Food Systems (6th Grade)

Lesson Plans

Grades6Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Ten Strands

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What it is

This Seeds to Solutions Grade 6 unit from Ten Strands and the San Mateo County Office of Education engages students in a ten-lesson exploration of how climate change impacts our food system, beginning with food shortage investigations and ending with adaptive solutions like seed saving.
The curriculum blends science, social science, and equity considerations as students examine causes and effects of climate-related food challenges, culminating in a collaborative final explanatory model and an action plan to improve resilience in their own school or community food systems.

Teaching tips

Positives

Activities like the Food System Charades in Lesson 5 will get students moving and engaged in this exploration.
The case studies of students affecting change in their schools will inspire and empower students as they read.

Prerequisites

When creating plans for action in Lessons 9 and 10, teachers may want to bring a food service staff member to act as a consultant, or consult them ahead of time.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers should note that there are accessible materials designed for students using text-to-speech assistive technology.
In Lesson 2, as students learn about climate change, teachers may want to incorporate this resource to help students identify and process emotions that arise.
Teachers should refer to the Teacher Background Information in Lesson 4 for tips on how to group students by ability for the jigsaw reading activity.
In Lesson 7, as students listen to the podcasts, teachers can give students copies of the transcripts to take notes, write questions, and highlight important parts.
Science teachers can collaborate with health teachers, having them precede Lesson 8 with a lesson or discussion about nutrition.

From the scientist review

This unit guides students in understanding the links between food systems and climate. The basic science of climate change is clearly presented. The unit features a nuanced analysis, detailing how agriculture is impacted by and contributes to climate change. This resource is clear, well-sourced, and is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Other types: Articles/Websites, Videos, Data, Graphs, and Maps, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Podcasts
Format: Google Docs, Google Slides, YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: North America > United States, North America > United States > California
Provider: Ten Strands
Authors: Seeds to Solutions, Ten Strands
Published: August 1, 2025
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7 + 11 more

Core

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ESS3-5.Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
MS-LS1-B.3.Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growth of the adult plant. (MS-LS1-5)
MS-ESS3-D.Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)
MS-CCC-Systemsand System Models.2. Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.
MS-CCC-Stabilityand Change.2. Small changes in one part of a system might cause large changes in another part.

Maine Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.6-8.1Prepare for and participate in conversations across a range of topics, types, and forums, building on others' ideas and expressing their own.
R.6-8.4Read various texts closely to determine what each text explicitly says and to make logical inferences; cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the texts.
R.6-8.5Provide an accurate summary of various texts; determine the central idea(s) or theme(s) and analyze its development throughout each text.
R.6-8.6Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

Science and Engineering

MS-LS1-5Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Social Studies

History1 (D2): Students understand major eras, major enduring themes, and historic influences in the history of Maine, the United States, and various regions of the world by analyzing major historical eras, major enduring themes, turning points, events, consequences, and people in the history of Maine, the United States and various regions of the world.

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