2016.17 Sixth Grade Science, Quarter 3
Big Ideas/Key Concepts:
 The earth is surrounded by an active atmosphere and an energy system that controls the distribution life, local weather, climate and
global temperature.
 The cosmos is vast and explored well enough to know its basic structure and operational principles.
Standards
Student Friendly “I Can” Statements
Weather – continued
Weather – continued
I can identify the sun as the major source of energy for ocean currents.
SPI 0607.8.3 Describe how temperature differences in the ocean account
for currents.
I can examine the “Global Ocean Conveyor” (thermohaline circulation)
that yields surface and deep currents due to density, salt content and
temperature.
6. WCE.SC.14: Explain that the global movement of water is affected by
the transfer of energy and variations in salt concentrations.
I can explain that the global movement of water is affected by the
transfer of energy and variations in salt concentrations.
6. WCE.SC.15: Model and explain a convection cell in the ocean.
I can model and explain that the circular motion of convection cells is
based on density (less/more dense), temperature (warmer/cooler),
particle motion (fast/slow movement) and salinity (less salt/more salt).
SPI 0607.8.4 Interpret meteorological data to make predictions about the
weather.
I can interpret data found on ocean current maps and make predictions
about weather events.
6. WCE.SC.16: Explain how wind and ocean currents affect weather and
climate along coastal regions.
I can explain how wind and ocean currents (surface and deep) affect
weather and climate along coastal regions.
 California current
 Gulf stream
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6. WCE.SC.17: Model how air moves along coastal regions, due to land
and water heating at different rates.
I can model how air moves, due to land and water heating at different
rates
6.WCE.SC.18: Research and communicate the following concepts:
tornado/hurricane, cold/warm air masses, weather fronts, high/low
pressure systems, the water cycle as it pertains to weather.
I can determine the textual meaning of and explain the following:
•
Severe weather (tornado/Hurricane)
•
Air Masses (Cold/Warm)
•
Weather Fronts
•
Water Cycle
•
High and Low Pressure Systems
6. WCE.SC.19: Evaluate tools and technologies designed to predict and
minimize the effects of severe weather and other natural disasters.
I can evaluate tools and technologies (seismic monitors, tiltmeters,
spectrometer, radar mapping, etc…) designed to predict and minimize
the effects of severe weather and other natural disasters such as
volcanoes or earthquakes.
SPI 0607.T/E.3 Distinguish between the intended benefits and the
unintended consequences of a new technology.
Universe
SPI 0607.6.3 Distinguish among a day, lunar cycle and year based on the
movements of the earth, sun, and moon.
Universe
I can explain the processes of rotation and revolution of the Earth and
Moon around the Sun.
•
Rotation (Period of Rotation/year)
•
Revolution (Period of Revolution/day)
•
Orbit
•
Lunar Cycle(Origination of the Month/Calendar)
SPI 0607.6.6 Use a diagram that shows the positions of the earth and sun
to explain the four seasons.
I can model the positions of the Sun and Earth, in order to communicate
why we have seasons on Earth.
•
Seasons duration
•
Solstices/Equinoxes—beginning of each season
•
Solar Angle (Direct/Indirect Light-Beam Spreading)
•
North Star (Polaris)
•
Tilt of Axis (23.5 degrees) is one cause for seasons
•
Northern and Southern Hemispheres—have opposite
seasons
•
Rotation / revolution
•
Counterclockwise
6. WCE.SC.20: Relate the tilt of Earth’s axis to varying intensities of
sunlight at different latitudes, and its impact on climate and global
atmospheric convection currents.
SPI 0607.6.4 Explain the different phases of the moon using a model of
the earth, moon, and sun.
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SPI 0607.6.5 Predict the types of tides that occur when the earth and
moon occupy various positions.
I can model and explain the phases of the Moon in a Lunar Cycle.
•
8 Phases
•
Waning/Waxing
•
View from Earth
•
View from Space
SPI 0607.6.7 Explain the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
I can model and diagram the relationship between the Earth, Sun and
Moon during High Tide and Low Tide.
•
Neap/Spring Tides
•
Tidal Range
•
Daily Tides
I can model and explain the relationship between the Earth, Sun and
Moon during Solar and Lunar eclipses.
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