EPPING MIDDLE SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:
Course
Description
District
Competencies
for Learning
District Skills
Competencies
for Learning
Sixth Grade Science
The sixth grade science program is designed to introduce students to middle
school level science. The curriculum focuses on the physical sciences of
physics and chemistry while integrating such concepts into the branches of
life and earth sciences. Within the framework of the class, students will
demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of science by: designing
projects in collaboration with other students, perform various hands on
activities to reinforce and comprehend concepts taught and analyze data
and draw conclusions in order solve problems. Topics covered in this course
include: lab safety, composition of matter, matter in solution, mechanical
waves, electromagnetic waves, magnetism, electricity, acids, bases and
salts.
Students will understand concepts and demonstrate ability to transfer skills across
content areas and apply concepts and skills to real-life situation.
Nature of Science – Develop an appreciation for the role science plays in our culture
and everyday lives, and actively engage in scientific investigation.
Stability & Change – Understand that living things, materials, and systems remain
constant, change at different rates, or exist in equilibrium over time.
Systems, Energy & Matter– Understand that there is order and predictability in the
universe which can be organized into systems and predicted by laws and theories.
Structure & Function – Understand that the structure or shape of a living thing,
material, or system is related to its function.
Models & Explanations – Understand that scientists use models, logic, evidence,
and current knowledge to explain their world.
Students will become a:
Collaborator – Students will understand that respect, collaboration, and leadership
are critical to interacting and working effectively with others.
Communicator – Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using
the most appropriate and effective means.
Contributor – Students will demonstrate the ability to contribute toward a better
world through community service, acceptance and tolerance of diverse people, and
responsibility for the environment.
Evaluator – Students will demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, use, and
manage information.
Learner – Students will demonstrate the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and
accountable throughout the learning process.
Producer – Students will demonstrate the ability to manage projects, produce
results, and create media products.
Technology User – Students will demonstrate the ability to use technology
respectfully and apply it effectively.
Thinker – Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and
The Epping Middle School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.
EPPING MIDDLE SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
systemically to define and solve problems.
School Based
Course
Competency
Statements
(CCS linked to
DCL)
Units of Study
Course Unit
Content and
Skills
PLEASE LIST YOUR COURSE COMPETENCIES AND LINK THE DISTRICT
COMPENTENCIES THAT YOUR COURSE COMPETENCIES REFLECT)
1. Students will understand that scientific investigations are carried out under the
guidelines of the scientific method through the safe and proper use of the tools
and technology of the trade. (Nature of Science, Models & Explanations)
2. Students will understand that matter and energy flow through and between
ecosystems following patterns that include both living and non-living factors.
(Systems & Energy, Matter)
3. Students will understand that scientific knowledge is the result of the cumulative
efforts of people, past and present, who have attempted to understand the
natural world, and that this knowledge is continually revised as new information
is obtained. (Nature of Science, Models & Explanations)
1. Lab safety and Introduction to Matter
2. Composition of Matter
3. Matter in Solution
4. Sound and Hearing
5. Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
6. Magnetism and Electricity
7. Acids, Bases and Salts
Lab Safety and Introduction to Matter
1. Understand what is safe and unsafe behavior and what the rationale is
behind each safety rule(Models & Explanations)
2. Identify the parts of an atom(Nature of Science)
3. Identify the characteristics of a vacuum(Constancy & Change
4. Identify elements on the periodic table(Nature of Science)
5. Determine the neutrons, protons and electrons of an element using the
atomic number and mass number(Models & Explanations)
6. Identify areas of the periodic table containing light metals, heavy metals,
nonmetals and noble gases(Systems & Energy)
Composition of Matter
1. Differentiate among substances, elements compounds and mixtures(Nature
of Science)
2. Give examples of heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures(Models &
Explanations)
3. Recognize examples of physical properties(Form & Function)
The Epping Middle School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.
EPPING MIDDLE SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Measure length, volume and mass of different materials(Systems & Energy)
Relate density to mass and volume(Systems & Energy)
Distinguish between physical and chemical changes(Models & Explanations)
Distinguish among solids, liquids, and gases(Form & Function)
Describe physical changes relating to solids, liquids and gases( Models &
Explanations)
Matter in Solution
1. Classify solutions(Form & Function)
2. Define and identify solutes and solvents(Nature of Science)
3. Describe three factors that affect the rates at which solids and gases dissolve
in liquids(Systems & Energy)
4. Describe how solubility varies for different solutes and for the same solute at
different temperatures(Constancy & Change)
5. Interpret solubility graphs(Models & Explanations)
6. Compare and contrast saturated and unsaturated solutions(Nature of
Science)
7. Infer solution concentrations(Nature of Science)
8. Distinguish between a colloid and suspension(Models & Explanations)
Sound and Hearing
1. Recognize that sounds are created by vibrations(Models & Explanations)
2. Distinguish between compression and rarefaction(Systems & Energy)
3. Describe the way sound travels through matter(Form & Function)
4. Use the length or thickness of a vibrating object to predict whether its sound
will be high or low(Models & Explanations)
5. Describe the relationship between pitch and frequency(Systems & Energy)
6. Compare and contrast the sound frequencies humans can hear with the
sound frequencies animals can hear(Models & Explanations)
7. Distinguish between music and noise(Form & Function)
8. Explain how different musical instruments produce sounds of different
quality(Nature of Science)
9. Describe Resonance(Models & Explanations)
Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
1. Explain what causes mechanical waves(Nature of Science)
2. Describe transverse and longitudinal waves and how they are
represented(Models & Explanations)
3. Describe the basic properties of mechanical waves(Systems & Energy)
4. Explain how a wave’s speed is related to its wavelength and frequency and
calculate a wave’s speed(Form & Function)
The Epping Middle School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.
EPPING MIDDLE SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
5. State what an electromagnetic wave consists of(Nature of Science)
6. Identify the particle and wave models that explain the behavior of
electromagnetic waves(Models & Explanations)
7. Explain how electromagnetic waves are alike and how they are
different(Nature of Science)
8. Describe the waves that make up the electromagnetic spectrum(Form &
Function)
Electricity and Magnetism
1. Describe the structure of an atom(Nature of Science)
2. Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy(Form & Function)
3. Describe what electrical energy is(Systems & Energy)
4. Identify the basic requirements of an electrical circuit and correctly construct
simple electric circuits.( Models & Explanations)
5. Identify and describe open circuits, closed circuits, serial circuits and parallel
circuits.( Form & Function)
6. Describe how electricity and magnetism can combine to form technological
systems such as electromagnets and motors.( Models & Explanations)
Acids, Bases and Salts
1. Describe the properties of acids(Nature of Science)
2. Compare and contrast some common acids and their uses (Form & Function)
3. Describe the properties of a base(Form & Function)
4. Compare and contrast some common bases and their uses(Models &
Explanations)
5. Analyze a pH reading and tell what it means(Form & Function)
6. Explain what an indicator shows about acids and bases(Form & Function)
7. Observe a neutralization reaction(Models & Explanations)
8. Explain how salts form(Form & Function)
Instructional
Strategies
Strong focus on laboratory procedure and safety. Individual and group learning
through experimentation, problem solving, research and investigation.
Assessment
Strategies
Approved
Student portfolio containing lab final drafts, real life scenarios that require unit
concept understandings, individual and group presentations of research
February 2012
The Epping Middle School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become respectful, involved, and knowledgeable 21st century learners and citizens.