Science Unit Organizer
Grade Level/Course
Conceptual Strand
Energy: Conservation and Transfer
Grade 6
NC Science Essential Standard(s)
6.P.3 Understand characteristics of energy transfer and interactions of matter and energy.
Clarifying Objectives
Number
6.P.3.1
Standard
Illustrate the transfer of heat energy from warmer objects to cooler ones using
examples of conduction, radiation and convection and the effect that may result.
6.P.3.2
Explain the effects of the electromagnetic waves on various materials to include
absorption, scattering and change in temperature.
6.P.3.3
Explain the suitability of materials for use in technological design based on response
to heat (to include, conduction, expansion, and contraction) and electrical energy
(conductors and insulators).
Key Vocabulary
Conduction
Convection
Electromagnet Wave
6.P.3.1
Heat Energy
Radiation
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Infrared light
Refracted
6.P.3.2
Scattering (Reflected)
Ultra-violet Light
Visible light spectrum
Conductors
Contraction
6.P.3.3
Expansion
Insulators
Thermal Energy
Big Ideas
Essential Questions
Energy can be transferred from one How is thermal energy transferred through
system to another is different ways matter?
which include: Thermally,
Mechanically, Electrically.
6.P.3.1
Thermal Energy is transferred three
ways through conduction, radiation,
convection
Heat is transferred until both
objects are at an equilibrium
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Light interacts with matter through
absorption, refraction, scattering
(reflection)
6.P.3.2
How do the waves of the electromagnetic
spectrum respond to different materials?
The electromagnetic spectrum is a
collection of waves with decreasing
wavelengths and increasing
frequencies
Visible spectrum is a portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum that is
visible to (can only be detected by)
human eye
Thermal energy is transferred
through a material by the collision
of atoms within the material
Conductors are materials in which
thermal/electrical energy passes
through readily
6.P.3.3
Insulators are materials in which
limit the passing of
thermal/electrical energy
How do conductors aid in the transport of
energy?
How do insulators inhibit the transport of
energy?
What is the difference between thermal energy
and electrical energy?
Electrical insulators include
nonmetallic solids such as rubber,
glass, porcelain, ceramic
Thermal conductors include
aluminum, copper and steal
Learning Targets
6.P.3.1
Describe the relationship between thermal energy transfer and matter
Illustrate the directions of transfer of heat energy
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Determine how convection and radiation transfer energy.
Analyze heat flow through materials or across space from warm objects to cooler
objects until both objects are at equilibrium
6.P.3.2
Discover how visible light, Ultra-violet light, and Infrared light interact with matter
Analyze the physical interactions of light and matter:
o Absorption
o Scattering
o Color Perception
6.P.3.3
Differentiate between thermal energy and electrical energy
Summarize the suitability of materials for use of technological design. (expansion joint
strips, pot handles)
Analyze response to heat to determine the suitability of materials for use in
technological design:
o Conduction
o Expansion
o Contraction
Summarizes how aluminum, steel, and copper are conductors
Summarize how rubber, glass, porcelain, and ceramic are insulators
Information and Technology Standards
6.TT.1
Use technology and other resources for the purpose of accessing, organizing, and sharing information.
6.TT.1.1
Select appropriate technology tools to gather data and information (e.g., Web-based resources, e-books,
online communication tools, etc.).
6.TT.1.2
Select appropriate technology tools to organize data and information (e.g., word processor, database,
spreadsheet, graphic organizer, audio and visual recording, online collaboration tools, etc.).
6.TT.1.3
Select appropriate technology tools to present data and information effectively (multimedia, audio and visual
recording, online collaboration tools, etc.).
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Literacy Standards
1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis
of science and technical texts.
2. Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a
text; provide an accurate summary of the text
distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when
carrying out experiments, taking measurements,
or performing technical tasks
4. Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms,
and other domain-specific words and phrases as
they are used in a specific scientific or technical
context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
5. Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a
text, including how the major sections contribute
to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
6. Analyze the author’s purpose in providing an
explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing
an experiment in a text.
7. Integrate quantitative or technical information
expressed in words in a text with a version of that
information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart,
diagram, model, graph, or table).
8. Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment
based on research findings, and speculation in a
text.
9. Compare and contrast the information gained
from experiments, simulations, video, or
multimedia sources with that gained from reading
a text on the same topic.
10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend
science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text
complexity band independently and proficiently.
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