6th Grade Earth Science Curriculum Unit 1: Introduction to Scientific Methods Overview of Unit The introductory 6th Grade Earth Sciences Unit has 2 broad purposes. The first is to expose the student to the tools, methods, and processes used by scientists to study our Universe. This includes: a) safe laboratory practices b) quantitative data gathering (measurement) c) qualitative data gathering (observation) d) scientific experimentation e) scientific modeling The second purpose for this unit is to introduce students to the two explanatory themes that underpin much of the Earth Sciences: a) density b) convection These two broad purposes will be presented primarily through a combination of experiments, demonstrations, and readings, combined, to a lesser extent, with lectures and discussions. The curriculum objectives in Unit 1 are designed to support and set the stage for the study of Earth Science throughout the remainder of the course. Therefore, Unit 1 should be viewed as an introduction for 6th graders to the tools and concepts needed for an understanding of Earth Science. Lesson Synopsis Lesson 1: Laboratory Safety and Classroom Management This two day lesson introduces the students to safe laboratory procedures, classroom management guidelines, and group roles and procedures. Students are required to study a set of safety guidelines with their parents, and to sign a contract stating that they understand the importance of safe laboratory practice. Lesson 2: Observation and Inference Students are introduced to scientific investigations for the first time. The differences between an inference and an objective observation are spelled out. Students also are introduced to the two types of scientific data: qualitative and quantitative. The lesson centers on an investigation, as students learn to observe and record data as they study a unique property of water: surface tension. They are also introduced to the importance of explanation as they are challenged to explain why water behaves as it does in their investigations. Lessons 3 - 13: Dry Ice Investigations This eleven lesson sequence allows students, through hands on activities, to perform both systematic observations and experiments. The important concepts of investigable questions and variables is developed through a series of guided activities that outline the various ways in which science is done. This lays the groundwork for a more open ended, inquiry based study on the part of the students. Students ask relevant questions about dry ice, form hypotheses, design their own investigations that provide an opportunity to test their hypotheses, and communicate their results. Again, they are challenged to come up with explanations for what they have observed. is developed Along the way, they also are introduced to the particulate model of matter, the three phases of matter, and the kinetic model of phase change. Lessons 14 - 16: Density This three lesson sequence introduces students to the concept of density, which is one of the key explanatory concepts for most Earth Science phenomena. Density is developed through observation and investigation, and as a mathematical concept of mass divided by volume. Thus, students are given a chance to observe density in liquids and gases qualitatively, and to measure the density of liquids quantitatively. Lessons 17 - 19: Convection This three lesson sequence gives students an opportunity to observe convection currents in both liquids and gases that are heated unevenly. An understanding of the mechanism of energy transfer through convection is than used to explain several real world phenomena. Lessons 20 - 23: Measurement This four lesson sequence introduces students to the International System of Units, and the Metric System upon which it is based. The basic units for distance (meters), mass (grams), and volume (liters) are taught, as well as the prefixes that combine with each basic unit to create a decimal based measurement system. Students also gain experience performing measurements with basic measurement tools: the ruler, the balance, and the graduated cylinder. Students also learn to convert from one unit to another. Unit 1 Vocabulary Lesson 1: Laboratory Safety and Classroom Management Lesson 2: Observation and Inference Lesson 3: Introduction to Observation Lesson 4: Comparing H2O to CO2 Lesson 5: Matter and Energy Lesson 6: Exploring Dry Ice Lesson 7: Marge's Systematic Observation Lesson 8: Floating Bubbles Lesson 9: Marge's Experiment Lesson 10: Investigable Questions Lesson 11: Planning an Investigation Lesson 12: Conducting Investigations Lesson 13: Sharing Results Lesson 14: Layering Liquids Lesson 15: Layering Salt Solutions Lesson 16: Density in Everyday Life Lesson 17: Observing Convection Lesson 18: Understanding Convection Lesson 19: Convection in Air Lesson 20: Intro to Measurement Lesson 21: How Big is my Favorite Stuffed Animal? Lesson 22: Measuring Volume Lesson 23: Gummy Bear Lab