Science Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 6

 

XI.  The Nature and Practice of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems.

 

Learning Standard  A:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry.

 

Observation and description

 

Objective 1:  Observe accurately using a variety of means

Objective 2:  Describe an event orally and in writing

 

Classification

 

Objective 3:  Group objects and information using common identification techniques

Objective 4:  Understand common classification methods

 

Problem identification

 

Objective 5:  Verbally express a given design problem

Objective 6:  Describe how to solve the problem

 

Repeated measurement and data collection

 

Objective 7:  Construct a graph or table to display results

Objective 8:  Measure accurately using System of International (S.I.) units

 

Hypothesis and conclusion

 

Objective 9:  Formulate hypotheses based on prior knowledge and observation

Objective 10:  Interpret and report results using scientific terms

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of technological design.

 

Experimental design and execution

 

Objective 1:  Identify a design problem and propose a variety of solutions

Objective 2:  Select a design and create and test the prototype

Objective 3:  Identify controls and variables

Objective 4:  Limit experiments to all but one variable

Objective 5:  Determine quantities and qualities of materials used

Objective 6:  Conduct tests a reasonable number of times

Objective 7:  Evaluate and report results

 

Tools of science

 

Objective 8:  Measure accurately using a variety of scientific instruments

Objective 9:  Identify instruments used in a variety of scientific fields

Objective 10:  Use computer technology to access current scientific information

 

XII.  The Fields of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life, physical, and earth/ space sciences.

 

 

Life Sciences

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change.

 

Categorizing plants and animals

 

Objective 1:  Classify plants and animals according to their common characteristics

Objective 2:  Describe plants and animals by kingdom and phylum

 

Needs of plants and animals

 

Objective 3:  Describe physical and chemical needs of plants and animals for survival

 

Structures and their function in living systems

 

Objective 4:  Compare how different forms in structures determine different functions

 

Life cycles and genetics

 

Objective 5:  Understand how an organism’s traits are inherited

Objective 6:  Describe how cells, tissues, organ systems, and organisms are interrelated

 

Cell biology

 

Objective 7:  Observe and describe a variety of organisms at the cellular level

Objective 8:  Identify structure and function of cell organelles

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

 

Environment and adaptations for survival

 

Objective 1:  Classify living and non-living factors in an environment and how they affect population density

 

Evolution

 

Objective 2:  Express a Christian perspective on God’s creation and earth’s history

Objective 3:  Understand prehistoric life including its development and extinction

 

 

Physical Sciences

 

Learning Standard C:  Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.

 

Matter

 

Objective 1:  Define and describe chemical and physical properties of matter

Objective 2:  Explain changes in states of matter

 

Periodic table

 

Objective 3:  Identify common elements in nature

Objective 4:  Understand general classification of elements in the periodic table

 

Density and buoyancy

 

Objective 5:  Calculate density of matter

Objective 6:  Test buoyancy of matter

 

Reactions

 

Objective 7:  Observe and explain chemical reactions

Objective 8:  Test for acidity and alkalinity in a variety of materials

 

 

Learning Standard D:  Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.

 

Electricity and magnetism

 

Objective 1:  Describe the position of the earth’s poles and its effect on magnetism

Objective 2:  Compare characteristics of conduction and insulation

 

Gravity

 

Objective 3:  Understand gravitational force in the solar system, specifically gravity’s effects on tides

 

 

Earth Sciences

 

Learning Standard E:  Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.

 

Weather

 

Objective 1:  Know that the sun drives weather phenomenon and energy transfer

Objective 2:  Predict weather for the next 12 – 24 hours based upon current wind, clouds, and atmospheric pressure using weather maps

Objective 3:  Describe the factors affecting weather

Objective 4:  Explain large-scale forces, events, and processes that affect the earth

Objective 5:  Identify factors that impact climate

 

Water

 

Objective 6:  Explain the water cycle process

Objective 7:  Explain water’s effect on erosion and weathering

Objective 8:  Investigate freshwater and saltwater systems and sources

Objective 9:  Identify characteristics of the ocean floor

Objective 10:  List and describe landforms created by glaciers

 

Geology

 

Objective 11:  Know the composition of soil and how it reflects the region’s geology

Objective 12:  Create, recreate, and interpret a variety of maps

Objective 13:  Classify rocks, minerals, and gems using common identification techniques

Objective 14:  Describe the rock cycle

Objective 15:  Identify characteristics and formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock

Objective 16:  List types of fossils, determine their past environment, and describe how they are formed

 

Earth’s structure

 

Objective 17:  Describe earth’s interior structure and processes

Objective 18:  Explain forces that shape the earth’s surface (volcanoes, earthquakes, plate movement, erosion, weathering, land slides, wind, etc.)

Objective 19:  Explain plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, and continental drift theory

 

Conservation of materials

 

Objective 20:  Describe methods of soil conservation

Objective 21:  Explain use and conservation of mineral and energy resources

Objective 22:  Put into practice water conservation methods

Objective 23:  Evaluate biodegradability of renewable and nonrenewable resources

 

 

Space Sciences

 

Learning Standard F:  Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth’s place in it.

 

Observational astronomy

 

Objective 1:  Explore telescopes and other observational devices

Objective 2:  Identify the circumpolar constellations

Objective 3:  Understand the ecliptic and its 13 constellations in the northern hemisphere

Objective 4:  Know that five planets can be seen from Earth by the naked eye

Objective 5:  Describe lunar phases

 

The solar system

 

Objective 6:  Explain the organization and characteristics of the solar system including planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and meteors

Objective 7:  Explain the earth’s seasons in its position and relationship to the sun

Objective 8:  Compare and contrast solar and lunar eclipses

Objective 9:  Identify the characteristics and structure of the sun

Objective 10:  Understand gravitational force in the solar system, specifically gravity’s effect on tides

Objective 11:  Know that the planet Earth and our solar system are unique, although similar systems might be discovered in the universe

 

Stars, galaxies and the universe

 

Objective 12:  Discover methods for measuring distances in space 

Objective 13:  Understand characteristics of stars including brightness, color, temperature, and life cycle

Objective 14:  Recognize that the universe is expanding at an increasing rate

Objective 15:  Explain theories for the origin and history of the universe

Objective 16:  Discuss man’s activities in space exploration

Objective 17:  Describe galaxies, including our own

 

 

XIII.  The History and Application of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the relationships among science, technology, and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

 

History of science

 

Objective 1:  Understand that scientific theory has and continues to change through time

Objective 2:  Identify scientists throughout history who have made large-scale contributions to scientific disciplines

 

Safety practices

 

Objective 3:  Identify and practice safety measures during scientific laboratory activities

 

Validity and reliability

 

Objective 4:  Understand that scientific theory historically changes through new discoveries

Objective 5:  Identify bias in results and conclusions of experiments

Objective 6:  Explain why similar investigations might not produce similar results

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society.

 

Technology and society

 

Objective 1:  Identify scientific and technological skills used in various occupations

Objective 2:  Describe how science and technology affect our society

 

Environmental social issues

 

Objective 3:  Apply classroom concepts to local environmental issues

Objective 4:  Carry out local conservation activity

 

Industrial design

 

Objective 5:  Construct and improve models using scientific principles

Objective 6:  Demonstrate and explain the design process while constructing models