SIXTH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE

The sixth grade science course is devoted to providing the student with an integrated, introductory exposure to general science with a strong concentration in Earth Science.

The hope is that the student will develop an even stronger appreciation for our Earth as the basic skills of investigation, processes and procedures necessary to more closely examine subject topics are learned.

OBJECTIVES

1. To introduce the basic concepts of Earth Science;

2. To develop a solid base for logical, critical thinking and problem solving, as well as a sense of responsibility to reasonably question what is not understood;

3. To encourage the students natural inquisitiveness about all aspects of their world and an innate desire to seek answers to questions unknown;

4. To begin the process of using and understanding the basic lab procedures and formats.

5. To develop reading, writing, organizational and research skills.

6. To introduce and develop scientific skills which builds a solid foundation for the following years of the science curriculum.

7. To develop a local and global appreciation for the environment.

SCOPE

Scientific Method

School Yard Habitat

Science Day Event
Dissection (example: owl pellets)

NASA’s Classroom of the Future (COTF) modules

NASA’s Exploring the Environment (ETE) modules

Earth Science Topics: Earth’s Surface

Earth’s Surface Energy/Water

Rocks/Minerals Oceans

Plate Tectonics Atmosphere

Earthquakes/Volcanoes Weather/Climate

Weathering/Erosion Earth, Moon, Sun, Solar System

Geologic Time Stars, Galaxies, Universe

TEXT

Earth Science 2004 Edition Prentice Hall

GRADING POLICY

All work, whether it is daily homework, classwork, fieldwork, a report, a special assignment (COTF/ETE), a research paper, a lab, a project, or the assignments for Science Day have significance and are looked upon equally by this instructor. Words spelled incorrectly will be marked wrong on all assignments including quizzes and tests.

Homework/Participation = 20%
Quizzes = 20%
Tests/Projects = 30%
Labs/Outdoor Education = 30%

The 4-Point Rubric Scale is used as a grading criteria tool for assessment of fieldwork reports, COTF assignments, research papers, lab reports, project, and Science Day assignments.

4-Point Rubric Scale for Grading Criteria.

4 Superior: The student’s work demonstrated a complete mastery of the objective(s) and/or produced a product of high quality adhering accurately to the specified directions/guidelines.  90-100 points = A 

3  Acceptable: The student’s work demonstrated an acceptable level of mastery of the objective(s) and/or produced a product of acceptable quality adhering close to the specified directions/guidelines.  80-89 points = B

2  Limited: The student’s work demonstrated a limited or unsatisfactory level of mastery of the objective(s) and/or produced a product of limited quality which showed evidence of failing to follow the specified directions/guidelines.
70-79 points = C

1  Marginal: The student’s work demonstrated a marginal or rudimentary understanding of, or progress toward, the objective(s) and/or produced a product of rudimentary quality which showed evidence of failure to follow the specified directions/guidelines. 60-69 points = D

0 Unsatisfactory: The student did not respond to the task.
Note: The student is still required to complete the work. Zero points = F

DAILY HOMEWORK
On all assignments please write the following on the Top Left Hand Corner of the Paper.
Student's First and Last Name
Teacher's Name
Class and Period
Date
Daily homework is due the following class day.
Students who are absent are given a one-day homework makeup time for each day that they were absent A student will not receive credit for late homework. This policy is approved by the Science Department Chair and the Middle School Head. Students should not use wikipedia for research as this is not a credible source.
Note: The student is still required to complete the late homework. 
Homework and all assignments are posted on the classroom board.
Students are required to write these assignments in a daily planner.

At the end of each day assignments are posted to the Queen Anne School Homework web page for parents and students to easily access. Students are not to e-mail attachments of homework or assignments to Ms. York unless specifically requested to do so (e.g. Cyberdays). Students are to turn in hard copies of their work not e-mail attachments.

Students who do not turn in homework or assignments are required to attend G Day tutorials.
Students who continually do not turn in homework or assignments even after attending tutorials will eat lunch and then work on missing assignments in my classroom. A student will not receive credit for late homework, but still needs to do the assignment in order for the student to build a strong foundation in science. Please see long-term assignment policy below.



Absences: Students who are absent are required to make an appointment with Ms. York to learn the material that they missed. Ms. York is available during lunch recess or at 3:30 p.m. by appointment. Tutorial sessions are on G Days during morning break. Students have one day per each day that they were absent to make up homework and tests. However, long-term assignments are due on the day the student returns to school from having been absent.

Students need to follow laboratory safety guidelines both in the classroom and in the field. Students not following proper guidelines will be assigned a written activity to complete while others continue with the work. The student must complete missed laboratory and fieldwork following the daily homework/long-term assignment policy.

LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Long-term assignments (examples: COTF, ETE, Science Day work) have a scheduled Due Date.

Long-term assignments are to be received on the scheduled Due Date.

Late long-term assignments will have five points deducted for each late day received during the first week of the assignment being due. No long-term assignments will be received after that time and the grade of zero is recorded.

Absences: Long-term assignments are due on the day the student returns to school from having been absent. Students who continually do not turn in long term assignments will be required to work on these assignments during G Day tutorials or in my classroom after they have eaten lunch.

EXTRA CREDIT POLICY

No extra credit is given outside of the curriculum.

TEST, EXAMS, QUIZ POLICY
The Honor Code must be written along with the student's signature on all quizzes, tests, and examinations. Only students with documented learning disabilities are given extra time on a test, exam or quiz. This documentation must be on file at Queen Anne School.

The student has the entire class time to complete the test and if extra time is needed the students remains to complete the test. If a student is in the health room, but remains in school the test must be taken the same day. If a student is absent, the test is taken on the day they return.

Pop quizzes will be given at the discretion of the instructor.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

All Rules, Regulations and Guidelines found in the Queen Anne School Handbooks are followed. All rules posted in my classroom are to be followed regarding classroom management, laboratory safety, directions for test taking, etc.
Students are reminded that no coats or hats are to be worn during class. Students should bring a sweater or sweatshirt that meets the regulations of the Queen Anne School Dress Code policy.
Students are to bring their textbook and supplies to class each day.
Students are not to return to the locker room once class has begun as it disrupts class as well as other classes; especially classes held in the locker room area.
OSHA guidelines mandate that it is prohibited to apply makeup, use chapstick, apply lotions, insert contact lenses, brush hair, eat food in a lab room, etc. These items will be taken from the students. From time to time OSHA representatives make unannounced visits to labs imposing fines for not following OSHA rules and regulations. Students must ahere to these rules.

Prepared. Bring all materials and supplies needed for class.

Respect. Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher and everyone at school.

One. One person talking at a time.

Manners. Proper manners are required.

Please Please tidy your work area and push in your chair.

Teacher Teacher raises her hand signals all to stop talking and listen for directions.

MATERIALS

Text book, covered (book will be provided)
Science Section in a multi-subject binder

Loose-leaf notebook paper. (no spiral notebooks)

Index Cards (200 3x5 index cards to use for making science term flashcards)

Yellow Highlighter

Ruler

Eraser (white art gum eraser)

Pencil sharpener (small)

Colored pencils (large box) (one box for classroom and one box at home)

Number 2 pencils sharpened with erasers. (no mechanical pencils)
Pens (dark blue or black ink only) (no erasable pens)

Only dark blue or black ink will be accepted for assignments, planners, tests and quizzes.

No White Out (correction fluid or correction tape) is not permitted on any assignment, test or work done by my students. Tests, quizzes and work having white out on them will not be accepted and equal zero.
Orange Vest (students may borrow a vest)
Gardening gloves (students may borrow gardening gloves stored in classroom)

Additional supplies may be needed for activities. Instructor will request those supplies as they are needed. 

CLARIFICATION/QUESTIONS

Every attempt is made to answer each student’s question/s during class time. Yet, it is not always possible to answer each question during class nor to answer it as thoroughly as possible during class time; especially with more involved projects. I, therefore, encourage the student to meet with me at a time when we can fully discuss the question. Students are given complete directions and guidelines to follow for all aspects of the course. The instructor will provide a rubric, a guideline, a packet or directions (handout or posted on the board) for the student to follow when completing work. Assignments are posted to the Queen Anne School web page.

I periodically set aside time to conduct brief group meetings during class. Students will be advised of times that I am free during the school day to meet with them. I am available during the scheduled tutorial time to meet with students.

I can be reached at my e-mail address, myork@queenanne.org. I check e-mail messages throughout the day and I will respond as soon as possible Reaching me by e-mail will get the fastest response. My voice mail extension is #414. If I do not return your call, e-mail, or correspondence that means that it may not have been received.

Syllabus Subject To Change.