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Skills available for Virginia sixth-grade science standards

Standards are in black and IXL science skills are in dark green. Hold your mouse over the name of a skill to view a sample question. Click on the name of a skill to practice that skill.

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Virginia Standards of Learning: Grade Six: Our world; our responsibility Virginia Standards of Learning: Grade Six: Our world; our responsibility
Virginia Standards of Learning: Scientific and Engineering Practices Virginia Standards of Learning: Scientific and Engineering Practices

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ESS Earth and Space Systems

6.2 The student will investigate and understand that the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact. Key ideas include:
- 6.2.a matter is distributed throughout the solar system
- 6.2.b planets have different sizes and orbit at different distances from the sun
  - Analyze models of the Earth-Sun-Moon system (6-HH.1)
  - Analyze data to compare properties of planets (6-HH.7)
- 6.2.c gravity contributes to orbital motion
  - Gravity and its role in the universe (6-HH.)
- 6.2.d the understanding of the solar system has developed over time
6.3 The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Key ideas include:
- 6.3.a Earth has unique properties
- 6.3.b the rotation of Earth in relationship to the sun causes day and night
  - Day and night (6)
- 6.3.c the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon
  - Identify phases of the Moon (6-HH.3)
- 6.3.d Earth's tilt as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons
  - What causes the seasons on Earth? (6-HH.6)
- 6.3.e the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides

E Energy

6.4 The student will investigate and understand that there are basic sources of energy and that energy can be transformed. Key ideas include
- 6.4.a the sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth
- 6.4.b Earth's energy budget relates to living systems and Earth's processes
  - The greenhouse effect (6-EE.4)
- 6.4.c radiation, conduction, and convection distribute energy
- 6.4.d energy transformations are important in energy usage
  - How do plants use and change energy? (6-V.1)

M Matter

6.5 The student will investigate and understand that all matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include:
- 6.5.a atoms consist of particles, including electrons, protons, and neutrons
  - What are atoms and chemical elements? (6-E.1)
- 6.5.b atoms of a particular element are similar but differ from atoms of other elements
  - What are atoms and chemical elements? (6-E.1)
- 6.5.c elements may be represented by chemical symbols
  - How are substances represented by chemical formulas and models? (6-E.2)
- 6.5.d two or more atoms interact to form new substances, which are held together by electrical forces (bonds)
- 6.5.e compounds may be represented by chemical formulas
- 6.5.f chemical equations can be used to model chemical changes
- 6.5.g a few elements comprise the largest portion of the solid Earth, living matter, the oceans, and the atmosphere

ER Earth Resources

6.6 The student will investigate and understand that water has unique physical properties and has a role in the natural and human-made environment. Key ideas include:
- 6.6.a water is referred to as the universal solvent
- 6.6.b water has specific properties
- 6.6.c thermal energy has a role in phase changes
  - Label parts of water cycle diagrams (6-DD.2)
  - Select parts of water cycle diagrams (6-DD.3)
- 6.6.d water has a role in weathering
- 6.6.e large bodies of water moderate climate
  - Factors affecting climate: distance from the ocean (6-FF.6)
  - Factors affecting climate: surface ocean currents (6-FF.7)
- 6.6.f water is important for agriculture, power generation, and public health
6.7 The student will investigate and understand that air has properties and that Earth's atmosphere has structure and is dynamic. Key ideas include:
- 6.7.a air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds
- 6.7.b the atmosphere has physical characteristics
- 6.7.c properties of the atmosphere change with altitude
  - Factors affecting climate: altitude (6-FF.5)
- 6.7.d there is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions
- 6.7.e atmospheric measures are used to predict weather conditions
- 6.7.f weather maps give basic information about fronts, systems, and weather measurements
6.8 The student will investigate and understand that land and water have roles in watershed systems. Key ideas include:
- 6.8.a a watershed is composed of the land that drains into a body of water
- 6.8.b Virginia is composed of multiple watershed systems which have specific features
- 6.8.c the Chesapeake Bay is an estuary that has many important functions
- 6.8.d natural processes, human activities, and biotic and abiotic factors influence the health of a watershed system
6.9 The student will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Key ideas include:
- 6.9.a natural resources are important to protect and maintain
  - Evaluate claims about natural resource use: groundwater (6-Z.1)
  - Evaluate claims about natural resource use: fossil fuels (6-Z.2)
- 6.9.b renewable and nonrenewable resources can be managed
  - Evaluate claims about natural resource use: groundwater (6-Z.1)
  - Evaluate claims about natural resource use: fossil fuels (6-Z.2)
- 6.9.c major health and safety issues are associated with air and water quality
- 6.9.d major health and safety issues are related to different forms of energy
- 6.9.e preventive measures can protect land-use and reduce environmental hazards
  - Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: explore a problem (6-Y.1)
  - Coral reef biodiversity and human uses: evaluate solutions (6-Y.2)
- 6.9.f there are cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies

Virginia

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ESS Earth and Space Systems

6.2 The student will investigate and understand that the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact. Key ideas include:

6.2.a matter is distributed throughout the solar system

6.2.b planets have different sizes and orbit at different distances from the sun

6.2.c gravity contributes to orbital motion

6.2.d the understanding of the solar system has developed over time

6.3 The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Key ideas include:

6.3.a Earth has unique properties

6.3.b the rotation of Earth in relationship to the sun causes day and night

6.3.c the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon

6.3.d Earth's tilt as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons

6.3.e the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides

E Energy

6.4 The student will investigate and understand that there are basic sources of energy and that energy can be transformed. Key ideas include

6.4.a the sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth

6.4.b Earth's energy budget relates to living systems and Earth's processes

6.4.c radiation, conduction, and convection distribute energy

6.4.d energy transformations are important in energy usage

M Matter

6.5 The student will investigate and understand that all matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include:

6.5.a atoms consist of particles, including electrons, protons, and neutrons

6.5.b atoms of a particular element are similar but differ from atoms of other elements

6.5.c elements may be represented by chemical symbols

6.5.d two or more atoms interact to form new substances, which are held together by electrical forces (bonds)

6.5.e compounds may be represented by chemical formulas

6.5.f chemical equations can be used to model chemical changes

6.5.g a few elements comprise the largest portion of the solid Earth, living matter, the oceans, and the atmosphere

ER Earth Resources

6.6 The student will investigate and understand that water has unique physical properties and has a role in the natural and human-made environment. Key ideas include:

6.6.a water is referred to as the universal solvent

6.6.b water has specific properties

6.6.c thermal energy has a role in phase changes

6.6.d water has a role in weathering

6.6.e large bodies of water moderate climate

6.6.f water is important for agriculture, power generation, and public health

6.7 The student will investigate and understand that air has properties and that Earth's atmosphere has structure and is dynamic. Key ideas include:

6.7.a air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds

6.7.b the atmosphere has physical characteristics

6.7.c properties of the atmosphere change with altitude

6.7.d there is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions

6.7.e atmospheric measures are used to predict weather conditions

6.7.f weather maps give basic information about fronts, systems, and weather measurements

6.8 The student will investigate and understand that land and water have roles in watershed systems. Key ideas include:

6.8.a a watershed is composed of the land that drains into a body of water

6.8.b Virginia is composed of multiple watershed systems which have specific features

6.8.c the Chesapeake Bay is an estuary that has many important functions

6.8.d natural processes, human activities, and biotic and abiotic factors influence the health of a watershed system

6.9 The student will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Key ideas include:

6.9.a natural resources are important to protect and maintain

6.9.b renewable and nonrenewable resources can be managed

6.9.c major health and safety issues are associated with air and water quality

6.9.d major health and safety issues are related to different forms of energy

6.9.e preventive measures can protect land-use and reduce environmental hazards

6.9.f there are cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies