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2.3.1 Observe closely over a period of time and then record in pictures and words the changes in plants and animals throughout their life cycles-including details of their body plan, structure and timing of growth, reproduction and death. Differentiation: Have ELL students keep a picture journal of drawings of their compost 2 times a week.  Observe the changes over time.

4.2.1 "Demonstrate and describe how smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of larger rocks in a process that occurs over a long period of time."

This would be a great language development activity for ELL students- they could be challenged to use adjectives to describe what they are seeing during the weathering process. 

The Challenger Center also offers Special Needs missions. Lessons are differentiated as students will be assigned to different roles.  This is a very "challenging" endeavor, and requires completion of lessons prior to the visit.

Modification to project required to meet standard.  *** Can be modified to include discussion of recycling***

2.2.9: Investigate how the shape of the moon changes from day to day in a repeating cycle that lasts about a month. This activity can be adapted for gifted students by having them identify specific words that describe the phases of the moon they're observing. For example, under "Day 1," the student could write words such as "waxing," "waning," "full moon," or "new moon." This activity could also be used for younger age groups by having the students observe the moon for one week, rather than one month.

My only concern is that the students may think the moon actually does get "a bite" taken out of it and changes shape instead of realizing that it always remains circular, but it just appears to be different shapes based on the position of the moon in relation to the sun and the Earth. If you use this activity, be sure to make it perfectly clear that the moon is always round.

5.1.3 "Demonstrate that regardless of how parts of an object are assembled the weight of the whole object is identical to the sum of the weight of the parts; however, the volume can differ from the sum of the volumes."

Extension: Incorporate social studies and language arts- The Cartesian diver is named after Rene Descartes, a French philosopher and physicist. Students can do a research report on scientists that have made significant contributions to the world of science throughout history.

Sticky Note: This would be a great beginning activity to describe the 3 states of matter. Also could be manipulated to be turned into a math activity where students = different fraction lengths (12 kids =1 whole...what would 6 kids equal, etc.)

3.2.1. "Examine the physical properties of rock samples and sort them into categories based on size using simple tools such as sieves." 3.2.2 "Observe the detailed characteristics of rocks and minerals. Identify rocks as being composed of different combinations of minerals."

There are a ton of resources for extension activities with this unit on this site. This is a hands-on approach to rock and mineral exploration.

2.1.3. Predict and experiment with methods (e.g. sieving, evaporation) to separate solids and liquids based on their physical properties.2.1.4 Observe, sketch, demonstrate and compare how objects can move in different ways (e.g., straight, zig-zag, back-and-forth, rolling, fast and slow).2.1.5 Describe the position or motion of an object relative to a point of reference (e.g., background, another object).2.1.6 Observe, demonstrate, sketch and compare how applied force (i.e., push or pull) changes the motion of objects. Differentiation: Instead of writing out a hypothesis, have special education students draw the designs or what they predict will happen to the salt when they swing their pendulum.

2.OA.2 "Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies.2 By end of Grade 2, know from memory sums all of two one-digit numbers." This game could be modified for gifted students by using more number cards, and modifying the goal. The goal for these students could be to get cards that total 20, rather than 10. This game could also be used for older age groups by having them play with negative and positive numbers. 

This could also be used as an addition or subtraction domino game in lower grades without changing the integrity of the game. It would also be easy to use as the level of difficulty of your problems increase. Laminating them to different colors would allow easy coding as to the level of difficulty of the problem.

Extensions: This activity can connect math with art (using pictures of currency)  This activity also incorporates a real world skill - counting money. Adaptations: Gifted student can use other coins not mentioned to reach goal of $1.00.  ESL students can draw pictures of currency to understand value of money used and use chart to understand place value.  Special Ed students can have more time to count and be paired with another peer.

This could also be applied by using different shapes...much like the attribute blocks that they would have to make patterns of by knowing the attributes of the shapes.

3.MD.2 "Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l). Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as a beaker with a measurement scale) to represent the problem." This activity can be modified for ELL students by having them work in pairs or small groups. The ELL students could have the role as "recorder" until they grasp the concept of how estimation works. This activity can be modified for gifted students by having them measure more objects, and then make a graph based on their results. For older ages, this activity could be used to measure objects, and then convert the weight into other units of measurement.

1.NBT.4 "Add within 100, including adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number, and adding a two-digit number and a multiple of 10, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used. Understand that in adding two-digit numbers, one adds tens and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose a ten." This activity can be modified for gifted students by adding the number of die used. Try using two or more die as a challenge! The final score can be adjusted as well. This may be beneficial for ELL students. Instead of using 30 as the score to try to reach, try using 20. In the same way, the final score can be raised for gifted students. This activity can be used for older ages by multiplying the numbers, rather than adding them.

Sticky Note: This could be used for graphing if students had to test their structures multiple times, create a graph and find the average. Then could create a class graph of each group's averages. Could also be manipulated for younger students by changing the amount of materials.

Extensions: Life Science connects with Recycling (Environment). Adaptations: Gifted students can determine other parts of plants that can be used instead of throwing away.  ESL & Special Ed students can help with experiment or draw pictures of results of experiment.

Nature of Science Standard: Make predictions and formulate testable questions; plan and carry out investigations-often over a period of several lessons-as a class, in small groups or independently; perform investigations using appropriate tools and technologies that will extend the senses; use measurement skills and apply appropriate units when collecting data; test predictions with multiple trials; keep accurate records in a notebook during investigations and communicate findings to others using graphs, charts, maps and models through oral and written reports; compare the results of an investigation with the prediction. This activity can be modified for ELL students by allowing those students to be the recorder for the group. This will allow those students to participate, without having the pressure of attempting to measure and use words they may not be comfortable with yet. Allowing these students to be the recorder keeps them involved with the group, while also allowing them to practice the English words for the numbers being recorded. This activity can also be used for younger ages by shortening the activity to throwing the ball five times, rather than ten. The act of throwing the ball make take longer for these students, as well as measuring an angle.

3.1.2 "Investigate how the loudness and pitch of sound changes when the rate of vibrations changes." This activity can be used with ELL students by having them do the activity while saying a variety of words that they need to practice learning. These words could be said in Spanish and English, both. This is a great way to use this activity in a way that is meaningful for those students. This activity can also be used with older ages by having the students record their predictions about what will happen if they use a louder voice, or a deeper pitch with the sound. The students could then compare their results with other students in the class.

6.4.2. "Construct a simple device that uses potential or kinetic energy to perform work"

This is a great activity that takes this standard to a whole new level- using the body to make a model of a machine.  Once the students have completed the activity, I would challenge them to think of what we use in our every day life that is made out of machines like the "marshmallow-smashing machine." Sixth grade students will love coming up with silly noises and motions- awesome learning tool/visual for kinesthetic students!