Curriculum Map 2010-2011 :: Chappaqua Central School District 6 Sixth Grade, maps / Science 6 / Grade 6 (Grade-Level Maps)

	Essential Questions	Content (what students should know)	Skills (what students should be able to do)
Science and the Scientific Method	What is science?	SCIENTIFIC THINKING • Observe/infer • Hypothesize/predict • Experiment • Interpret data • Graph TOOLS OF SCIENCE • Triplebeam balance • Graduated cylinders • Displacement cans MEASUREMENT • Linear • Volumetric • Mass • Density	SCIENTIFIC THINKING • Make/observe/infer • Formulate/hypothesize/predict • Conduct experiment/controlled studies • Interpret/graph TOOLS OF SCIENCE • Identify and appropriately use common laboratory equipment MEASUREMENT • Accurately take linear and volumetric measurements • Accurately measure mass and density using the metric system
Waves	How do waves affect your life?	TYPES AND MOTION OF WAVES • Transverse and longitudinal waves • Electromagnetic spectrum NATURE OF LIGHT AND SOUND THE HUMAN EYE • Parts of the eye LENSES AND MIRRORS • Reflection and refraction COLOR, PRISM, SPECTRUM • Colors of visible spectrum	TYPES AND MOTION OF WAVES • Compare transverse and longitudinal waves • Demonstrate where different wavelengths fall on the electromagnetic spectrum NATURE OF LIGHT AND SOUND • Explain the difference between translucent,transparent and opaque THE HUMAN EYE • Identify the parts of the eye LENSES AND MIRRORS • Demonstrate reflection and refraction using concave and convex mirrors and lenses COLOR, PRISM, SPECTRUM • Identify the colors of the visible spectrum • Explain how a prism works and why we see color
Astronomy	Where are we in the universe?	SOLAR SYSTEM • Planets of the solar system • Phenomena caused by regular motion of the planets • Gravity EARTH/SUN/MOON • Cause of the seasons • Day/night cycle • Phases of the moon • Earth/moon system STARS/GALAXIES • Sun as a star • Constellations	SOLAR SYSTEM • List the planets in order through the solar system • Give their identifying characteristics • Explain what causes... ... days/years ... eclipses, phases of the moon ... meteor showers, comets • Demonstrate the force of gravity • Explain how gravity keeps the planets moving around the sun EARTH/SUN/MOON • Identify the position of Earth and the sun during each season and transitions between seasons • Demonstrate or explain the cycle from night to day • Identify the phases of the moon and the relative location to Earth and the sun at each phase • Locate Earth and its moon in the solar system and compare the Earth/moon system to other planets • Recognize the sun as the central and largest object in the solar system STARS/GALAXIES • Recognize the sun as a star and explain why other stars of the same size do not appear • Identify certain stars in the sky that form certain shapes called constellations
Geology	What stories do rocks tell?	FEATURES OF THE EARTH • Atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere FORCES OF THE EARTH • Vulcanism • Seismology • Plate tectonics THE ROCK CYCLE • Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary • The process of the rock cycle • Rock classification	FEATURES OF THE EARTH • Identify and describe the layers of the earth as the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere FORCES OF THE EARTH • Explain how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are a result of movements inside the earth • Identify the different types of volcanoes and explain how eruptions can affect the weather and atmosphere • Identify the different types of seismic waves and explain why they occur • Identify the different types of boundaries formed at the edge of tectonic plates • Identify and explain how different land forms occur as a result of plate tectonics • Identify the causes of plate tectonics THE ROCK CYCLE • Compare igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock • Explain the process of the rock cycle • Classify rocks into one of the three categories using characteristics such as streak, luster and hardness
Electricity	What is electricity? How is electricity produced? What forms of energy can electricity can be changed into?	THE NATURE OF ELECTRICITY • Definition CIRCUITS • Series • Parallel ELECTROMAGNETISM • Sources	ELECTRICITY • Explain how a constant flow of electrons creates electricity CIRCUITS • Demonstrate how a break in the flow of electrons stops electricity from being created ELECTROMAGNETISM • Demonstrate how electricity is produced using a magnet and coil
Ecology	How do plants and animals depend on each other?	ECOLOGY • Plant and animal interrelationships	ECOLOGY • Compare the way a variety of living things carry out basic life functions • Analyze how organisms maintain dynamic equilibrium • Identify internal and external structures that make an organism suitable for an environment • Explain how the body plan of an organism and its environment determine its life process • Demonstrate how the health of an ecosystem can depend on its biodiversity