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Revised 8/21/14 v1

Grade 6 Science: Earth Systems




When we contemplate
the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying
through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe
appears as an infinite storm of beauty.
John Muir

The Grade 6 science curriculum focuses on Earth Science with an emphasis on the
environment. We also benefit from the collection and analysis of data from local habitats,
including our own garden. Prioritizing a multidisciplinary approach to learning, we include the
applications of math, engineering, and technology to design STEM projects throughout the year.
We incorporate performance expectations from the Next Generation Science Standards. Within
those standards, we build a foundation in eight Science and Engineering Practices:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Students do not rely on a textbook for science. Instead, we rely on a variety of print and internet-
based resources to support our classwork. These are provided for the students and
documented each week on the class website: http://stevensonstem.weebly.com/grade-6-
science. In class, each student maintains a science journal that becomes a masterpiece of
thought, inquiry, investigation and illustration that will set the stage for a future of critical
thinking, collaboration, and pride in ones work.


With kind regards and a warm welcome,
Kirsten Matsumoto
cell 601-4132; work 574-4636
kmatsumoto@stevensonschool.org;
http://stevensonstem.weebly.com/grade-6-science
Thoughts on assessment:
In my role as a facilitator of your childs learning, I have an opportunity to bring out the curiosity and
sense of wonder in each student. My primary focus is on science as individual exploration and inquiry.
There will be few, if any, tests in the traditional sense. Class contributions, self-evaluation, and
homework become significant indicators of your childs understanding. I select each homework
assignment to ensure your childs constructive and confident participation in class, i.e. pre-reading a
text, previewing a video for a Harkness discussion, or obtaining household items for independent
variables in garden experiments. If your child is absent, please encourage him/her to ask me about
make up work upon returning to school.

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