The Nature of 6th Grade Science

This document identifies important classroom policies and procedures that will help guide each student through 6^th grade science in a successful manner. Please read through each part of this form with your parents, then have both you and your parents sign on the last page. This will Mr. Anderson know that you are familiar with these classroom procedures. Finally, place this paper in the front of your science binder (behind the course syllabus) for easy reference through-out the course of the school year.

What will we study in science?

The sixth grade science curriculum will utilize an inquiry based approach that will provide students with a rigorous academic experience. Reading and writing are elements that are taught across the curriculum and will be utilized in science. The specific content areas that we will investigate through the North Carolina Standard Course of Study are: 1) Lab safety and procedures, experimental design and the scientific method; 2) The Earth’s lithosphere (including the crust, earth’s interior, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals, rocks, soil and other forces that help shape the Earth); 3)Energy processes – such as energy transfer, sound and light energy, the flow of energy through ecosystems and how population dynamics impact the relationship between living and non-living things; 4)understanding the solar system, such as the relationships between the Earth, moon, sun and other planetary objects. As part of each of these units, we will integrate the importance of technological advancements and how these assist scientists in understanding the nature of science.

 Opportunities for Science Success

Materials

All students should have a 3-ring science binder (1 ½ to 2 inches), #2 pencils and a DMS agenda in class each day. Students are encouraged to set up their binder with tabs. Recommended sections are course syllabus and Nature of Science Letter, hand-outs, notes, study guides, graded assessments and loose leaf paper. Being prepared and organized is the first step in becoming a successful learner!

Completing Assignments

Students should be utilizing both the textbook and class notes to assist them with completing class work and homework assignments. Homework is meant to be an independent REVIEW of material/concepts covered in class. It is also important for students to learn how to utilize resources/notes when completing activities.

Text Books

A text book will not be issued to each student. However, textbooks are utilized as a resource within the classroom and may be checked out from the teacher as needed to assist students on homework or study guides from time to time. A lost or damaged text book will need to be replaced. The cost of replacing a text book is $55.

Homework

Homework or “After School Opportunities” are provided on a regular basis in science. The average amount of homework that you can expect your child to have is 90 minutes per night (for all subject areas). This is an average time per night for all classes – but it does not infer that each class will give the same amount of homework. Also, please note that different children work at different rates and time on-task will affect the amount of time that a student puts in each night, on homework.  All homework activities should be kept in the science binder and are due the following day unless otherwise noted by the teacher. Homework is reflective of effort rather than a percentage of correct or incorrect responses. The goal is to develop scientific thinking that may be practiced independently and then utilized on assessments. Most assignments are reviewed in class and students have the opportunity to make corrections.

Student assignments will be checked using a variety of methods: Work may be collected, assignments may be reviewed by Mr. Anderson at the beginning of class or he may just ask students if the work has been completed. Students will receive five points for completed assignments (following directions counts!), three points for late or incomplete work, and zero points for less than half or having none of the assignment completed. A homework grade will be posted on SPAN approximately every two weeks. It will be calculated by counting up student points and then dividing that sum by the total number of possible homework points. Students may turn in work late for partial credit. Although, it is recommended that this be done within two week windows, so that the assignment is still meaningful.

Assessments

Most quizzes and all tests will be announced, so that students have an opportunity to prepare. Notice of tests and quizzes will be given at least two days in advance. These dates are generally posted on schoolnotes.com as well. A study guide will also be part of the test preparation.

Extra Credit Opportunities

It is Mr. Anderson’s philosophy that a student’s grade should be reflective of their understanding of concepts taught over the course of the quarter. This understanding of science material will be assessed through quizzes, unit tests, lab work, homework and a final quarter exam.

Additional projects or assignments will not be provided to help bring up a student’s overall average.

However, over the course of a grading period there may be “extra-credit opportunities” which students may take advantage of on their own. For example, important papers sent home are often given extra points towards homework, from time-to-time students may utilize bonus coupons to raise a test, lab or quiz grade and each student will also receive a “Homework is Missing” slip. This slip may used twice each quarter when a daily homework assignment was not completed.

Grading System

All grades are weighted as a percentage of a student’s final grade. The weighting is distributed as follows:

Homework                             10%

Labs                                   20%

Tests                                  25%

Quizzes                                30%

Final Trimester Exam                  15%

While assessments are graded by percentage the report card grades will be shown as A, B, C, D and F. The grading scale is as follows:

A =   100 – 93%

B =    92 -  85%

C =    84 -  77%

D =   76 -  70%

F =   69% and lower

Reminders

1.     Take time to check your child’s homework agenda for daily and weekly homework assignments. These may also be found on www.schoolnotes.com. An occasional spot check of a student’s agenda and science binder can shed much light on class performance (e.g. binders with missing pages and incomplete work would be a cause for concern).

2.     Please take time to review graded papers with your child – and discuss results.

Thank you for your assistance as we work together in developing your child's independent learner strategies as we develop their scientific thinking!