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    SCIENCE 6 

     
    Course Description

    The Science curriculum in all California public schools will be transitioning over the next year from the California State Standards for Science to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Traditionally, 6th grade was an Earth Science focus and the new model is an integrated approach with an emphasis on Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (www.nextgenscience.org). Our main units of study include Models and Designs, Weather and Water/Climate, Energy, and Diversity of Life. A common thread throughout the curriculum is monitoring and minimizing the human impact on the environment. The California State Framework for Science, as well as the curriculum materials to support the framework, are in the process of being developed. During this transition, we’ll use a variety of pilot material, newly published materials and established units from previous years, including: the Prentice-Hall textbook, kit-based units from Full Option Science System (FOSS), and pilot material from Lawrence Hall of Science.

    • Models and Designs: Science and engineering practices are used to explore the engineering design process through a variety of hands-on investigations.
    • Currents in the Ocean and Atmosphere: Students investigate how ocean currents form and what the relationship between atmosphere and ocean and their effects on regional and global climate patterns.
    • Diversity of Life: Students consider the diverse forms of life (plant and animal) through a variety of investigations to better understand the complex nature of living things.
    • Weather and Water/Climate: Students investigate the physical properties affecting weather and climate, understanding how instruments are used to collect data in order to predict weather in the Troposphere.
    • Thermal Energy: Students will investigate thermal energy transfer combined with hands-on investigation and how mass and the type of matter can affect the kinetic energy of particles.
     

    Course Outcomes
     
    The outcome goals for all students in this 6th grade science program include:

    • To learn and apply science and engineering practices during investigations
    • To communicate results and argue a concept with evidence collected during investigations
    • To develop and enhance Science note-booking skills
    • To learn core science concepts as identified in the Next Generation Science Standards for 6th grade
    • To recognize cross-cutting concepts as they apply to Science concepts taught in 6th grade.