Sixth Grade Science/
Health - ELL
SDE Course Code: 0607
MNPS Course Code: SCI0607Y
Course Description:
In a sheltered environment, the sixth grade science curriculum centers on the District’s science standards. The concepts in the sixth grade are the Earth, Life and Physical sciences, with a special emphasis on investigations and experimentation in each area, as well as appropriate observance of safety guidelines. Earth Science topics include the basic components of the Universe, relative sizes, positions, and distances of each, as well as solar and lunar eclipses. Life science topics include the ways in which living things interact with one another and with the nonliving parts of their environments; adaptations that enable organisms to live in a particular environment, and how living things have changed over time, as evidenced by fossils. Physical Science topics include an understanding of the properties of energy in heat, light, electricity, magnetism and nuclear energy. Hands-On-Science curriculum units, “Magnets & Motors”, Experiments with Plants”, “Measuring Time” and “Technology of Paper” are to be used to support the 6th grade science standards. Appropriate use of metric measuring devices and mathematical manipulations are also a major curriculum component.
Course of Study:
· Life Science
o Understand the nature of symbiotic relationships.
o Examine the competitive relationships among organisms within an ecosystem.
o Explain how plants and animals use and produce food to sustain life.
o Recognize relationships within food chains.
o Understand how organisms are adapted for surviving in certain environments.
o Investigate the fossil evidence found in various sedimentary rock layers.
o Recognize various forms of evidence which indicate that life forms have changed over time.
o Reason how environmental changes are associated with the extinction of a species.
· Earth and Space Science
o Recognize the basic components of the universe.
o Investigate the relative distances of objects in space.
o Explore the positional relationships among the earth, moon, and sun.
o Understand that gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs movement in the solar system.
o Explore the role of technology and careers associated with the study of space.
· Physical Science
o Identify and describe characteristics of waves.
o Understand the difference between heat and temperature.
o Understand the basic principles of electricity.
o Understand that one form of energy can be transformed into another form of energy.
o Understand the nature of light, including the electromagnetic spectrum.
Standards:
MNPS standards for Sixth-grade science can be accessed at:
http://www.mnps.org/PageFactory.aspx?PageID=3353
State Sixth-grade science standards can be found at: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/ci/cistandards2001/sci/ciscig68stand.htm
Textbook:
Tennessee Holt Science & Technology; Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003 (grade 6)
Required Science Kits:
o Experiments With Plants, Science and Technology for Children, Carolina Biological Supply.
o Magnets and Motors, Science and Technology for Children, Carolina Biological Supply.
o Measuring Time, Science and Technology for Children, Carolina Biological Supply.
o Technology of Paper, Science and Technology for Children, Carolina Biological Supply.
Recommended/Required Resources:
o Laboratory facility with access to a source of water, and electricity for lab activities; recommended.
o Various types of lab equipment and apparatus for inquiry investigations; recommended.
o Access to computers that are web-accessible; recommended.