Grade 6 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 science in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Matter: How can the particles of matter be influenced by heating or cooling?
- Energy (forces): In what ways can interactions between objects lead to physical change?
- Energy (resources): How are energy resources used, and what influences which ones people choose?
- Working like a scientist: Investigate, build and test ideas safely, and look at traditional and modern technologies.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?”
- Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives.
- Look up how a household machine works, such as a bike gear, a lamp or a fridge.
- Have your child draw and label a diagram of something they just learned.
What each unit covers
Particles and Heat
Solids, liquids and gases in the particle model, faster particles when heated and slower when cooled, melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation, and why mass stays the same in a phase change.
Measuring Temperature
Degrees Celsius, the freezing and boiling points of water, everyday temperatures, how a liquid thermometer works by expansion and contraction, and safe handling.
Expanding, Shrinking and Freezing Water
Most matter expands when heated and contracts when cooled, water expands when it freezes so ice floats, an icy surface insulates lakes, and engineers plan for sidewalks, bridges and roads.
Forces in Interactions
External forces (applied, friction, elastic) and internal forces (tension, compression, shear, torsion), and that every action force has an equal and opposite reaction force.
Gravity & Friction
Working out net force, telling balanced from unbalanced forces, mass versus weight on the Moon and other planets, and when friction helps or causes problems.
Changing Shape
Elasticity (a shape returns) and plasticity (a shape stays changed), temporary versus permanent changes, and how the properties of a material suit it to a job.
Energy Resources
Renewable and non-renewable resources, the ones Alberta uses (fossil fuels, hydro, wind, biomass), factors like cost and environmental impact, processed and unprocessed resources, and responsible management.
Making and Using Electricity
How electrical energy is made from other energy forms and changed back, the impacts of different ways of making it in Canada, and ways to use less.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alberta report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 6 child with science?
Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?” Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 6 science in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 6 science units include particles and heat, measuring temperature, expanding, shrinking and freezing water, forces in interactions, gravity & friction, changing shape.
Free printable Grade 6 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.