MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Parent Resources

6 Grade Science Topic Highlights

2nd Nine Weeks Topics / Questions to ask your child
November
VI.  Landforms and changes to the Geosphere
A.  Weathering
B.  Erosion
C.  Deposition
D.  Types of Landforms
E.  Florida Landforms / / Landforms and Changes to the Geosphere
Question to learner: If you step outside of your house, can you identify natural processes that have occur to create landforms near you?
Sample Response: Landforms on Earth’s surface can change in various ways. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces. Examples can include tree roots that break up concrete and other structures, burrowing of animals into the Earth. Erosion is the movement of the weathered material. Examples can include the movement of beach sand along coastlines, soil or debris to other locations due to rain, wind or gravity. Where these weathered materials are finally dropped off is called deposition. Combinations of these factors (weathering, erosion and deposition) over long periods of time can create many landforms including coastlines, dunes, rivers, glaciers, deltas and lakes. Other landforms such as mountains are formed through other processes.
November – December
VII.  Transformation between Potential and Kinetic Energy
A.  Potential Energy
B.  Kinetic Energy
C.  Law of Conservation of Energy / / Transformation between Potential and Kinetic Energy
Question to learner:
When a ball is dropped, why does it eventually stop bouncing?
Sample Response:
The energy used to lift a ball stores energy in the ball. This potential energy has the ability to make the ball fall when it is dropped. Releasing the ball allows the potential energy to be transformed into kinetic energy, the energy of movement. As the ball falls the continuous pull from the force of gravity will cause the ball to speed up until it hits the floor. When the ball bounces up from the floor, the kinetic energy is transferred back into potential energy. Since the ball does not bounce back to 100% of its original height, it is left with less potential energy. This is because there is a transfer of energy from the ball into other forms when it hits the floor. Small amounts of sound and heat energy are released when the ball hits the floor. With each bounce, more and more energy is transferred from the ball until it comes to a stop.
December – January
VIII.  Motion of Objects
A.  Measuring Speed and Distance
B.  Constructing and Analyzing Distance versus Time Graphs / / Motion of Objects
Question to learner: Considering the graph of Marie’s trip to work, describe Marie’s motion as she traveled from home (point A) to work (point F) during each segment of the graph (A to B, B to C, C to D, etc.)
Sample Response: The motion of an object can be described by its direction of motion and speed. Speed describes the distance an object has traveled over position over a period of time. In Marie’s case, she left her house, but turned around to go back home after 5 minutes (point B). After 10 minutes, Marie was back home (point C) and ready to leave her house. After leaving for the 2nd time, Marie is now driving slower than before. I know this because the graph is less steep (or has a lower slope). 15 minutes into her 2nd trip (25 minutes of total travel time) Marie stopped for 5 minutes. This is seen as a horizontal line from point D to point E where her distance from home stayed the same. Finally, Marie continued her way to work, driving faster than any other time during her trip. This is seen by the very steep (high slope) line from point E to point F.
January
IX.  Types of Forces
A.  Contact Forces
B.  Forces Acting at a Distance / / Types of Forces
Question to learner: How many different types of forces can you find and describe being used in the kitchen?
Sample Response: Forces push and pull on objects. Some forces push or pull by physical contact. Other forces push or pull an object without touching it. Forces that are applied through physical contact include friction (that slows things down including air resistance) and applied force. Non-contact forces include gravity, magnetic, and electric force. Using a refrigerator as an example, many forms of energy can be observed. Gravity is pulling the refrigerator down. Electrical energy is being used to keep the food inside cold. Many refrigerators use magnets to hold the doors closed or you might have magnets holding items to the refrigerator (like the ones picture to the left). Many kitchen tools and appliances also apply forces directly such as a can opener being used to cut open a can.

Division of Academics – Department of Science

November-January Topic Highlights Page 1 of 2