Universe Cycle
SIXTH GRADE
4 week unit

1. Students should begin wondering and predicting how the Universe may have evolved.
2. Students should know the difference between astrology and astronomy.
3. Students should be able to classify and describe the components of the Universe.
4. Students should recognize that the Sun is made of layers and generates radiation.
5. Students should be able to describe the planets and some of their moons.
6. Students should be able to compare the terrestrial with the gaseous planets.
7. Students should understand the orbits of the planets.
8. Students should be able to compare the difference of weight on the different planets.
9. Students should be able to compare the motion and attraction of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
10. Students should know why we have different seasons.
11. Students should be able to integrate facts in literature.
12. Students should be familiar with using a topographic map.
13. Students should begin visualizing three dimensional objects from two dimensional.

WEEK 1.
PRE: Exploring how the Universe may have evolved.
LAB: Comparing the night sky with zodiac signs.
POST: Comparing the different components of the Universe.

SOLAR SYSTEM

WEEK 2.
PRE: Exploring the structure of our Sun.
LAB: Calculating the weight of objects on different planets.
POST: Exploring astronomical themes in songs.

EARTH

WEEK 3.
PRE: Comparing the motion of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
LAB: Discovering how the tilt of the axis causes the seasons.
POST: Analyzing literature with descriptions about Earth.

GEOGRAPHY

WEEK 4.
PRE: Discovering uses for maps.
LAB: Exploring military strategies using a map.
POST: Creating a three dimensional landscape.