Grade 6 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 science in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Physical Science: Electricity. Learners will test the flow of electrical energy through various materials.
- Physical Science: Electricity. Learners will evaluate renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.
- Physical Science: Flight. Learners will evaluate factors that influence flight.
- Earth and Space Science: Space. Learners will investigate components of space.
- Earth and Space Science: Space. Learners will investigate innovations used in space exploration.
- Life Science: Diversity of Life. Learners will analyse diversity of life in nature and significant relationships within the natural world.
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
Static Electricity
How rubbing moves electrons, why like charges repel and opposite charges attract, static sparks and lightning, and how static differs from current electricity.
Circuits
Conductors and insulators, what each part of a circuit does, and how series and parallel circuits behave and where each is used.
Flight
The four forces of flight and how balanced and unbalanced forces change motion, how air makes flight possible, how birds, bats and insects fly, and the impacts of aviation.
Earth, Moon and Sun
Why we have day and night, seasons, Moon phases, eclipses and tides, and which bodies give off light and which reflect it.
Our Solar System
The planets in order, rocky versus giant planets, reading a table of planet data, moons, dwarf planets, comets and the asteroid belt.
Galaxies & Space Tech
Our place in the Milky Way, light-years and other galaxies, telescopes, satellites and Canadian space technology, and how Indigenous peoples have observed and shared knowledge of the sky.
Gravity and Space Tech
The difference between mass and weight, how gravity changes weight, how astronauts meet their needs in space, and how space technology helps us understand Earth and space.
Sorting Living Things
Telling mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish apart, vertebrates from invertebrates, the kingdoms, and the levels of classification.
Biodiversity
Why a variety of life makes species and communities more resilient, how species depend on each other, and why biodiversity matters to people.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Limited
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Basic
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Thorough
- 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 Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
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.
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 6 science units include static electricity, circuits, flight, earth, moon and sun, our solar system, galaxies & space tech.
Free printable Grade 6 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.