Grade 6 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 science in the Saskatchewan Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Life Science: Diversity of Living Things (DL6.1–DL6.5): Recognize, describe, and appreciate the diversity of living things in local and other ecosystems, and explore… Examine how humans organize understanding of the diversity of living things. Analyze the characteristics and behaviours of vertebrates and invertebrates. (and 2 more outcomes)
- Physical Science: Understanding Electricity (EL6.1–EL6.3): Assess personal, societal, economic, and environmental impacts of electricity use in Saskatchewan and propose… Investigate the characteristics and applications of static electric charges, conductors, insulators, switches, and… Explain and model the properties of simple series and parallel circuits.
- Physical Science: Principles of Flight (FL6.1–FL6.3): Examine connections between human fascination with flight and technologies and careers based on the scientific… Investigate how the forces of thrust, drag, lift, and gravity act on living things and constructed devices that… Design a working prototype of a flying object that meets specified performance criteria.
- Earth and Space Science: Our Solar System (SS6.1–SS6.3): Research and represent the physical characteristics of the major components of the solar system, including the… Assess the efficacy of various methods of representing and interpreting astronomical phenomena, including phases… Evaluate past, current, and possible future contributions of space exploration programs including space probes and…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electricity Use in Saskatchewan
Where Saskatchewan's electricity comes from (coal, natural gas, hydro such as Gardiner Dam, wind, solar), renewable and non-renewable sources, how electricity use affects people, costs and the environment, and everyday ways to save electricity.
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! Meeting is the goal for every outcome. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exemplary
- 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 Saskatchewan 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 Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan Curriculum Grade 6 science units include sorting living things, biodiversity, static electricity, circuits, flight, our solar system.
Free printable Grade 6 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.