Science
Grade 6 Curriculum
Science as Inquiry, Systems, and Stewardship
Grade 6 Science at Mosaic Shalom Academy introduces students to science as a disciplined process of inquiry used to understand the natural world and humanity's place within it. Students develop foundational scientific skills by making careful observations, designing investigations, collecting and analyzing data using the metric system, and communicating evidence-based conclusions.
The curriculum emphasizes interconnected systems through the study of ecology, energy flow, and Earth's closely coupled systems, while also building a strong foundation in physics, including forces, motion, and energy.
Throughout the course, students learn to think critically, apply scientific reasoning to real-world phenomena, and understand the responsibility that accompanies scientific knowledge. By the end of the year, students are prepared for more advanced scientific study and are equipped to engage thoughtfully with the scientific challenges facing their communities and the wider world.
Differentiated Learning Levels
Students are placed in the level that best matches their current abilities and learning needs, ensuring personalized growth and challenge.
Basis / Fundamentos
Level 1: Foundations
This level focuses on building confidence, access, and core scientific understanding through highly supported, hands-on learning. Students develop foundational skills in observation, measurement, and scientific vocabulary while engaging in structured investigations. Emphasis is placed on curiosity, accuracy, and developing the habits needed to participate successfully in scientific inquiry.
Meyumanut / Competencia
Level 2: Proficiency
This level emphasizes full mastery of Grade 6 science standards through balanced instruction and independent practice. Students design and conduct investigations, analyze data, and communicate evidence-based explanations with increasing precision. Instruction supports students in applying scientific concepts to real-world systems and phenomena.
Rama Gvoha / Dominio
Level 3: Mastery
This level provides enriched, in-depth scientific study that prioritizes complexity, independence, and systems thinking. Students engage in open-ended investigations, evaluate sources of error, and apply scientific reasoning to multifaceted problems involving natural and human systems. The course prepares students for advanced scientific coursework and leadership in collaborative inquiry.
UNIT 1 • September
The Nature of Science & Scientific Inquiry
Science as a process of observation, inference, testing, and revision.
Core Outcomes
Students will:
- Describe the characteristics of a scientist
- Explain how scientists use their senses and tools
- Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative observations
- Make inferences based on evidence
- Identify the steps of the Scientific Method
- Write a hypothesis correctly
- Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- Write clear, evidence-based conclusions
- Participate in scientific research projects
MSA Framing
Science is presented as a disciplined search for truth grounded in evidence, humility, and intellectual honesty. Students learn that careful observation, respectful disagreement, and revision of ideas are essential to both scientific inquiry and meaningful dialogue across differences.
Performance Task
Student-designed investigation using a testable question
UNIT 2 • Late September–October
Scientific Measurement, Data & the Metric System
Precision, accuracy, and communication in science.
Core Outcomes
Students will:
- Accurately measure length, width, and volume
- Use the metric system for scientific research
- Select appropriate units of measurement
- Create and interpret graphs
- Convert within the metric system
Embedded Skills
- Lab notebook organization
- Data tables and graphing conventions
- Error analysis (introductory)
MSA Framing
Students examine how precision, accuracy, and transparency in measurement support trust and shared understanding. Emphasis is placed on the ethical responsibility scientists have to report data honestly and to recognize the consequences of error or bias.
Performance Task
Multi-day measurement and data-analysis lab
UNIT 3 • November–January
Ecology & Interconnected Systems
Living systems, energy flow, and human impact.
Core Outcomes
Students will:
- Apply scientific concepts to the living and nonliving environment
- Describe how living things depend on biotic and abiotic factors
- Describe the effects of environmental changes on populations
- Describe the flow of energy and matter through food chains and food webs
- Provide evidence that green plants make food and explain why this matters
- Compare producers, consumers, and decomposers
- Describe factors responsible for competition within species
- Describe biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems
- Describe how biological clocks affect organisms
- Explain links between biological clocks and cycles in time
- Describe how ecosystems change through succession
- Describe how plants and animals move from one area to another
- Discuss reasons for the extinction of organisms
- Develop an understanding of Earth as a set of closely coupled systems
MSA Framing
This unit highlights the interdependence of living and nonliving systems and humanity's role within them. Students explore stewardship as a shared responsibility and analyze how scientific understanding can guide thoughtful care for communities and the environment.
Performance Task
Ecosystem case study with human impact analysis
UNIT 4 • February–May
Physics — Forces, Motion & Energy
How energy and matter interact through forces.
Core Outcomes
Students will:
- Describe how objects move
- Observe and compare the effects of forces including gravity, electricity, and magnetism
- Define force and provide examples in nature
- Explain Newton's Law of Gravity
- Describe how a spring scale measures weight
- Identify examples of friction and ways to change it
- Explain how air resistance affects moving objects
- Explain motion relative to a reference point
- Differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration
- Define momentum and explain how it is calculated
- Describe Newton's three laws of motion
- Compare potential and kinetic energy
- Identify different forms of energy
- Identify examples of energy changing form
Embedded Skills
- Controlled experiments
- Mathematical reasoning in science
- Modeling motion and energy transfer
MSA Framing
Students investigate universal physical laws that govern motion and energy, reinforcing the idea that shared rules underlie diverse phenomena. The unit emphasizes using scientific knowledge responsibly to design solutions that benefit society.
Performance Task
Engineering-style challenge (motion or energy-based)
UNIT 5 • June
Synthesis & Scientific Application
Applying scientific thinking to real-world problems.
Core Outcomes
Students will:
- Integrate inquiry, measurement, systems thinking, and physics
- Design and present a research-based solution to a real problem
- Communicate scientific ideas clearly and responsibly
MSA Framing
Students apply scientific thinking to real-world challenges, demonstrating how inquiry, collaboration, and ethical reasoning can be used to address complex problems. The unit reinforces science as a tool for understanding, responsibility, and constructive action.
Performance Task
MSA Science Symposium: Question-driven, evidence-based, presented to peers and community members