APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: August
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Scientific method and inquiry based experimentation
1. Big Ideas Scientific process skills
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas
Lab safety skills
Collecting
Analyzing and graphically representing data
What is the scientific method and when does it result in scientific knowledge? Compare and contrast scientific
2. Essential Questions variables and constants. How is a control used during an experiment?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND I: Scientific Thinking and Practice

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing,
experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critically.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark I: Use scientific methods to develop questions, design and conduct experiments using appropriate
Italicized and highlighted in technologies, analyze and evaluate results, make predictions, and communicate findings.
yellow. I.I.I.1 Construct appropriate graphs from data and develop qualitative and quantitative statements about the
relationships between variables being investigated.
I.I.I.2 Examine the reasonableness of data supporting a proposed scientific explanation.
I.I.I.3 Justify predictions and conclusions based on data.
5-8 Benchmark II: Understand the processes of scientific investigation and how scientific inquiry results in scientific
knowledge.
I.I.II.1 Understand that scientific knowledge is continually reviewed, critiqued, and revised as new data become
available.
I.I.II.2 Understand that scientific investigations use common processes that include the collection of relevant data and
observations, accurate measurements, the identification and control of variables, and logical reasoning to formulate
hypotheses and explanations.
I.I.II.3 Understand that not all investigations result in defensible scientific explanations.
5-8 Benchmark III: Use mathematical ideas, tools, and techniques to understand scientific knowledge.
I.I.III.1 Evaluate the usefulness and relevance of data to an investigation.
I.I.III.2 Use probabilities, patterns, and relationships to explain data and observations.
4. Assessments

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 1

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 2

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: September
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Properties of matter
1. Big Ideas Density and volume
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

What are a physical and a chemical property? How do you know there has been a chemical change? What are the
2. Essential Questions properties by which matter is identified?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I: (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark I: Know the forms and properties of matter and how matter interacts.
Italicized and highlighted in II.I.I.1 Understand that substances have characteristic properties and identify the properties of various substances
yellow. (e.g., density, boiling point, solubility, chemical reactivity).
II.I.I.2 Use properties to identify substances (e.g., for minerals: the hardness, streak, color, reactivity to acid, cleavage,
fracture).
II.I.I.3 Know that there are about 100 known elements that combine to produce compounds in living organisms and
nonliving substances.
II.I.I.4 Know the differences between chemical and physical properties and how these properties can influence the
interactions of matter.
5-8 Benchmark II: Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
II.I.II.1 Identify various types of energy (e.g., heat, light, mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear).
II.I.II.2 Understand that heat energy can be transferred through conduction, radiation and convection.
II.I.II.3 Know that there are many forms of energy transfer but that the total amount of energy is conserved (i.e., that
energy is neither created nor destroyed).
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 3

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 4

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: October
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Mineral and rock cycle
1. Big Ideas
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state? How does energy change forms? Examples of energy transfers
2. Essential Questions in Earth’s systems?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I: (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
5-8 Benchmark I: Know the forms and properties of matter and how matter interacts.
II.I.I.2 Use properties to identify substances (e.g., for minerals: the hardness, streak, color, reactivity to acid, cleavage,
fracture).

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark II: Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces
shape Earth’s systems.
II.III.II.3 Know that sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks contain evidence of the materials, temperatures, and
forces that created them.
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 5

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 6

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: November
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Fossils
1. Big Ideas Fossil fuels
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas
Geologic time scale
Weathering
Erosion.
What is an adaptation? When is it an adaptation or an evolution? What kind of factors lead to each?
2. Essential Questions
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD II: (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the
Power Standards:
interdependence of living thing and their environments.
Italicized and highlighted in 5-8 Benchmark I: Explain the diverse structure and functions of living things and the complex relationships between
yellow. living things and their environments.
II.II.I.3 Describe how organisms have adapted to various environmental conditions.
5-8 Benchmark II: Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how species evolve.
II.II.II.1 Understand that the fossil record provides data for how living organisms have evolved.
II.II.II.2 Describe how species have responded to changing environmental conditions over time (e.g., extinction,
adaptation).
5-8 Benchmark III: Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.
II.II.III.1 Explain how fossil fuels were formed from animal and plant cells.
II.II.III.2 Describe the differences between substances that were produces by living organisms (e.g., fossil fuels) and
substances that result from nonliving processes (e.g., igneous rocks).

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark II: Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces
shape Earth’s systems.
II.III.II.7 Know that landforms are created and change through a combination of constructive and destructive forces,
including: weathering of rock and soil, transportation, deposition of sediment, and tectonic activity, similarities and
differences between current and past processes on Earth’s surface (e.g., erosion, plate tectonics, changes in
atmospheric composition).
II.III.II.8 Understand the history of Earth and how information about it comes from layer of sedimentary rock,
6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 7
 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
including: sediments and fossils as a record of a very slow changing world, evidence of asteroid impact, and volcanic
and glacial activity.

4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 8

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: December
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Landforms
1. Big Ideas Structure of the earth
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas
Plate tectonics
Volcanoes and earthquakes.
What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state? How does energy change forms? Examples of energy transfers
2. Essential Questions in Earth’s systems?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
Power Standards:
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Italicized and highlighted in 5-8 Benchmark II: Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
yellow. II.I.II.4 Understand that some energy travels as waves (e.g., seismic, light, sound), including: vibrations of matter (e.g.,
sound, earthquakes), and different speeds through different materials.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD II: (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the
interdependence of living thing and their environments.
5-8 Benchmark I: Explain the diverse structure and functions of living things and the complex relationships between
living things and their environments.
II.II.I.2 Describe how weather and geologic events (e.g., volcanoes, earthquakes) affect the function of living systems.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark II: Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces
shape Earth’s systems.
II.III.II.1 Know that Earth is composed of layers that include a crust, mantle, and core.
II.III.II.2 Know that Earth’s crust is divided into plates that move very slowly, in response to movements in the mantle.
II.III.II.3 Know that sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks contain evidence of the materials, temperatures, and
forces that created them.
II.III.II.7 Know that landforms are created and change through a combination of constructive and destructive forces,
including: weathering of rock and soil, transportation, deposition of sediment, and tectonic activity, and similarities
and differences between current and past processes on Earth’s surface (e.g., erosion, plate tectonics, changes in
6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 9
 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
atmospheric composition)
II.III.II.8 Understand the history of Earth and how information about it comes from layer of sedimentary rock,
including: sediments and fossils as a record of a very slow changing world, and evidence of asteroid impact, volcanic
and glacial activity.
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 10

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: January
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Atmosphere
1. Big Ideas Weather
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas
Water cycle
Life standards
How does our atmosphere compare with that of other planets? What factors influence our weather and climate? How
2. Essential Questions are living things influenced by their environments?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark II: Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
Italicized and highlighted in II.I.II.1 Identify various types of energy (e.g., heat, light, mechanical, electrical, chemical, nuclear).
yellow. II.I.II.4 Understand that some energy travels as waves (e.g., seismic, light, sound), including: the sun as source of
energy for many processes on Earth, and different wavelengths of sunlight (e.g., visible, ultraviolet, infrared)

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD II: (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the
interdependence of living thing and their environments.
5-8 Benchmark I: Explain the diverse structure and functions of living things and the complex relationships between
living things and their environments.
II.II.I.1 Understand how organisms interact with their physical environments to meet their needs (i.e., food, water, air)
and how the water cycle is essential to most living systems.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark II: Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces
shape Earth’s systems.
II.III.II.4 Describe the composition (i.e., nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor) and strata of Earth’s atmosphere, and
differences between the atmosphere of Earth and those of other planets.
II.III.II.5 Understand factors that create and influence weather and climate, including: heat, air movement, pressure,
humidity, oceans, how clouds form by condensation of water vapor, how weather patterns are related to atmospheric
pressure, global patterns of atmospheric movement (e.g., El Nino), and factors that can impact Earth’s climate (e.g.,
6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 11
 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
volcanic eruptions, impacts of asteroids, glaciers).
II.III.II.6 Understand how to use weather maps and data (e.g., barometric pressure, wind speeds, humidity) to predict
weather.
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 12

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: February
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Motions of earth/moon
1. Big Ideas Seasons
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

What are the predictable patterns of the Sun-Earth-Moon? What types of stars are there?
2. Essential Questions
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark III: Describe and explain forces that produce motion in objects.
Italicized and highlighted in II.I.III.1 Know that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object dependent on the masses and distance
yellow. of separation (e.g., motions of celestial objects, tides).
II.I.III.2 Know that gravitational force is hard to detect unless one of the objects (e.g., Earth) has a lot of mass.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark I: Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed
behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
II.III.I.4 Know that the regular and predictable motions of the Earth-moon-sun system explain phenomena on Earth
including: Earth’s motion in relation to a year, a day, the seasons, the phases of the moon, eclipses, tides, and
shadows, and moon’s orbit around Earth once in 28 days in relation to the phases of the moon.
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 13

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 14

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: March
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Components of the solar system
1. Big Ideas
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

How do objects in our solar system move relative to one another?

2. Essential Questions How can we detect different forms of energy?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark II: Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
Italicized and highlighted in II.I.II.4 Understand that some energy travels as waves (e.g., seismic, light, sound), including: the sun as source of
yellow. energy for many processes on Earth, different wavelengths of sunlight (e.g., visible, ultraviolet, infrared), vibrations of
matter (e.g., sound, earthquakes), and different speeds through different materials.
5-8 Benchmark III: Describe and explain forces that produce motion in objects.
II.I.III.1 Know that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object dependent on the masses and distance
of separation (e.g., motions of celestial objects, tides).
II.I.III.2 Know that gravitational force is hard to detect unless one of the objects (e.g., Earth) has a lot of mass.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark I: Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed
behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
II.III.I.2 Locate the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy.
II.III.I.3 Identify the components of the solar system, and describe their defining characteristics and motions in space
including: sun as a medium sized star, sun’s composition (i.e., hydrogen, helium) and energy production, and nine
planets, their moons, asteroids.
4. Assessments

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 15

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 16

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: April
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
Beyond the solar system
1. Big Ideas
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

How can energy, matter and forces be used to learn about the objects in our universe?
2. Essential Questions
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy,
and the interactions between matter and energy.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark III: Describe and explain forces that produce motion in objects.
Italicized and highlighted in II.I.III.1 Know that every object exerts gravitational force on every other object dependent on the masses and distance
yellow. of separation (e.g., motions of celestial objects, tides).
II.I.III.2 Know that gravitational force is hard to detect unless one of the objects (e.g., Earth) has a lot of mass.

STRAND II: Content of Science

STANDARD III: (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe,
the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.
5-8 Benchmark I: Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed
behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
II.III.I.1 Describe the objects in the universe, including: billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars, different
sizes, temperatures, and colors of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 17

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 18

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science

Month: May
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS
How we adapt and interact to our environment. Abiotic and biotic factors that affect living organisms
1. Big Ideas
Student answers to EQs that
lead them to the Big Ideas

What is an adaptation? When is it an adaptation or an evolution? What kind of factors lead to each?
2. Essential Questions How do living things depend upon and interact with their environments?
Questions that lead students to
Big Ideas.

STRAND II: Content of Science

3. Performance Standards STANDARD II: (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the
interdependence of living thing and their environments.
Power Standards: 5-8 Benchmark III: Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.
Italicized and highlighted in II.II.III.1 Explain how fossil fuels were formed from animal and plant cells.
yellow. II.II.III. 2 Describe the differences between substances that were produced by living organisms (e.g., fossil fuels) and
substances that result from nonliving processes (e.g., igneous rocks).

STRAND III: Science and Society

STANDARD I: Understand how scientific discoveries, inventions, practices, and knowledge influence, and are
influenced by, individuals and societies.
5-8 Benchmark I: Explain how scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies.
III.I.I.1. Examine the role of scientific knowledge in decisions (e.g., space exploration, what to eat, preventive medicine
and medical treatment).
III.I.I.2. Describe the technologies responsible for revolutionizing information processing and communications (e.g.,
computers, cellular phones, Internet).
4. Assessments

The Content (What students need to know – nouns), Skills (What students need to be able to do – verbs), Vocabulary List (Words students need to know to
understand concepts), Learning Activities/Lesson Plans (Essential Experiences or Guided Practice), and Resources
ARE THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SITE.
Refer to OPD, C&A, and RDA Websites
5. Content Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Nouns (What students need
to know)

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 19

 APS District Curriculum Map + Power Standards Grade Level: 6 Course /Subject: Science
6. Skills Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Verbs (What students need to
be able to do)
7. Vocabulary List (Words Optional – to be completed at the school site.
students need to know to
understand concepts)
8. Learning Optional – to be completed at the school site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
(Essential Experiences or
Guided Practices)
9. Resources Optional – to be completed at the school site.

6th Grade Science September 1, 2009-10 Final 20