School District of the Chathams
Curriculum Profile
Program of Study: Science
Course Title: Earth Science
Grade Level: 6th grade
Textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer, Earth Science
I. Course Description: As beginners in the laboratory setting, students will first
acquire an understanding of basic lab safety rules, tools, and metric measurement
that they will utilize throughout the year. These skills will be used to make
inferences, design labs, develop inquiry skills and explore the Earth. The goal of
the 6th grade Earth Science curriculum is to have the students better understand
the world around them by studying the Earth from the interior to the exterior,
including outer space. The 6th grade Earth Science students will model the
properties of Earth’s interior and investigate how they impact the Earth’s crust
through the study of rocks and minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate
tectonics. Inquiries will be made through the study of the Earth’s atmosphere and
space and the impact that it has on life as well as the Earth’s systems.
II.
Course Objectives and Alignment with NJCCCS
Unit 1: Lab Safety, Scientific Method, Branches of Science, and Measurement
5.1.8A 1,2,3,4
5.2.8B, 5.3.8A 1, 5.3.8B 1, 5.3.8 D 1, 5.8.1C
Unit 2: Movement of the Earth’s Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes
5.1.8 B. 1. , 5.2.8 A. 1., 5.2.8 B. 2. , 5.4.6 A. 1. , 5.7.6 B. 1, 2, 5.7.8 B. 3., 5.8.8 C. 1.,
5.8.8 D. 2.
Unit 3: January - Mid February
Rocks and Minerals
5.1.8 B 1, 5.8.8C 1,2
Unit 4: Mid February to Mid April
Weather and Atmosphere
5.1.8B 1, 5.8.8B 1, 5.8.6 B.
Unit 5: Mid April – Mid June
Earth, Moon, Sun System
5.9.8 A. , 5.9.8 B. , 5.9.8 C.
III.
Topical Outline
Unit 1: September – Mid October
Lab Safety, Scientific Method, Branches of Science, and Measurement
1. How is science part of our everyday lives?
2. How do scientists examine the structure and properties of matter?
3. How is mathematics used to model objects, events and relationships?
Unit 2: Mid October – Mid December
Movement of the Earth’s Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes
1. How do the internal processes of the Earth affect the exterior of the
Earth?
2. How do geological events occurring today provide insight into Earth’s
past?
4.How do science and technology influence each other?
Unit 3: January - Mid February
Rocks and Minerals
1. Describe how we study the earth.
2. How do earth cycles affect the earth and its systems?
3. How do interior processes affect what happens on the exterior of the
earth?
4. How do geologic events occurring today provide insight to the Earth's
past?
Unit4: Mid February to Mid April
Weather and Atmosphere
1.How do earth cycles affect the earth and its systems?
2.How do changes in one of an earth system affect other parts of an
Earth system?
Unit 5: Mid April – Mid June
Earth, Moon, Sun System
1. Describe the predictable observable patterns occur as a result of
the interaction of the Earth, Moon and Sun.
2. How are planets and other objects in the solar system similar and
different to the Earth?
3. What characteristic does our sun share with other stars?
IV.
Skills
- Demonstrate appropriate lab safety procedures
- Designing and executing labs
- Utilizing the scientific method to solve problems and make reasonable
conclusions based on data discovered
- Develop research strategies for using resources and understanding
where to find appropriate materials
- Presenting and analyzing data using graphs, charts, and tables
- Recognition of what tools to use in specific situations and how to use
them appropriately
V.
Methods of Instruction and Sample Activities
- Inquiry based labs
- Projects
- Videos
-
Hands on activities
Creation of models
Data collection and analysis
Use of textbook and reference materials
Lectures
Kinesthetic activities to model concept
Incorporation of literature and music to reinforce concepts
VI.
Instructional Materials
Prentice Hall: Exploring Earth Science
VII.
Student Outcomes and Methods of Assessment
Homework, Large and small group discussions, Laboratory Investigations,
Projects, Quizzes, Chapter Tests
Date of Last Review or Revision: 2008-2009
Members of Review / Revision Committee:
6th grade science department: Simone Gaunt, Lauren Potts, Grace Mueller