Grade 6
Build models, establish evidence habits and connect ideas.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 6 curriculum map →Browse Grade 6 lessons →Middle School Curriculum Explorer · Grades 6–8
See the path.
Build understanding.
Explore a suggested progression, find a useful next lesson, and make the thinking visible. For parents, homeschool families, tutors and teachers.
96 original mini-lessons3 grades8 subjects
A starter map of selected skills, with practice and answers. Science and social studies sequences are suggested; electives and local requirements vary.
Follow a question.
Explain your thinking.
Grade → Subject → Unit → Lesson
Start with the bigger picture.
Grade 7
Compare explanations, strengthen reasoning and revise with purpose.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 7 curriculum map →Browse Grade 7 lessons →Grade 8
Synthesize evidence, evaluate alternatives and work more independently.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 8 curriculum map →Browse Grade 8 lessons →Find a practical next step
Which skill comes next?
18 matching lessons
Clear filtersGrade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
What Can Seedling Data Tell Us?
Plan a fair light comparison and separate a measured pattern from a conclusion.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-5Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
A Cell Works as a Team
Build a model connecting cell parts with the needs of the whole cell.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Draw What Warming Changes
Connect a short scientific description to particle diagrams of a pure substance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Follow Water Along More Than One Path
Model a branching water cycle and identify the drivers of movement.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS2-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Why the Moon’s Shape Seems to Change
Use a top-view paper model to distinguish illumination from Earth-based appearance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS1-1Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Which Shade Shelter Meets the Brief?
Compare competing designs with a clear decision rule and acknowledge tradeoffs.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Living Connections
Matter Cycles, Energy Flows
Revise a food-web model to include decomposers and a system boundary.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS2-3Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Living Connections
What a Punnett Model Predicts
Use a simple inheritance model while distinguishing probabilities from guaranteed family outcomes.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS3-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.3Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Changes in Matter and Motion
Rearrange Atoms Without Losing Them
Use paper tokens to model conservation in a chemical change.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-5Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Changes in Matter and Motion
Which Cart Comparison Is Fair?
Use experimental descriptions to isolate force and mass variables.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS2-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Watersheds and Solutions
Where Does the Rain Go?
Connect a runoff diagram, measurements and an environmental-impact proposal.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS3-3Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 7 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Watersheds and Solutions
Choose a Filter Without Overclaiming
Evaluate competing designs from multiple test measures and define a fair next test.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Systems, Evidence and Variation
How Strong Is the Ecosystem Claim?
Evaluate an ecological argument using paired sites, time patterns and an alternative explanation.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS2-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.8Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Systems, Evidence and Variation
Compare Two Ways of Passing on Information
Use chromosome-card models to contrast inheritance in sexual and asexual reproduction.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS3-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Energy and Experimental Reasoning
Explain a Heating Plateau
Integrate a simple heating table with a particle model without treating all added energy as rising temperature.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Energy and Experimental Reasoning
Audit a Force-and-Mass Investigation
Critique a flawed experimental report and redesign it for interpretable evidence.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS2-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Earth Patterns and Design Decisions
Seasons Need a Tilted-Axis Model
Explain seasonal patterns through axis tilt, sunlight angle and day length.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS1-1Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 8 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Earth Patterns and Design Decisions
Choose and Improve a Stormwater Plan
Combine design constraints, uncertain results and monitoring in an environmental recommendation.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.