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Earth & Space Science

Investigate Earth's structure, weather systems, the solar system, and the universe beyond. Build scientific thinking through hands-on investigation design and real-world data analysis. TEKS §112.18 aligned.

14 Units

30-45 minutes per unit

What You Will Learn

Earth Systems

Explore plate tectonics, the rock cycle, weather, climate, and water systems — how our planet works.

Space Science

Journey from the solar system to distant galaxies — understand our place in the universe.

TEKS Aligned

Covers Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grade 6 Science (§112.18).

All Units

The Nature of Science

Explore the scientific method, design investigations with variables and controls, and practice essential lab safety skills.

•Apply the steps of scientific inquiry to design a controlled experiment
•Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables in an investigation
•Demonstrate proper lab safety procedures and explain their importance
+1 more objectives

Matter and Energy

Investigate the states of matter, physical and chemical changes, and the forms of energy that drive everything from thunderstorms to plate tectonics.

•Classify matter by its state and describe the particle behavior in solids, liquids, and gases
•Distinguish between physical and chemical changes using observable evidence
•Identify different forms of energy and explain energy transformations
+1 more objectives

Forces and Motion

Discover how forces cause objects to move, speed up, slow down, and stop, and learn the basics of Newton's laws and gravity.

•Calculate speed using the distance-over-time formula
•Describe Newton's three laws of motion using real-world examples
•Explain how gravity influences objects on Earth and in space
+1 more objectives

Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics

Explore Earth's interior layers, discover how tectonic plates move, and understand why earthquakes and volcanoes occur where they do.

•Describe the composition and properties of Earth's crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core
•Explain the theory of plate tectonics and the evidence that supports it
•Identify the three types of plate boundaries and the landforms they create
+1 more objectives

Rocks, Minerals, and the Rock Cycle

Learn to classify minerals and rocks by their properties and formation, and trace how the rock cycle continuously reshapes Earth's crust.

•Identify minerals using physical properties like hardness, luster, streak, and cleavage
•Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic based on how they formed
•Describe the rock cycle and explain how one rock type can transform into another
+1 more objectives

Weathering, Erosion, and Soil

Examine how weathering breaks down rock, erosion reshapes landscapes, and soil forms as the thin living layer that supports all terrestrial life.

•Compare mechanical and chemical weathering and give examples of each
•Explain how erosion and deposition by water, wind, ice, and gravity shape landforms
•Describe how soil forms and identify the layers in a soil profile
+1 more objectives

Earth's Water Systems

Trace the water cycle from ocean to atmosphere to land, and explore how oceans, rivers, and groundwater sustain life on Earth.

•Describe the processes of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection
•Explain the distribution of water on Earth and why freshwater is scarce
•Describe how groundwater is stored and why aquifers matter for Texas
+1 more objectives

Weather and Climate

Explore the layers of the atmosphere, learn what drives weather patterns, and understand the difference between weather and climate.

•Identify the layers of the atmosphere and describe their key characteristics
•Explain how air pressure, humidity, and temperature interact to create weather
•Describe the formation of major weather events including fronts, thunderstorms, and hurricanes
+1 more objectives

Earth's Atmosphere and Energy

Understand how solar radiation interacts with Earth's atmosphere, what causes the greenhouse effect, and why seasons change throughout the year.

•Explain how solar energy is absorbed, reflected, and redistributed by Earth's atmosphere and surface
•Describe the greenhouse effect and its role in maintaining Earth's temperature
•Explain what causes seasons using Earth's axial tilt and orbital position
+1 more objectives

The Solar System

Explore the planets, moons, and other objects that orbit our sun, and discover how gravity holds the entire solar system together.

•Describe the organization and scale of the solar system, including the sun, planets, moons, and smaller objects
•Explain how gravity governs orbits and keeps the solar system in motion
•Compare and contrast the inner rocky planets with the outer gas and ice giants
+1 more objectives

Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe

Discover how stars are born, live, and die, and explore the galaxies and vast cosmic distances that define our universe.

•Describe the life cycle of a star from nebula to its final stage
•Use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to classify stars by temperature, brightness, and life stage
•Explain how scientists measure cosmic distances using light-years and parallax
+1 more objectives

Earth's Resources and Sustainability

Understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and explore how humans can use Earth's materials responsibly.

•Classify Earth's resources as renewable, nonrenewable, or inexhaustible
•Explain how fossil fuels form and why they are considered nonrenewable on human timescales
•Describe strategies for conserving natural resources and reducing environmental impact
+1 more objectives

Natural Hazards and Earth's History

Investigate how fossils and rock layers reveal Earth's ancient past, and understand the natural hazards that shape landscapes and communities.

•Explain how fossils form and what they reveal about past environments and life on Earth
•Describe the geologic time scale and the major events that define its divisions
•Identify the causes and effects of natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods
+1 more objectives

Science, Technology, and Society

Explore how the engineering design process works, how science and technology shape daily life, and how society decides which problems science should solve.

•Describe the steps of the engineering design process and apply them to a real-world problem
•Explain how scientific discoveries lead to technological innovations that change daily life
•Analyze the relationship between science, technology, and societal needs
+1 more objectives

Grade 6 Earth & Space Science. Designed for Texas homeschool families. TEKS §112.18 aligned.