Sixth grade – Earth Science
Wetland Trail – S6L1a, S6E1 PE6.3, PE6.5 - Students walk the trail around the fishery ponds to the Blackwater Swamp. During the first part of the hike students are challenged to observe the contrast between the geology of a sand-hill habitat and a wetland habitat as well as compare and contrast the public fishing ponds with the hatchery ponds. Student observations of surface features within both habitats add to discussion of constructive and destructive processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition as well as effects of animal and human activity.
Soils Lab – S6E5, ELAGSE6SL1 - Students will use soil sampling tubes to take soil samples in the sand hill habitat. Using screen sieves, students will sorts samples into layers, and time-permitting will weigh each layer to determine soil layer proportions.
Solar Shadows – S6E2, ELAGSE6SL1 - (Weather permitting) The instructor demonstrates how students can use a solar tracking board to demonstrate the earth’s rotation. Students will then keep track of solar shadows for themselves as well as build a pocket sundial.
Fossils Lab – S6E5, ELAGSE6SL1 - Students will discuss the rock cycle and the importance of fossil evidence in studying the earth as they use fossil molds and plaster of Paris to make their own fossil casts.
Discovery Room – S6L1, ELAGSE6RL1, ELAGSE6RI, ELAGSE6RI4, ELAGSE6RI5 - Students rotate through centers and displays including fossils and rocks and minerals of Georgia. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using Mohs hardness scale.
Archery (National Archery in the Schools Program) - ELAGSE6SL1, PE6.2, PE.6.3c, PE6.3d, PE6.5, PE6.6, ELAGSE6SL1 - A certified instructor teaches the safety and technical basics of archery as specified by NASP. Students are then allowed to participate in shooting targets, scoring their attempts, and retrieving arrows. NASP promotes student education, physical education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery in an effort to inspire students to spend more time outdoors.
Wheel of Nature – ELAGSE6SL1 - Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions. (Questions are adapted to grade/ability level.)
Wetland Trail – S6L1a, S6E1 PE6.3, PE6.5 - Students walk the trail around the fishery ponds to the Blackwater Swamp. During the first part of the hike students are challenged to observe the contrast between the geology of a sand-hill habitat and a wetland habitat as well as compare and contrast the public fishing ponds with the hatchery ponds. Student observations of surface features within both habitats add to discussion of constructive and destructive processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition as well as effects of animal and human activity.
Soils Lab – S6E5, ELAGSE6SL1 - Students will use soil sampling tubes to take soil samples in the sand hill habitat. Using screen sieves, students will sorts samples into layers, and time-permitting will weigh each layer to determine soil layer proportions.
Solar Shadows – S6E2, ELAGSE6SL1 - (Weather permitting) The instructor demonstrates how students can use a solar tracking board to demonstrate the earth’s rotation. Students will then keep track of solar shadows for themselves as well as build a pocket sundial.
Fossils Lab – S6E5, ELAGSE6SL1 - Students will discuss the rock cycle and the importance of fossil evidence in studying the earth as they use fossil molds and plaster of Paris to make their own fossil casts.
Discovery Room – S6L1, ELAGSE6RL1, ELAGSE6RI, ELAGSE6RI4, ELAGSE6RI5 - Students rotate through centers and displays including fossils and rocks and minerals of Georgia. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using Mohs hardness scale.
Archery (National Archery in the Schools Program) - ELAGSE6SL1, PE6.2, PE.6.3c, PE6.3d, PE6.5, PE6.6, ELAGSE6SL1 - A certified instructor teaches the safety and technical basics of archery as specified by NASP. Students are then allowed to participate in shooting targets, scoring their attempts, and retrieving arrows. NASP promotes student education, physical education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery in an effort to inspire students to spend more time outdoors.
Wheel of Nature – ELAGSE6SL1 - Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions. (Questions are adapted to grade/ability level.)