Grade 6 Science · Solar System and Earth-Sun-Moon Relationships / Energy

Virginia SOL 6.3.ESM

Virginia SOL 6.3.ESM is part of the Solar System and Earth-Sun-Moon Relationships / Energy strand in Grade 6 Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate the relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Below is what 6.3.ESM covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice 6.3.ESM for the Virginia SOL test.

What SOL 6.3.ESM means

Investigate the relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon.

Skills you’ll practice for 6.3.ESM

  • Recognize that Earth has unique properties.
  • Recognize that the rotation of Earth in relationship to the sun causes day and night.
  • Recognize that the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon.
  • Recognize that Earth’s tilt as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons.
  • Recognize that the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides.

Key concepts covered by 6.3.ESM

  • Earth's properties
  • planetary uniqueness
  • geological features
  • Earth science
  • Earth's rotation
  • day and night
  • axial tilt
  • solar position
  • lunar phases
  • Earth-moon-sun system
  • celestial mechanics
  • orbital mechanics
  • Earth's tilt
  • seasons
  • tides
  • gravitational pull
  • Earth-moon interactions
  • oceanography

How to study and practice SOL 6.3.ESM

Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether 6.3.ESM is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.

  • 6.2.SSInvestigate the organization and interactions of the solar system.
  • 6.4.ETInvestigate basic sources of energy and energy transformations.

Frequently asked questions about SOL 6.3.ESM

What is Virginia SOL 6.3.ESM?

SOL 6.3.ESM is a Grade 6 Science Standard of Learning in the Solar System and Earth-Sun-Moon Relationships / Energy strand. It expects students to investigate the relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon.

What skills does SOL 6.3.ESM cover?

SOL 6.3.ESM is assessed on 5 skills: recognize that Earth has unique properties; recognize that the rotation of Earth in relationship to the sun causes day and night; recognize that the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon; recognize that Earth’s tilt as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons; recognize that the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides.

What strand of Grade 6 Science is SOL 6.3.ESM in?

SOL 6.3.ESM belongs to the Solar System and Earth-Sun-Moon Relationships / Energy reporting strand of the Grade 6 Science Virginia Standards of Learning.

How do I study and practice for SOL 6.3.ESM?

Start with a diagnostic to see whether 6.3.ESM is already solid, then work the 5 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.