Grade 6 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 science in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Multicellular organisms rely on internal systems to survive, reproduce, and interact with their environment.
- Everyday materials are often mixtures.
- Newton's three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion.
- The solar system is part of the Milky Way, which is one of billions of galaxies.
Easy ways to practise 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
Body Systems
How the nervous and endocrine (hormone) systems send messages, how the excretory system removes waste, and the basic organs of the reproductive system, all at a simple organ-and-job level.
Mixtures & Solutions
Telling pure substances from mixtures, mechanical mixtures from solutions, solutes and solvents, comparing concentration, and choosing separation methods like filtering, evaporation, magnets and distillation.
Newton's Laws
Inertia (1st law), force = mass × acceleration (2nd law) and action–reaction pairs (3rd law), with everyday examples and a few simple calculations.
Gravity & Friction
Working out net force, telling balanced from unbalanced forces, mass versus weight on the Moon and other planets, and when friction helps or causes problems.
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.
Galaxies & Space Tech
Our place in the Milky Way, light-years and other galaxies, telescopes, satellites and Canadian space technology, and how Indigenous peoples have observed and shared knowledge of the sky.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- 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 BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 6 child with science?
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.
What does my child learn in Grade 6 science in BC?
The BC Curriculum Grade 6 science units include body systems, mixtures & solutions, newton's laws, gravity & friction, our solar system, galaxies & space tech.
Free printable Grade 6 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.