Science — Grade 6

Zoo integrated unit

The unit uses the North Carolina Zoological Park as a teaching tool rather than as a nice place to visit. It can be used by a single teacher or multiple teachers of different subjects, and it is aimed at 7th and 8th graders.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)

By Craig Smith.

A population and a biome

This activity will introduce students to the use of laptop computers. Students will participate in a unit on ecosystems using the Microsoft programs Excel and PowerPoint.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Computer/Technology Skills and Science)

By Ronald Cross.

Classroom food web

This lesson is to demonstrate which organisms feed on one another and how food webs are created.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

By Kurt Oswald.

Resources on the web

Yellowstone wolves

The purpose of this lesson is to use the Internet to explore relationships between habitats and species (specifically the gray wolf and those species with which it must coexist) as well as the effect of physical and human forces on living things and their... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

WWII tree disease

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the debate over the unintended consequences of military invasions. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Working together for the manatee

In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will use the Internet to research the manatee to find out why it is endangered. They will write speeches they might give to boaters who are interested in helping to protect the manatee. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Working to Save Endangered Species

Students view an online presentation about endangered species, then role-play a debate about spotted owl protection from the point of view of lumber workers, environmental activists, and government and scientific interests. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Why preserve biodiversity?

In this lesson from the National Geographic Xpeditions website, students discuss the importance of maintaining ecosystems and find out about the various arguments that people make in favor of preserving the Earth's biodiversity. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Why civilizations fall

In this lesson, part of a two-lesson series from Science NetLinks, students find out about the social changes that caused the collapse of important ancient civilizations in Central America, Mesopotamia, the southwestern United States, and western Africa. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Why Are Species Endangered?

This lesson introduces and explores the various issues and problems faced by endangered species globally. Following a webquest-style format, students will research the plight of endangered species; create a poster of a selected animal; and present their poster,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Sea surface temperature and coral bleaching

Students will determine the anatomy of coral bleaching by drawing conclusions from a teacher demonstration, identify temperature increase as one cause of coral bleaching by observing a teacher demonstration, and predict general areas likely to be affected... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: NOAA Coral Reef Watch

Research and conservation: Doing the legwork

Students learn about the ways in which geographical studies can be put to practical use, such as in helping to preserve the rain forest. Students will think about the importance of counting and studying all the species in an ecosystem, such as the Congo River... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Postcards from the edge: Endangered species

Students learn about endangered species in the United States, some of the reasons they are endangered (e.g. habitat destruction or the introduction of invasive species), and what is being done to protect them. Students will choose one species to focus on and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Phytoplankton and ocean color

Students will identify function of phytoplankton in the biosphere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. Students will also detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean color in satellite images... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: NOAA Coral Reef Watch

Passenger pigeons: Nomads lost

This Science NetLinks lesson is aimed at helping students understand the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the passenger pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Night lights

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear why bright nighttime lights could be bad for women's health. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Microclimate in the schoolyard

Students learn about the characteristics of prairie habitats, examining the microclimate-climatic conditions in a relatively small area in their schoolyard and comparing these conditions to those of prairie communities. They will then determine how their own... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Mass extinction

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that may cast doubt on the belief that a giant asteroid wiped out most of life on earth almost 250 million years ago. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Invasive species

In this Xpeditions lesson, students investigate species relocation and the effect it has on the environment. They then outline arguments for and against human manipulation of other species. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Fish and flowers

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that compared the flora around ponds with fish to the flora around ponds without fish. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science