MSAD #55

Grade Six Science Benchmarks

And Units

10/05           

 

The Earth

 

F.         Students will gain knowledge about the earth and the processes that change it.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Demonstrate how the earthÕs tilt on its axis results in the seasons.

           

q      Solar Energy

 

Energy

 

H.        Students will understand concepts of energy.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of energy conversions (e.g., in electricity generation)

 

q      Solar Energy

 

2.           Demonstrate that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one

form to another.

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Solar Energy

 

 

5.          Categorize energy sources as renewable or nonrenewable and compare how these

           sources are used by humans.

 

q      Solar Energy

 

Motion

 

I.          Students will understand the motion of objects and how forces can change that motion.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Describe the motion of objects using knowledge of NewtonÕs Laws.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

2.              Use mathematics to describe the motion of objects (e.g., speed, distance, time, acceleration)

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

 

3.         Describe and quantify the ways machines can provide mechanical advantages in producing motion.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

 

Inquiry and Problem Solving

 

J.         The student will apply inquiry and problem-solving approaches in science and technology.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

 

2.         Design and conduct scientific investigations which include controlled experiments and systematic observations.  Collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions fairly.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

3.         Verify and evaluate scientific investigations and use the results in a purposeful way.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

 4.        Compare and contrast the processes of scientific inquiry and the technological method.

 

q      Solar Energy

 

 

 6.        Design, construct, and test a device (e.g., invention) that solves a special problem.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

 

Scientific Reasoning

 

K.        Students will learn to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions  Students will be able to:

 

1.              Examine the ways people form generalizations.

 

q      Solar Energy

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

2.         Identify exceptions to proposed generalizations.

 

q      Solar Energy

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

3.              Identify basic informal fallacies in arguments.

 

q      Models and Designs

 

4.              Analyze means of slanting information.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

 

6.           Support reasoning by using a variety of evidence.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

 

7.           Construct logical arguments.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

Communication

 

L.         Students will communicate effectively in the application of science and technology.  Students will be able to:

 

1.              Discuss scientific and technological ideas and make conjectures and convincing arguments.

 

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

2.              Defend problem-solving strategies and solutions.

 

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

3.              Evaluate individual and group communication for clarity, and work to improve communication.

 

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

4.              Make and use scale drawings, maps, and three-dimensional models to represent real objects, find locations, and describe relationships.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

5.              Access information at remote sites using telecommunications.

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

q      Solar Energy

 

6.              Identify and perform roles necessary to accomplish group tasks.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

q      Models and Designs

 

Implications of Science and Technology

 

M.        Students will understand the historical, social, economical, environmental, and ethical implications of science and technology.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Research and evaluate the social and environmental impacts of scientific and technological developments.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

2.              Describe the historical and cultural conditions at the time of an invention or discovery, and analyze the societal impacts of that invention.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

 

7.              Explain the connections between industry, natural resources, population, and economic development.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys

 

8.              Recognize scientific and technological contributions of diverse people including women, different ethnic groups, races, and physically disabled.

 

q      Levers and Pulleys