PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

Course Syllabus

Course Title: 6th Grade Science

Textbook: Holt Science and Technology

Course Description:

This Middle School Science course will introduce students to Scientific Investigation and 3 different fields of Science – Earth Science, Physics, and Chemistry. Through hands-on activities, lab investigations, textbook readings and projects, students will make connections between the scientific concepts learned in class and their everyday lives. Students will be given the opportunity to develop their understanding of the core concepts of scientific thought through, models, diagrams, discussion and use of technology. There is also an emphasis, throughout the year, on developing scientific process skills including: measurement with a graduated cylinder, triple beam balance and metric ruler. This science course lays the foundation for future endeavors in science both in and outside of the classroom.

Time Frame / Topic
Marking Period 1 / Introduction to Science Investigation
·  Safety in the Science Classroom
·  Quantitative vs. Qualitative Observations
·  Measurement of Length, Volume, Mass, Temperature & Density
·  The Metric System and Related Science Equipment
·  Making Inferences and Interpretation of Data
·  Identifying Variables
·  Introduction to Hypotheses
·  Interpreting and Creating Graphs
·  The Scientific Method
·  Drawing and Writing Conclusions
·  Science Lab Format
Marking Period 2 / Introduction to Physics
·  Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
·  Mass vs. Weight
·  Force and Motion
·  Applying Mathematical Formulas of Motion
·  Gravity
·  Air Resistance
·  Laws of Motion
·  Inertia
·  Friction
·  Momentum
·  Flying Forces (Drag, Lift, Thrust, Weight)
·  Action vs. Reaction Forces
·  Forces in Fluids (Buoyancy)
Marking Period 3 / Introduction to Chemistry
·  Characteristics of Matter
·  Mass, Volume, and Density
·  States of Matter
·  Particle Motion
·  Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, and Solutions
·  Physical vs. Chemical Changes
·  Atomic Structure
·  Acids, Bases, Salts
·  Polymers and Plastics
Marking Period 4 / Introduction to Earth Science
·  Theory of Continental Drift and Pangaea
·  Theory of Plate Tectonics
·  Sea Floor Spreading
·  Magnetism
·  Convection Currents
·  Types of Mountains
·  Earthquakes
·  Richter Scale
·  Volcanoes
·  Island Formation/Hot Spots
·  Forces inside the earth produce a Rock Cycle
·  Rocks have different characteristics than minerals
·  Minerals