Section 1 — MW 2pm

Sixth Grade (55 students)

Standard I: Students will understand that the appearance of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.

Objective 2: Demonstrate how the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun create the appearance of the moon’s phases.

1. Identify the difference between the motion of an object rotating on its axis and an object revolving in orbit.
2. Compare how objects in the sky (the moon, planets, stars) change in relative position over the course of the day or night.
3. Model the movement and relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun.

Standard II: Students will understand how Earth’s tilt on its axis changes the length of daylight and creates the seasons.

Objective 1: Describe the relationship between the tilt of Earth's axis and its yearly orbit around the sun.

1. Describe the yearly revolution (orbit) of Earth around the sun.
2. Explain that Earth's axis is tilted relative to its yearly orbit around the sun.
3. Investigate the relationship between the amount of heat absorbed and the angle to the light source.

Objective 2: Explain how the relationship between the tilt of Earth's axis and its yearly orbit around the sun produces the seasons.

1. Compare Earth’s position in relationship to the sun during each season.
2. Compare the hours of daylight and illustrate the angle that the sun's rays strikes the surface of Earth during summer, fall, winter, and spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
3. Use collected data to compare patterns relating to seasonal daylight changes.
4. Use a drawing and/or model to explain that changes in the angle at which light from the sun strikes Earth, and the length of daylight, determine seasonal differences in the amount of energy received.
5. Use a model to explain why the seasons are reversed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Science Benchmark: The solar system consists of planets, moons, and other smaller objects including asteroids and comets that orbit the sun. Planets in the solar system differ in terms of their distance from the sun, number of moons, size, composition, and ability to sustain life. Every object exerts gravitational force on every other object depending on the mass of the objects and the distance between them. The sun’s gravitational pull holds Earth and other planets in orbit. Earth’s gravitational force holds the moon in orbit. The sun is one of billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy, that is one of billions of galaxies in the universe. Scientists use a variety of tools to investigate the nature of stars, galaxies, and the universe. Historically, cultures have observed objects in the sky and understood and used them in various ways.

Standard III: Students will understand the relationship and attributes of objects in the solar system.

Objective 1: Describe and compare the components of the solar system.

1. Identify the planets in the solar system by name and relative location from the sun.
2. Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or gaseous).
3. Use models and graphs that accurately depict scale to compare the size and distance between objects in the solar system.
4. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
5. Research and report on the use of manmade satellites orbiting Earth and various planets.

Objective 2: Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to science’s understanding of the solar system.

1. Describe the use of instruments to observe and explore the moon and planets.
2. Describe the role of computers in understanding the solar system (e.g., collecting and interpreting data from observations, predicting motion of objects, operating space probes).
3. Relate science’s understanding of the solar system to the technology used to investigate it.
4. Find and report on ways technology has been and is being used to investigate the solar system.

Objective 3: Describe the forces that keep objects in orbit in the solar system.

1. Describe the forces holding Earth in orbit around the sun, and the moon in orbit around Earth.
2. Relate a celestial object’s mass to its gravitational force on other objects.
3. Identify the role gravity plays in the structure of the solar system.

Ideas for connections to earth science:

1. See Ch. 1 of Earth Science for Every Kid.
2. For lesson plans about space, see: http://www.proteacher.com/110020.shtml
3. For lessons about the solar system, see: http://www.proteacher.com/110066.shtml
4. Teach about the volcanoes on Mars and other planets/moons in the solar system.
5. Teach about how the earth is thought to have been formed.