Grade 6 Earth & Space Science Activities and Resources

Linked to Grade 6 Arkansas Science Frameworks

(VIDEO resources are provided by United Streaming through the "Arkansas Ideas" web site. The service is free for teachers in Arkansas but registration is required to create a user name and password.)

Framework	Lesson/Activity	Web Resources	Questions MC = Multiple Choice OR = Open Response
ESS.8.6.1 Identify and diagram the layers of the Earth: crust mantle inner and outer core	Earth Animations	DLESE - Digital Library for Earth System Education Mr. Ware's Sixth Grade Classroom (Lots of GREAT Links) Prentice Hall Science
ESS.8.6.2 Model the layers of the Earth	Earth Animations	Earth Science - Internet 4 Classrooms
ESS.8.6.3 Model how convection currents in the mantle affect lithosphere movement	Earth Animations Plate Tectonics - Earth Science Lessons - Science Spot	Plate Tectonics - "Discovering Plate Boundaries" - Rice University Plate Tectonics - "The Dynamic Earth" - USGS
ESS.8.6.4 Conduct investigations to identify the variables within volcanoes that cause different types of eruptions	Volcano Models - AAAS	America's Volcanic Past - Arkansas - USGS
ESS.8.6.5 Diagram and explain how volcanoes work	Earth Animations Volcano Models - AAAS
ESS.8.6.6 Explain how volcanic activity relates to mountain formation	Volcano Models - AAAS	Old Faithful Web Cam
ESS.8.6.7 Connect short-term changes in climate with volcanic activity		Climate Change Student Guide - ARIC World Climate
ESS.8.6.8 Compare and contrast the different land forms caused by Earth’s internal forces: mountains plateaus trenches islands		Arkansas and other States - Landsat 7 Images - USGS Birth of the Mountains - USGS Plate Tectonics - "Discovering Plate Boundaries" - Rice University Rockhounding Arkansas Southern Appalachians: FREE Teacher's Guide
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	Natural Divisions of Arkansas - Department of Arkansas Heritage	Arkansas and other States - Landsat 7 Images - USGS Arkansas - FREE Vacation Kit (Order for AR. Science Adventure) Arkansas Geological Commission FREE Teacher Packet - AGC
ESS.8.6.10 Identify the effects of earthquakes on Earth’s surface: tsunamis floods changes in natural and man-made structures	Earthquake Safety Tips - Humboldt State University Impact of Natural Hazards Around the World Natural Hazards: Same Forces, Different Impacts	Natural Hazards Data - NOAA
ESS.8.6.11 Investigate and map patterns of earthquake and volcanic activity		Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics - USGS World Atlas World-wide Earthquake Locator - Edinburg Earth Observatory
ESS.8.6.12 Locate earthquake belts on Earth: Mediterranean-Trans-Asiatic Circum-Pacific (Ring of Fire)		Earthquakes - 42eXplore
ESS.8.6.13 Analyze how earthquake occurrences are recorded (seismograph) and measured (Richter scale)	Earth Animations - How a Seismograph Works	Earthquakes - 42eXplore
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	Ocean Currents - UT Life Along the Faultline - Exploratorium	Earth Animations Plate Tectonics - "Discovering Plate Boundaries" - Rice University
ESS.8.6.15 Investigate careers, scientists, and historical breakthroughs related to internal forces that change the Earth		CAREERS Earth & Life Sciences - PBS Emerging Careers - Video Environmental Careers Environmental Science - DLESE
ESS.9.6.1 Research methods of determining geologic time: fossil records mountain building rock sequencing	Hollywood Dinosaurs - AAAS Learn to Think Like an Archeologist - AAAS Microfossils: The Ocean's Storytellers	Geomagnetic Field Questions Geomagnetism How Environmental Changes May Alter the Evolution of Species - TrackStar Jewel of the Earth - NOVA Palioclimatology - NOAA Paleoshoreline Research Prehistoric Life - BBC	Fossil Evidence #45 (MC) - NAEP
ESS.9.6.2 Model rock layer sequencing based on characteristics of fossils		Climate and Earth History - Paleomap Project - Christopher Scotese
ESS.9.6.3 Analyze evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics: matching coastlines similar rock types fossil record	Earth's Magnetic Field - NASA Continental Drift - UT Creating Custom Maps - EET Model of Sea Floor Spreading Nanofossils Reveal Seafloor Spreading Truth Paleomagnetism Plate Tectonics Activity	Magnetic Field of Earth Magnetic Fields - NASA Magnetic Reversal Animation Magnetic Storm - NOVA Ocean Floor Mapping - USGS When Compasses Point South - NOVA When the Earth Moves: Seafloor Spreading and Plate Tectonics	Satellite Uses #23 (OR) - NAEP
ESS.10.6.1 Explain how planets seem to wander against the background of the stars	Wandering Planet	Astronomy Animations - "Universe" Astronomy - Tonight's Sky - HubbleSite Exploring the Solar System - AAAS Scientific Living - Movies - Wal-Mart Solar System - Nine (Eight) Planet Tour - Multimedia Tour by Bill Arnett Voyage Scale Model - Washington DC	Sun's Motion #28 (MC) - NAEP
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)	Sizing Up the Solar System - AAAS	Planets - Zoom Astronomy Scale Models of Solar System Scientific Living Solar System Exploration - NASA Stars (10 Brightest) - SPACE.COM
ESS.10.6.3 Describe how astronomers measure distance to stars	Parallax (Thumb Activity) - NASA	Astronomy Animations - Universe Parallax - Wikipedia Solar System Explorer (Gizmo) Trip Through the Solar System - TrackStar
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	Travel in the Solar System - NCTM	Scale Model Calculator Scale Models of Solar System Solar System Explorer (Gizmo) Wandering Planet
ESS.10.6.5 Explain the effect of the sun on comets		Astronomy Animations - Universe Comet Links Comets - Arnett Comets - NASA Comets - StarChild Comets - Windows to the Universe - UCAR
ESS.10.6.6 Compare and contrast comets, meteors, and asteroids by size orbits nucleus mass	Comet Animation - UCAR	Astronomy Animations - Universe Astronomy Web Sites Comets, Asteroids, Meteors - Dr. Pamela Gore Comets - NASA Views of the Solar System by Calvin Hamilton
ESS.10.6.7 Model moon phases demonstrating the position of Earth, moon, and sun	The Earth's Moon - Windows to the Universe Why Does the Shape of the Moon Seem to Change? - NASA (Click on "Activities")	Earth & Space Science - Learning Science
ESS.10.6.8 Compare and contrast solar eclipse and lunar eclipse	Solar & Lunar Eclipses - Dragonfly	Astronaut Photography of Earth - NASA Astronomy Animations - Universe Eclipse - NASA Lunar Eclipse - NASA Lunar Eclipses for Beginners - Mr. Eclipse Solar Eclipse - NASA Solar Eclipses for Beginners - Mr. Eclipse
ESS.10.6.9 Investigate careers, scientists, and historical breakthroughs related to the sun and space travel	Early Astronomers Exploration Systems - NASA Inventors & Innovators - AAAS Make a Mission - AAAS	Age of Invention - TrackStar Arkansas Academy of Space Science for Educators - High Altitude Balloon Cosmic Journey - A History of Scientific Cosmology Geoscience Careers NASA for Educators 100 Greatest Discoveries Origins - NOAA Sky Watching - AAAS Solar System News