Fresno Unified School District

Sixth Grade Science Curriculum Guide

Grade Six Science

The California Science Content Standards include Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science.   The science curriculum in grade six emphasizes the study of Earth sciences. Students at this age are increasing their awareness of the environment and are ready to learn more. The standards in grade six present many of the foundations of geology and geophysics, including plate tectonics and earth structure, topography, and energy. The material is linked to resource management and ecology, building on what students have learned in previous grades. Unless students take a high school earth science class, what they learn in grade six will be their foundation for Earth science literacy.

Please refer to specific pages in the Holt Science Teachers' Edition and Teacher Resources on CD for detailed information needed for lesson plan development. These resources will also provide references for recommended best practices and effective strategies to attain mastery of the Science Standards in Grade Six Science. 

Recommended minutes of instruction: 200 per week.