Dunlap Community School Unit District 323
Noonen, Tim / Science 6 / Grade 6 (Dunlap Middle School)

Essential Questions

Content

Skills

Assessment

Learning Activities

Resources

(Week 1, 3 Weeks) 

• What is science?
• How does science affect everyday life?
• What is the scientific method?
• Historically, how has science contributed to society?
• What does a safe laboratory look like?
• What is the difference between a hypothesis, a theory and a law?

• The Scientific Method
• Introduction to Science Vocabulary
• Observation Methods
• Science History
• Measurement
• Lab Safety

• Describe and use the Scientific Method.
• Memorize and incorporate science terminology.
• Practice different methods of data collection.
• Explain how science is dynamic citing historical practices.
• Make measurements using the metric system.
• Identify, select and use appropriate lab equipment correctly.
• Compare and contrast different scientific theories and laws.
• Record and analyze data using different observational methods.
• Apply the scientific method to an everyday problem.
• Complete an experiment and identify the steps of the scientific method.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 4, 5 Weeks) 

• How is the universe organized?
• What are some of the theories of the origins of the universe and its components?
• What cycles are present within our solar system?
• How do the movements of the objects in our solar system affect us?
• What did ancient scientists contribute to modern astronomy?

• Heliocentrism
• Galileo/Copernicus
• Inner Planets/Outer Planets
• Planet Characteristics
• Rotation/Revolution
• Solstice/Equinox/ Seasons/ Day/Night
• Moon History/Moon Phases/Lunar Eclipses Gravity/Magnetic Field
• Comets/asteroids/meteoroids
• Temperature- Celsius/ Fahrenheit/Kelvin
• Distance- Kilometer/Mile/Astronomical Units
• Time- Day/Month/Year
• "Big Bang" Theory
• Solar System/Galaxy/Universe
• The Sun/Stars/Star Life Cycle
•  Constellations/Nebulas/Black Holes

• Distinguish between Heliocentrism and Geocentrism.
• Identify historical figures in Astronomy.
• Differentiate between rotation and revolution.
• Explain why there are seasons on Earth.
• Identify moon phases and their causes.
• Explain why solar and lunar eclipses occur.
• Sequence the planets according to their position in the solar system.
• Identify planets by their characteristics.
• Compare/Contrast the planets.
• Describe the components of the universe.
• Explain the life cycle of a star.
• Calculate time, distance and temperature using a variety of units and conversion formulas.
• Summarize the "Big Bang" theory.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 9, 5 Weeks) 

• What is matter?
• How do the parts of an atom determine how it will combine with other atoms?
• What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?
• Why is the periodic table organized correctly?

• Atomic Structure
• (Nucleus, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, Shells)
• Elements/Compounds/Mixtures
• Periodic Table
• Physical Properties/Chemical Properties
• States Of Matter/Changes Of State
• Physical Change Vs. Chemical Change

• Identify the states of matter.
• Draw, label and explain the parts of an atom.
• Explain the difference between elements, molecules, compounds and mixtures.
• Distinguish between chemical and physical properties.
• Distinguish between physical change and chemical change.
• Justify the elements' arrangement on the periodic table.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 14, 2 Weeks) 

• How did the Earth form?
• How does heat move within the Earth?
• What are the characteristics of each layer of the Earth?

• Earth Structure (Crust/Mantle/Core)
• Conduction/Convection/Radiation
• Earth Formation

• Describe the Earth's interior.
• Distinguish among the types of heat movement.
• Explain the geologic history.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 15, 2 Weeks) 

• What are the characteristics necessary to be identified as a mineral?
• What are some uses of minerals?
• Why are minerals important to society?

• Physical Properties vs. Chemical Properties
• Mineral Formation
• Mineral Uses

• Describe the physical and chemical properties used to identify minerals.
• Categorize minerals according to their physical characteristics.
• Identify elements that are found in minerals.
• Generate a list of minerals according to their uses.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 16, 2 Weeks) 

• How are rocks created?
• What characteristics of rocks determine if they are sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic rocks?

• Rock Formation
• Igneous/Sedimentary/Metamorphic Rocks

• Write a summary of the process by which rocks are created.
• Identify rocks by their properties.
• Sort rock samples by their properties.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 16, 5 Weeks) 

• What is the difference between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering?
• How does weathering affect land?
• How does erosion occur?
• What are the causes of erosion and deposition?
• How does the erosion/deposition process destroy and create landforms?
• How have glaciers changed the surface of the Earth?

• Mechanical Weathering vs. Chemical Weathering
• Glaciers/Glaciation

• Read for knowledge.
• Distinguish between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.
• Name some contributing factors of erosion.
• Explain the erosion/deposition cycle.
• Describe the effects of weathering on the landforms.
• Identify landforms by the processes that created them.
• Explain the effects of glaciers on the surrounding landscape.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 20, 3 Weeks) 

• What is the relationship between the formation of rocks, the erosion/deposition process, and the rock cycle?
• How does the rock cycle illustrate the principle of the conservation of matter?

• The Rock Cycle

• Describe the rock cycle.
• Construct and illustrate a diagram of the rock cycle.
• Explain the rock cycle.
• Explain the principle of the conservation of mass.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 22, 3 Weeks) 

• What is a fossil and what does it reveal about earth’s past?
• What does the rock layer a fossil is found in tell about it's age?
• How do scientist organize the major events of earth’s past?
• How have major events in Earth's history changed life?

• Fossil Formation
• Superposition
• Uniformitarianism

• List the conditions necessary for fossil formation.
• Differentiate between relative age and absolute age.
• Describe how superposition helps determine rock age.
• Identify examples where scientists correlated rock layers with historical events.
• Explain carbon dating.
• Organize Earth's history into units of time.
• Correlate the appearance of groups of organisms (fish,reptiles,mammals,etc.) and major extinctions with units of time.
• Describe the events that led to major extinctions.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of science

(Week 20, 9 Weeks) 

• What is the difference between the theory of Continental Drift and the theory of Plate Tectonics?
• What geologic processes occur at the different types of plate boundaries?
• What geologic features are created at the different types of plate boundaries?
• What are some of the hypotheses scientists have about the causes of plate movements?
• How have plate movements caused changes in the positions and shapes of Earth’s landmasses and what changes can be predicted about the future?

• Wegener’s Theory of Continental Drift
• Pangaea
• The Theory of Plate Tectonics
• Sea Floor Spreading/Mountain Building/Subduction Zones
• Continental Crust/Oceanic Crust
• Mid-Ocean Ridges/Rift Valleys/Trenches/Other Landforms
• Divergent/Convergent/Transform Boundaries

• Explain the theory of continental drift.
• Explain the theory of plate tectonics.
• Compare and contrast the types of plate boundaries.
• Identify plate boundaries on a map.
• Describe the geologic processes that occur at the different plate boundaries.
• Provide examples of the different forms of heat transfer.
• Illustrate and label the geologic processes that occur at plate boundaries.
• Predict how the Earth will appear in the future based on past plate movements.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 29, 3 Weeks) 

• How do humans impact the environment?
• What types of resources are part of Earth’s environment, and how are they important to humans? What are nonrenewable and renewable energy resources?
• How does the use of Earth’s resources affect Earth’s environment?
• What evidence do scientists have to support or debuke global warming?
• What are the benefits of a recycling program?

• Biogeography/Environment/Ecosystem/Habitat
• Pollution/Mining/Natural Resources
• Global Warming/The Greenhouse Effect/ Pollution
• Water Conservation
• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

• Describe the human population explosion.
• List ways the population increase has impacted the environment.
• Explain how land and resource consumption creates problems.
• Identify ways to conserve resources.
• Explain the advantages of reduce/reuse/recycle.
• Debate the existence of global warming.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 30, 4 Weeks) 

• What is the composition of the atmosphere?
• How does the sun affect the atmosphere?
• Why does air move?
• What role does water play in the atmosphere?
• What portion of the Earth's water is available for humans?
• How does water move?
• What is the relationship between heat transfer and water and air?
• How does the moon influence water?

• The atmosphere
• Freshwater/Saltwater/Ice
• World Geography
• Currents
• Waves
• Tides
• Ocean Zones/Layers

• Describe the composition of the atmosphere.
• Explain why different latitudes receive different amounts of solar energy.
• Provide reasons for air movement.
• Define the types and forms of water found on Earth.
• Identify bodies of water on a map.
• Illustrate and label the water cycle.
• List some challenges to provide fresh water for human populations.
• Describe wave formation.
• Explain how tides form.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science

(Week 33, 4 Weeks) 

• What is the hydrological cycle?
• How does severe weather occur?
• What precautions should be made in the event of severe weather?
• How has severe weather impacted human populations throughout history?
• How does El Nino affect weather patterns?
• Historically, how has climate change affected life on Earth?

• The Hydrological Cycle: (Evaporation/Condensation/Precipitation)
• Weather vs. Climate
• Tornadoes/Hurricanes/Droughts/Blizzards
• Tropical/Temperate/Polar/Terrestrial/Maritime
• High Pressure/Low Pressure/Wind

• Illustrate and explain the hydrological cycle.
• Identify the characteristics for severe weather.
• Discuss safety precautions for severe weather.
• Research and report historical accounts of severe weather.
• Define climate.
• Differentiate between weather and climate.
• Describe El Nino.
• Explore causes of climate change.

• Knowledge
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation

• Textbook
• Internet
• Other Resources
• Teacher Created Resources

Mr. Noonen's House of Science