Science — Grade 6

Lesson plans on the web

Antibacterial pollution

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the potential environmental effects of common household products. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cities Are Urban Ecosystems

Students will be introduced to the study of ecosystems and models that are used by urban ecologists. The class will be invited to visit websites to see where the cities are on the planet, and they will have a chance to try some hands-on urban nature education activities. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cities as Population Centers

Students will visit websites that deal with urban population, fossil fuel consumption, and the signals (such as carbon dioxide emissions) that can be used to track population changes. Students then create a “letter to the grandkids,” which will tell the grandkids how important fossil fuels were to the growth of cities. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Disappearing fish

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about why the world's biggest fish are in serious jeopardy. Commercial fishing has decimated the numbers and sizes of big fish like marlin, tuna, cod, and grouper, which in turn has changed the nature of ocean ecosystems. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Eavesdropping plants

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how some plants eavesdrop on their neighbors to find out how they're doing. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Food preservation

Students learn about food spoilage and the different methods that are traditionally used to prolong the freshness of food. (Learn more)

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

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Fuel-saving speed

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the ideal vehicle speed for the best fuel efficiency. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

In Defense of Cities

Students will learn about the concept of an ecological footprint and brainstorm the qualities and characteristics of what they might consider an excellent, livable community. The class will then create an oversized wall map of their local environment, decoerated with a border of colorful footprints. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: 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)

Provider: National Geographic

Metabolism of Urban Ecosystems

This lesson teaches students that most of the materials and energy used by a city come from outside the city boundaries. Students use various websites to investigate energy flow and nutrient cycles. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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 examine the reasons it is endangered, and why it is important to make an effort to save it. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

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 Basin. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Geographic

Sanitation and human health

The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to develop an understanding of the impact of improved sanitation on human health. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Too bright at night?

Students consider and discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of technology, as it relates to light pollution. They will discover that there are unintended consequences as well as benefits resulting from our ability to illuminate the night. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Wasted food

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study on food waste that indicates that households alone throw out about fifty billion dollars worth of food per year. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6 Science)

Provider: 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, research, and an advertising approach to the class. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Why Are There Cities? A Historical Perspective

This lesson looks at the conditions that led to the development of early cities, as well as some of the factors that caused the decline of early cities. (Learn more)

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

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science