6th Grade Earth Unit

Big Idea:

  • How and why is Earth constantly changing?

Unifying Unit Concepts:

  • Scientists have discovered evidence/patterns of specific Systems/Cycles that interact on Earth to support life.
  • Scientists use tools of Models/Maps/diagrams to explain and understand the evidence.
  • Water is the most important resource to supporting life on Earth.
  • Water shapes the landscape of our world.

Sub Topic 1:Five major systems exist on Earth and interact to support life.

Big Idea: How do Earth’s major systems interact?

  • Lithosphere (weathering and erosion)
  • Hydrosphere
  • Crynosphere (weathering and erosion)
  • Atmosphere
  • Biosphere (living things)

Sub Topic 2:The Earth is know as the water planet, it has 1 moon and an energy source called the sun.

Big Idea: What are the predictable patterns caused by Earth’s movement in the Solar System?

  • Earth revolves in space around our energy source, the Sun.
  • 3rd planet from the Sun
  • Causes natural phenomena of Eclipses and seasons
  • Distance from the Sun allows it to be the only planet with water
  • Amount of water on Earth and where did we get water?

Sub Topic 3:The interaction of the Earth and Moon cause changes to our oceans (water)

Big Idea: How and why are the oceans constantly changing?

  • Gravity
  • Tides
  • Moon Phases

Sub Topic 4:There are 4 cycles that interact that need to remain in balance to support life.

Big Idea: How do the properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface and affect its systems?

  • Carbon Cycle
  • Nitrogen Cycle
  • Water Cycle
  • Rock Cycle

Sub Topic 5:Water is Earth’s most unique feature supporting life.

Big Idea: How is water essential for the Earth as we know it?

  • Universal solvent (dissolves most things)
  • Dissolves sediments and shapes landscapes
  • Supports chemical reactions (on cellular level)
  • Creates diversity of life to exist in different places, spreads out life (living things)

Sub Topic 6:Weathering and erosion (by water and ice) fuel the rock cycle causing change to our Earth surface over time.

Bit Idea: How do the properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface and affect its systems?

Big Idea: How do people construct and date events in Earth’s planetary history?

  • Rock cycle
  • Rock Types/formation/location
  • Reveals evidence of Earth’s past (fossil)
  • Rock record

Sub Topic 7:Scientist use tools to study how water cause change to our Earth’s surface.

Big Idea: The properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface.How to scientists model this?

  • Build models and create scientific diagrams
  • Topographic maps (water drainage)
  • Maps need to be changed over time because water weathers and erodes surface of Earth.