Mrs. Bouffard 

 

1st Quarter Curriculum
Students in 6th grade will be studying earth science. In the first 9 weeks we will reinforce science process skills and the scientific method. We will study the properties and phases of matter as well as minerals and rocks and the earth’s role in their formation. Topics will be enhanced by labs, simulations, product production, and creative problem solving. All labs will be designed to use an inquiry approach incorporating science process skills and the scientific method.

Students will also choose a science fair project and begin the initial stages of research for their project by identifying a problem and gathering information.

2nd Quarter Curriculum
Sixth grade will have a working understanding of the scientific method and the process skills that support scientific inquiry. They will investigate the physical and chemical properties of matter, the basic structure of an atom, and the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures. They will practice using metric units of length, determine mass, and explore the concept of density.

In the second nine weeks we will put this to use as we observe and compare the physical properties of minerals and rocks. We will study their formation and classify them according to their composition and the manner in which they formed. An underlying understanding of the rock cycle as a continuous dynamic process will be stressed. We will also study Earth’s resources. This will include both renewable and nonrenewable resources as we explore responsible usage and our economic future.  

Students will continue working on their science fair project, testing the hypothesis and analyzing the results.


3rd Quarter Curriculum
Sixth grade science students begin the third nine weeks studying plate tectonics and the theory of continental drift.   We will study the theory of seafloor spreading and recognize how age and magnetic clues support this theory.  Students will also compare and contrast different types of plate boundaries. We will then study earthquakes and the forces that cause them.  We will discuss how earthquake energy travels in seismic waves, along with studying the structure of earth’s interior.

Students will finish their science fair projects by drawing conclusions and work on their presentation and tri-fold.  The science fair will be held during this quarter.  Students will prepare for the fair with assigned questions asked that demonstrate full knowledge of the scientific method and experimental design.  Winners  will attend the Archdiocese Science Fair.

4th Quarter Curriculum
In this quarter we will study volcanoes.  We will identify the relationship between volcanoes and plate movement, and then classify volcanoes by their eruptions and lava types.  Students will be assigned a type of volcano, research, create, erupt and analyze lava flow

Sixth grade will complete our study of geological time. Students will list conditions for fossils to form. They will describe methods used to assign relative age and absolute age to these fossils and be able to explain how geologic time can be divided into unit. We will learn about Earth's formative years and the specie that adapted and evolved as they try to meet their needs and inhabit the planet.