Teaching and Learning

Matter and Energy
In sixth grade, students are introduced to matter, energy, and their interactions. Students learn the structure of matter (atoms) and explore the relationships between particle motion, energy, and states of matter. Students also investigate how physical and chemical changes to matter impact the matter and energy of a system. Students observe that the mass of a system remains constant even when changes make it seem like matter "disappears".

The Dynamic Earth
Students begin with an investigation of the forces that shape Earth's surface, including weathering, erosion, and deposition. Students explore how matter cycles during fast and slow changes to Earth's surface, and how Earth's strata tell a story of Earth's history, climate, and life. Students learn about Earth's history and the methods scientists use to piece together that story. To understand how natural resources are distributed and limited, students study the properties of rocks and minerals. They also learn about Earth's structure, and the internal processes that account for its important external features and major geologic events. Many of these topics will be reinforced by experiencing the natural geology of southeastern Missouri while students are at Sixth Grade Camp.

Ecology I
All things are connected and affected by each other. Students explore the many interactions that result in the diversity of populations, communities and ecosystems. First, they will distinguish between abiotic and biotic factors in the environment. From there, they discover that many variables affect the size of each level of organization. Finally, students use trophic pyramids to show how matter and energy flow through the biosphere.