This unit is related to the core grade 6 unit Exploring Space . Some of the objectives follow from the objectives of that unit. The outline of the grade 6 unit should be read and the students' concepts assessed according to the objectives of that unit. Science writing and reading activities, as discussed in this Guide, should be incorporated into each lesson. Writing helps students make sense of what they are seeing and reading, and helps them adjust the way they look at the world.
Students come into science classes with an understanding of how things work.
Often their understandings are not the same as the way scientists understand events or ldo not correspond to what they themselves observe. Reflective writing can help them reevaluate their ideas and schemata. Reading newspapers and journals is an important source of ideas, and reporting on the activities of science class by writing advertisements, reports, and stories are strategies through which students may refine their understanding of the concepts of science and develop their ability to communicate through the written word. Science challenge , as described in this Guide, is meant to extend students' critical and creative thinking abilities in the context of the science concepts being studied. Activities involving science challenge should be incorporated into science lessons in each unit.