Grade 6 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 science in the Prince Edward Island Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Life Science: Diversity of Life.
- Physical Science: Electricity.
- Physical Science: Flight.
- Earth and Space Science: Space.
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
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.
Traits & Fossils
Practises how plants and animals pass traits to their offspring, the difference between inherited traits and learned skills, and how fossils give evidence of how organisms have changed over time.
Tiny Living Things
Practises how scientists observe and compare common arthropods and microorganisms, how microorganisms meet their needs, and how people protect against unwanted growth at home.
Adaptations & Endangered Animals
Practises how an animal’s body suits its environment, how related animals differ in different places, why some animals are endangered and how people study and protect them.
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.
Electrical Safety
Practises safety rules for household electricity, batteries and circuits: keeping electricity away from water, handling cords and plugs, power lines, and safe use of low-voltage batteries.
Electromagnets & Generators
Practises the link between electricity and magnetism: how an electromagnet works, what makes it stronger, the devices that use them and how generators make electric current.
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.
Stars & Constellations
Practises identifying constellations and comparing how different cultures have used the stars for planting, navigating and telling stories.
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 PEI 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 Prince Edward Island Curriculum Grade 6 science units include sorting living things, biodiversity, traits & fossils, tiny living things, adaptations & endangered animals, static electricity.
Free printable Grade 6 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.