Grade 6 Earth & Space Science Activities and Resources

ESS.8.6.1

Identify and diagram the layers of the Earth:

• crust
• mantle
• inner and outer core

ESS.8.6.2

Model the layers of the Earth

ESS.8.6.3

Model how convection currents in the mantle affect lithosphere movement

ESS.8.6.4

Conduct investigations to identify the variables within volcanoes that cause different types of eruptions

ESS.8.6.5

Diagram and explain how volcanoes work

ESS.8.6.6

Explain how volcanic activity relates to mountain formation

ESS.8.6.7

Connect short-term changes in climate with volcanic activity

ESS.8.6.8

Compare and contrast the different land forms caused by Earth’s internal forces:

• mountains
• plateaus
• trenches
• islands

ESS.8.6.9

Research local, regional, and state landforms created by internal forces in the earth:

• Ozark Plateau
• Crater of Diamonds
• Ouachita Mountains
• New Madrid Fault

ESS.8.6.10

Identify the effects of earthquakes on Earth’s surface:

·         tsunamis

·         floods

·         changes in natural and man-made structures

ESS.8.6.11

Investigate and map patterns of earthquake and volcanic activity

ESS.8.6.12

Locate earthquake belts on Earth:

• Mediterranean-Trans-Asiatic
• Circum-Pacific (Ring of Fire)

ESS.8.6.13

Analyze how earthquake occurrences are recorded (seismograph) and measured (Richter scale)

ESS.8.6.14

Model the effect of major geological events on land and ocean features:

• mountain building
• ocean trenches
• island formation
• mid-ocean ridges

ESS.8.6.15

ESS.9.6.1

Research methods of determining geologic time:

• fossil records
• mountain building
• rock sequencing

ESS.9.6.2

Model rock layer sequencing based on characteristics of fossils

ESS.9.6.3

Analyze evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics:

·         matching coastlines

·         similar rock types

·         fossil record

ESS.10.6.1

Explain how planets seem to wander against the background of the stars

ESS.10.6.2

Compare the distance of the following:

• from the sun to Earth (light minutes)

• from the next nearest star to Earth (light years)

ESS.10.6.3

Describe how astronomers measure distance to stars

ESS.10.6.4

Calculate the rate at which we would have to travel to other stars and planets in our solar system using current technology

ESS.10.6.5

Explain the effect of the sun on comets

ESS.10.6.6

Compare and contrast comets, meteors, and asteroids by

• size

• orbits
• nucleus
• mass

ESS.10.6.7

Model moon phases demonstrating the position of Earth, moon, and sun

ESS.10.6.8

Compare and contrast solar eclipse and lunar eclipse

ESS.10.6.9