Mr. C.C. Andersen                              Class Syllabus: 6th Grade Science 2003-4

As we begin the new school year, there are many changes taking place in the lives of the students.  Organizing time and materials so that everything gets completed is very important.  Working hard and keeping up with all the projects and materials that are covered will guarantee success. While the classes are taught in blocks the homework and projects are not limited to those nights, students should be working on some science topic every night. The following is a brief description of 6th grade science.

Books:

·         1st Semester:   The Changing Surface of Earth,  Earth Materials and Processes

·         2nd Semester: The Air Around You, Astronomy

Science Units:

How Dense Am I?, Movers and Shakers, Where In The World, and a variety of other units.  Each science unit lasts 4-5 weeks on average, and includes each of the following parts;

·         Unit Objectives

·         Reading Assignments

·         Important Vocabulary Terms

·         Homework Assignments and Due Dates

·         Quizzes and Tests Dates

·         Performance and Long Term Activities

·         In –Class Laboratories

 

Class Guidelines:

• Arrive to class on time prepared for science.
• Working together makes the whole better than the sum of its parts
• You learn when you teach and everyone can teach something.
• Understand that we all can have bad days.
• Take responsibility for your own words and actions.
• Listen and be recognized before you speak.
• Leave things nicer than when you arrived.

Guidance:

• Warnings to the individuals the behavior is not appropriate;  (During laboratories there will be the suspension of activity privileges.)
• Verbal and/or nonverbal reinforcement and/or movement of the student or disruptive group.
• Assignment of class appropriate detention.
• Parent signature on ASA Discipline Action Form.
• Direct parental contact and possible involvement with the counseling office.

Behavior Benefits:

• The direct benefit for a class that can maintain proper behavior, as a group is the ability to do more laboratories activities.
• Science report card summary sheets during the term show how you are doing during the term.
• Special library, computer activities, field trips and projects related to the classwork.
• Written and verbal praise especially for effort made.

Special Laboratory Safety Procedures.

** NO RUNNING OR RANDOM MOVEMENTS.

** NO EATING OR DRINKING WITHOUT PERMISSION AT ANY TIME.

** NO THROWING ANYTHING.

Materials Management:

There is a textbook used in the exploration of 6^th  grade science, as well as regular in and out of class projects. These books will be assigned to the students, but must be treated well and must be covered so they can be used in the future. There is a place for students to keep some materials at school, remembering that personal organization and bringing the materials to class is the most important. In addition each student is required to have the following for each class period attended:

·                                 Covered Text Book

·                                 Hardcover single subject notebook with plastic spiral binding (roughly 70 / 100 pages no more)

·                                 Writing and Erasing tools, Calculator

·                                 Metric ruler and Protractor

·                                 Large plastic folder to store returned work, quizzes and tests

·                                 3.5" Computer Disk or the ability to transfer computer files would be helpful

Grading Policy:

Grades are given based on the total points received during the marking period. Each assigned work is evaluated and given a possible point value. The total achieved by the student divided by the total possible gives a percentage with an equivalent grade value. In all of my classes a certain percentage of the grade is made up of Tests and Quizzes, In-class and Laboratory Activities and Homework. Participation is vital to a positive experience in science so keep the attendance high and the lateness low.

Homework or quizzes are accepted after the due date but ONLY due to an excused absence. Lab books and most in-class work are allowed to be redone for up to 80% of the original grade. Unexcused tardiness and unexcused absences lower conduct grades for even the best-behaved student and will lead to after school detentions and administrative action.