources.shtml#scienceactivities
Education.org (not for science fair)
http://www.education.com/worksheets/middleschool/earth-science/
Middle School Science Activities and Lesson Plans
http://middleschoolscience.com/
The Science Spot
http://www.sciencespot.net/Pages/classroom.html
Flinn Middle School Lab Safety (English Contract)
http://www.flinnsci.com/media/396480/safety_contract
_ms.pdf
Flinn Middle School Lab Safety (Spanish Contract and
Quiz)
http://www.flinnsci.com/media/396486/safety_contract
_ms_sp.pdf
Help Teaching Worksheets and Tests (requires free signin)
http://www.helpteaching.com/free-scienceworksheets.htm
Science Spot
http://sciencespot.net/