*Note: This is the second (spring) semester of 6th grade science. It is not necessary that a learner attended first semester (fall) to attend and be successful in this class.*

This semester long, hands-on and interactive class, will provide learners with continuity in classmates. This allows learners to build relationships and collaborate while learning. Class time will be spent engaging in direct instruction with the teacher, demonstrations, hands-on activities and experiments, learner sharing and questioning, projects and group work. I use the Zoom whiteboard feature, the Zoom chat box feature and Zoom break-out rooms*.  My teaching style is relaxed and inclusive. I encourage learner participation and questions. The classroom is 'ours' not 'mine'. Learners will have many opportunities to interact with me and their classmates each week.

Sixth grade science topics taught in this second semester class include:
1. Space Science-Weeks 1-3
2. Biology-Weeks 4-12
3. Engineering Design-Incorporated throughout the semester. 

The Next Generation Science Standards (nextgenscience.org) will be used to guide course instruction and ensure learners have the needed skills for 7th grade. Through the course of the academic year, first and second semester, all Next Generation Science Standards for sixth grade will be taught and practiced. 

In keeping with the Next Generation Science standards, science and engineering practices along with crosscutting concepts will be incorporated as learners participate in class. For example, when learners study the lunar cycles as part of space science they will create a model to represent the lunar cycles (engineering). They will construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems (crosscutting concept). There will be use of reading, writing and math as learners study the standards. 

Specific weekly objectives for this course:

Week 1: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases. 
Week 2: Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe eclipses of the sun and moon. 
Week 3: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system (egg drop).
Week 4:  Investigate to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells. *Teacher created charts and illustrations will be used during investigation. The class will work together to create new resources during the investigation. The created materials will be property of the classroom and will not reflect the work of others.*
Week 5: Understand that there are many types of living cells. 
Week 6:  Understand bacteria and virus cells and how they differ from other cells. 
Week 7: Engage in class instruction to learn the structure and function of animals cells.
Week 8: Engage in class instruction to learn the structure and function of plant cells.
Week 9: Crosscutting Concept: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a plant cell as a whole and the ways the parts of plant cells contribute to the function.
Week 10: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem. *Data was created by the teacher to be used in class. The data is the property of the teacher. *
Week 11: Complete work from week 14 and allow time for questions, sharing, findings. 
Week 12: Review cells and celebrate an amazing semester. 

*Notification of break-out room utilization will be provided in advance of the specific class weeks where they will be used.