Virginia SOL 6.3.e

Science6th GradeEarth and Space Systems

The Standard

the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how the Moon’s gravity produces tidal bulges on the near and far sides of Earth. They connect Earth’s rotation through these bulges to repeating high and low tides.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given an Earth-Moon diagram, students mark two high-tide zones along the Earth-Moon line and two low-tide zones between them. They explain that the Sun and coastline shape can change tidal height and timing.
Common Misconceptions: Students often expect only one tidal bulge because the Moon is on one side of Earth. They may confuse tides with wind-driven waves or claim Earth’s rotation creates tides by itself. Some think the Sun has no effect.
How to Assess It: Give students an Earth diagram with the Moon shown on the right. Ask them to mark two high-tide areas, two low-tide areas, and explain their choices.

Lesson moves

Use a foam Earth, Moon ball, and elastic loop to model two tidal bulges while rotating Earth beneath the loop.
Ask students to write: Why can a coastline have two high tides while the Moon is on only one side of Earth?
Play a diagram match where students pair Moon positions with labeled high-tide and low-tide locations, then defend each match.
Use a Virginia tide table to choose a safe launch time for a shallow-water boat and explain the Moon’s role.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.3.e, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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