6th grade Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in 6th grade science in the Alabama Course of Study, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Earth and Space Science: the sun, Earth and moon, the solar system, rocks and plate tectonics, weather and resources
- Science and engineering practices: analyzing data and building models
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
Easy ways to practice science at home
- Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?”
- Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives.
- Look up how a household machine works, such as a bike gear, a lamp or a fridge.
- Have your child draw and label a diagram of something they just learned.
What each unit covers
Our Solar System
The planets in order, rocky versus giant planets, reading a table of planet data, moons, dwarf planets, comets and the asteroid belt.
Solar System Tour
Practices the properties, locations and movements of objects in the solar system (the Sun, planets, moons, meteors, asteroids, comets, the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud), how gravity governs their motion, and what makes Earth able to support life.
Stars, Galaxies & the Universe
Practices the life cycle of stars and classifying stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies and where our solar system sits in the Milky Way, and the evidence (such as galaxies moving apart and leftover radiation) for the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe.
Stars & the Universe
Practices how fusion in the sun's core makes the energy that reaches Earth, the life cycles of stars and the elements they make, and the evidence for the Big Bang: galaxies moving apart, leftover microwave radiation and the mix of elements.
The Rock Cycle
How igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks form and change into one another, weathering and erosion, and a short reading passage.
Managing Resources
Practices why resource management matters for reducing energy poverty, malnutrition, and air and water pollution around the world, and how conservation, efficiency and technology help manage air, water, soil and energy resources.
Weather Systems
Your child explains how the sun's energy moves water through the water cycle and uses weather data to predict changes and severe weather, such as Alabama's tornadoes and hurricanes.
Climate & Climate Change
Your child explains how the sun, air, land and water affect climate and how human activities affect Earth's systems, with examples from Alabama.
Earth's Changing Surface
Your child explains how moving plates build mountains and how weathering and erosion wear them down over time.
Earth's History & Fossils
Your child uses rock layers and fossils to put events in Earth's long history in order.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alabama report card guide.
Common questions
Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?” Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Alabama Course of Study 6th grade science units include Our Solar System, Solar System Tour, Stars, Galaxies & the Universe, Stars & the Universe, The Rock Cycle, Managing Resources.
Free printable 6th grade science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.