Grade: 6

Content Area: Science

Course Name: Minnesota Standards Based Science

First Semester

Second Semester

Introduction to Science (2 - 3 days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

These standards are measured throughout the course.

6.1.3.4.1 - I can determine and use safe procedures, tools, measurements, graphs, and math in a physical science context.

6.1.3.4.2 - I can demonstrate the conversion of units in the SI system and estimate the magnitude of common objects using metric units.

Unit 1:  Matter  (15 - 18  days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.2.1.1.1 - I can explain density, dissolving,  compression, diffusion, and thermal expansion using the particle model of matter.

6.2.1.2.1 - I can identify evidence of physical changes, including changing phase or shape, and dissolving in other materials.

6.2.1.2.2 - I can describe how mass is conserved during a physical change in a closed system.

6.2.1.2.3 - I can use the relationship between heat and the motion and arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases to explain melting, freezing, condensation and evaporation.

6.1.3.1.2 - I can distinguish between open and closed systems.

6.2.2.2.4 - I can distinguish between mass and weight.

Unit 2: Motion  (9 - 14  days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.2.2.1.1 - I can measure and calculate the speed of an object that is traveling in a straight line.

6.2.2.1.2 - I can graph an object’s position as a function of time and its speed as a function of time, and explain how graphs describe the object’s motion.

Unit 3: Force (14 - 23  days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.2.2.2.1 - I can recognize when the forces acting on an object are balanced, that object remains at rest or continues to move at a constant speed in a straight line, and that unbalanced forces cause a change in the speed or direction of the motion of an object.

6.2.2.2.2 - I can identify the forces acting on an object and describe how the sum of the forces affects the motion of the object.

6.2.2.2.3 - I can recognize that some forces between objects act when the objects are in direct contact and others, such as magnetic, electrical and gravitational forces can act from a distance.

6.2.2.2.4 - I can distinguish between mass and weight.

Unit 4: Energy (8 - 10 days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.2.3.2.1 - I can differentiate between kinetic and potential energy and analyze situations where kinetic is converted to potential energy and vice versa.

6.2.3.2.2 - I can trace the change of energy forms, including thermal, electrical, chemical, mechanical or others as energy is used in devices.

6.2.3.2.3 - I can describe how energy is transferred in conduction, convection, and radiation.

Catapult Activity:

6.1.2.2.1 - I can apply and document an engineering design process that includes identifying criteria and constraints, making representations, testing, and evaluation, and refining the design as needed to construct a product or system that solves a problem.

6.1.3.1.1 - I can describe a system in terms of its subsystems and parts, as well as inputs, processes, and outputs.

6.1.3.4.1 - I can determine and use appropriate safety procedures, tools, measurements, graphs and mathematical analyses to describe and investigate natural and designed systems in a physical science context.

Unit 5: Waves (9 - 10  days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.2.3.1.1 - I can describe properties of waves, including wavelength, speed, frequency, and amplitude.

6.2.2.1.1 - I can calculate the speed of an object traveling in a straight line.

6.2.3.1.2 - I can explain how the vibration of particles in air and other materials result in the transfer of energy through sound waves.

6.2.3.1.3 - I can use wave properties of light to explain reflection, refraction, and the color spectrum.

Unit 6: Engineering Design  (10 - 16  days)

State Standards/Benchmarks:

6.1.2.1.1 - I can identify a common engineered system and evaluate its impact on the daily life of humans.

6.1.2.1.2 - I can recognize there is no perfect design and that new technologies have consequences that may increase some risks decrease others.

6.1.2.1.3 - I can describe trade-offs in using manufactured products in terms of features, performance, durability and cost.

6.1.2.1.4 - I can explain the importance of learning from past failures, in order to inform future designs or products of similar products or systems.