Grade 6 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems – How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems? (BIO) 6.2 - An ecosystem is composed of all the populations that are living in a certain space and the physical factors with which they interact. Populations in ecosystems are affected by biotic factors, such as other populations, and abiotic factors, such as soil and water supply. Populations in ecosystems can be categorized as producers, consumers and decomposers of organic matter.	C 4. Describe how abiotic factors, such as temperature, water and sunlight, affect the ability of plants to create their own food through photosynthesis. C 5. Explain how populations are affected by predator-prey relationships. C 6. Describe common food webs in different Connecticut ecosystems.
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? (EARTH) 6.3 - Variations in the amount of the sun’s energy hitting the Earth’s surface affect daily and seasonal weather patterns. Local and regional weather are affected by the amount of solar energy these areas receive and by their proximity to a large body of water.	C 7. Describe the effect of heating on the movement of molecules in solids, liquids and gases. C 8. Explain how local weather conditions are related to the temperature, pressure and water content of the atmosphere and the proximity to a large body of water. C 9. Explain how the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface causes winds.
Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives? (EARTH) 6.4 - Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities. Most precipitation that falls on Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound.	C 10. Explain the role of septic and sewage systems on the quality of surface and ground water. C 11. Explain how human activity may impact water resources in Connecticut, such as ponds, rivers and the Long Island Sound ecosystem. REQUIRED CMT EMBEDDED TASK: DIG IN
Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world? (PHYS) 7.1 - Energy provides the ability to do work and can exist in many forms. Work is the process of making objects move through the application of force. Energy can be stored in many forms and can be transformed into the energy of motion.	C 12. Explain the relationship among force, distance and work, and use the relationship (W=F x D) to calculate work done in lifting heavy objects. C 13. Explain how simple machines, such as inclined planes, pulleys and levers, are used to create mechanical advantage. C 14. Describe how different types of stored (potential) energy can be used to make objects move.