COURSE SYLLABUS
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COURSE SYLLABUS: Earth Science (6th
Grade)
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Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Cushing
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Email: bcushing@sonoranacademy.org
Website:
bcushing.sonoranacademy.org
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Room #: 100
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Voice mail #: 665-3400 ext 100
(Email is checked more
frequently.)
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Welcome to 6th Grade Earth
Science! I am excited to have all
of you in my class this year.
Course Overview:
The sixth grade Earth Science studies will
include basic chemistry, geology, ecology, astronomy, and earth systems. Students
are encouraged to develop their critical-thinking skills and to integrate those
skills to become self-directed, life-long learners. Math and Language Arts
skills are supported through activities in a science notebook format.
Course Organization:
The course will be organized into major
units, to include
-- Earth
Materials,
-- Changing
Surface of the Earth,
-- Earth’s
Internal Processes,
-- Change
and Earth’s History,
-- Earth’s
Air and Water,
-- You
and the Environment.
The processes of scientific investigation,
the inquiry process, the history and the nature of science, and science in
personal and social perspectives will be integrated throughout the course.
Course Goals:
-- Students
will develop an understanding of the scientific method and science processes.
Given a grade appropriate problem, students will be able to design, implement,
and analyze results to determine an answer to the science-related question, and
suggest ways to improve their results in the future, as well as determine
future avenues for investigation.
-- Students
will be able to describe and explain basic earth processes as they relate to
natural phenomena on our planet, such as plate tectonics, the rock cycle,
climate and weather patterns, and erosion.
-- Students
will be able to discuss human impacts on the water, air, and land resources of
our planet.
Text:
Glencoe McGraw-Hill Arizona Science Grade 6
Each student will receive a textbook for
home use. A set of textbooks will
be available for use while in class. When students first enter the class, they
will take a book from the shelf, and return it neatly as they leave. The
classroom books will not be taken from the room.
Science Fair:
All students will participate in the science
fair and will design and conduct an independent experiment/investigation for
this project. This is an in-depth, independent project that will be presented
in steps. It will be introduced in August, and will be worked on throughout the
first semester and into the second. The project will be a major
component of each student’s grade.
Evaluation:
40% -- Participation during in-class
assignments and discussions, homework, notebook, activities, and lab reports
40% -- Tests, Quizzes, Projects and Papers
20% -- Semester Finals
Grading Scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
65-69% D
Below 65 F
Homework:
Homework will be assigned several times a
week. Homework may include reading from the textbook and taking notes,
completing work started in class, worksheets, and other assignments designed to
reinforce the day’s lesson. When
homework is not assigned, every student is responsible for reading over his or
her notes or preparing for test & quizzes.
Unless the students are otherwise informed, homework is due at
the BEGINNING of the next meeting period. Homework will be turned into the
assigned “in-box” as the student enters the classroom. In addition to daily
homework, students will be expected to work on their science fair project at
home. Other projects will also occasionally be assigned as homework.
Missed/Late Work:
Assignments are expected to be on
time. Missing assignments receive a zero. For larger projects, 10%
of the grade will be deducted for each day the project or paper is late. When
the grade reaches 50%, the assignment will no longer be accepted.
The exception to this rule is the science fair project. This project has a
definitive due date, as NO projects
will be accepted after the due date. As the science fair project is a major
component of all students’ grades, students must ensure that the project is
turned in on or before the assigned due date.
Students with excused absences have one day
for each day missed to complete assignments. Labs, tests, and other activities
should be made up during the next scheduled tutoring time following the absence.
Making
Up Work When Absent:
If
students must miss class, they are responsible for making up any missed
assignments. It is the students’ responsibility to find out what assignments
they missed by talking to a classmate or checking the classroom planner. Students
are also responsible for borrowing any missed class notes from a classmate and
copying them into their notebooks. If they know they are going to be absent, it
will be in their best interest to ask for the assignments ahead of time so that
they do not fall behind.
Supply List:
-- Three (3) -- 100
page bound Composition Notebooks (NO Spiral Bound or Tear Out Notebooks)
-- Pens & pencils
-- Highlighter
-- Pocket Folder
(used to contain handouts)
-- Planner
-- Three
pens or sharpened pencils brought to every class
-- Handheld
pencil sharpener
-- Eraser
-- Loose-leaf
paper
-- Other
supplies, including markers, poster boards, magazines, index cards, and other
general school items may be needed from time to time. Students will be advised
of any items to bring at least two days in advance.
Science Notebooks:
All students are required to keep three composition notebooks for science. No
spiral notebooks are permitted. Composition notebooks generally have a black
& white marbled cover and are bound. One notebook will be used for daily
notes, another will be used for science labs, and the other will be used for
the Science Fair. Science
notebooks will be graded periodically. This will be a major tool for students
studying for science class.
Extra Credit:
Occasional extra credit assignments will be
offered to the entire class. Extra credit assignments will not be accepted from
students who have not turned in major projects or papers. In other words, extra
credit assignments cannot be completed to make up for missed ones. Individual
extra credit assignments will not be accepted. For example, do not turn in
“extra” work that was not assigned and expect to get extra credit for it.
Rules:
-- Follow
directions.
-- Enter
the classroom quietly, be in your seat on time, and begin bell work/reading
assignment.
-- Be
prepared. (Arrive with paper, pencil, homework, science notebook, etc.)
-- Be
polite. (Be quiet or use an inside voice during group work. Keep your hands to
yourself. Raise your hand to speak. One person speaks at a time, etc.)
-- Be
on task and engaged. (Work on the given assignment or participate in the
current discussion.)
Consequences:
-- Eye
contact
-- Verbal
warning
-- DPS
points and / or removal from activity
-- Phone
call home
-- Students
consistently requiring some level of correction in spite of interventions (seat
changes, phone calls home, etc.) will be given a referral to the principal.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism and cheating are serious matters.
Plagiarism means copying someone else’s words, ideas, or information and
presenting it as your own work. This includes copying and printing information
from the internet and representing it as your own work. We will discuss how to
properly put other’s work in your own words and give them credit when you do
research in the library or online.
Copying or using another student’s work is also considered cheating.
School policy will be applied in cases of plagiarism and cheating.
Making Contact: bcushing@sonoranacademy.org
The most effective way to reach me
is through e-mail. I check my email several times a day, so during the school
week, you should generally receive a response within 24 hours. Emails sent on
the weekends or during school holidays will be answered on the first school day
we are back in session. You may also call the school office and leave a
message. If you would like to meet with me in person, please email to set up a
time.
Please note that this syllabus is subject to
change. Because the school’s primary goal is to maximize
student achievement, material may be added, deleted, and/or substituted at the
teacher's discretion based on individual needs, levels, and learning styles of
each class. Creative projects, written assignments, & supplemental material
may also be included throughout the year as opportunities arise.
I am looking forward to an exciting,
productive year!
Mrs. Cushing
