Welcome to Grade 6 Science!

Course Organization
The design of this course is based on principles of Understanding by Design. The basic idea is that the end result is the starting point, and all work will lead up to the competencies that we expect of all our sixth grade scientists.

Unit Goals
Under Big Ideas the course is organized into units of study. This is where the focus of your studies will narrow. Each unit will have goals that I have for you as a scientist. Students will keep track of their science skills to monitor their development. For example, our first unit will be called Diversity of Life. These are some of the understandings that youll want to achieve by the units end: The common characteristics of living things include growth, need for nutrition, exchange of gases, response to stimulus, reproduction, need for water, elimination of waste, and the presences of cells. Organisms can be classified according to set criteria based on structure and function. Multi-cellular organisms have levels of organization of structure and function.

Big Ideas
Science can be a powerful tool for solving problems in the world around us. Science is a logical way to analyze and solve problems. Science always makes sense. To use it, one needs to understand the nature of Science and how to apply it fairly.

General Information
If you need extra help with the work we are doing in class, or have questions about any homework, you must do something about it.

Find a time to meet with me, get help from a friend or find a tutor. I will try to do whatever it takes to help you learn and I encourage you to do the same. I encourage you to take responsibility for your learning and communicate with me when you are experiencing difficulties. I want you to advocate for yourself, and be confident with your knowledge, check for your own understanding, and give your point of view.

I encourage my students to:

1.) Be curious. Wonder, observe, share your ideas, and ask questions like how does this work? 2.) Respect your classmates and teacher. Learn from others and help them learn or teach. 3.) Pay attention. Listen to teachers, students, books, videos and things happening in experiments. They will help you understand your world. 4.) Follow directions. If you follow directions, you will not waste your time and be safer during experiments. 5.) Do your best. Do not think of study as a duty, but the enviable opportunity to learn -Albert Einstein. What we mean is that dont do something for the sake of doing it, think of it as an opportunity to make yourself more knowledgeable about the world around you.

Supporting Textbook
We will be using a variety of materials to support the curriculum and our primary text will be the Pearson Online series. It is a group of 5 books, but I encourage all students to use the online portal. Everyone will be given access to the online text book, but if internet connection is not reliable at your house, you may check out an actual book. I discourage students from bringing books to class, as well have a class set, and book pages available through the computers. The books do contain some good demonstrations, but they are all available online as well. ESL students may choose to have a book of their own.

Supply List
___ One hardcover 3-ring Binder with dividers (colored tabs too!) ___ Loose, lined notebook paper to be placed inside your binder ___ Water bottle to save on trips to the hall bottle (especially important in hot weather-- your brain works better when hydrated!!!) Remember to fill up your water bottle as needed in-between classes and during breaks (AM Break and Lunch). Closable pencil case with the following items inside: ___ Pens: 2 black, 2 blue, and 2 red ___ Pencils: 2-3 (with extra lead if theyre mechanical) ___ Erasers (the ones on the pencils never last long enough!)

___ Highlighters (2-3 different colors would be helpful) ___ Small ruler (6 inches/15 centimeters)

Grading
The students grade in science will be made up of four different sections. These sections will make it easier for us to identify areas that your child can improve upon. The areas are: Formative Assessments Online learning assignments through Pearson online. (We feel that such activities are early in the learning process where students have not had much exposure to learning benchmarks. We use formative assessments to help remediate understanding and these assignments are reported in the grade book, but have a weighting of 0%) Mid-Stage Assessments Quizzes

0%

10%

Scientific Inquiry In class labs (individual or group) Projects Presentations

40%

Knowledge and Understanding Tests

50%

Summative Labs

Homework
Formative assessments are graded on a three point evaluation rubric. They are as follows: 3 points: Meets all expectations. You work is complete. Your answers are mostly correct but may have a few small mistakes. You work and explanation show that you understand ideas. 2 points: Meets some expectations. You have finished your assignment, but it is messy, or has many mistakes. It is difficult to read. You did not give enough of an explanation.

1 point: Does not meet expectations. Your work is incomplete and/or you are missing many important parts. You did not explain your answers. 0 points: You did not turn in your work, or have completed less than 50% of the assignment.

Missing Work
If a student has not completed an assignment on time, the following actions will be taken. 1. The student will receive a 0 for the missing work and it will remain until the assignment is turned in. 2. The student will make up the work in class or during morning break, lunch break or after school. 3. After completing the assignment, the score is entered, but will not be deflated (lowered to indicate lateness). It will be marked as late 4. The parent and school counselor will be notified to the late assignment. If subsequent infractions happen, the student will write their parents to explain reasons why the assignments have been late. 5. Further infractions may result in a meeting with parents and school administration.

Retests

What happens when you dont do as well as youd like to on a test? The following describes our philosophy about retesting: In every aspect of our program, middle school teachers strive to fulfill the ESLR of Academic Excellence and through appropriate goal setting and diligence, develop a good sense of self through work habits. All assessments leading up to the summative assessment are to prepare students with the ability to independently understand science as a process. The opportunity to retest is not a right, but a privilege. While we may deny students the opportunity to retest, we never deny the opportunity to relearn and reteach important math concepts. Through and through, our aim is to help students achieve academic excellence through a good sense of self.

Class Work and Homework

All assignments are posted on Moodle and solutions are posted in class for help. Please keep up with work. Most of my students that have struggled in the past on summative assessments are students that were negligent in their homework. Although it may be hard, there are many opportunities to get help, in and out of class. ASK QUESTIONS WHEN YOU DONT UNDERSTAND!

If a student does not turn in homework, they will be required to make it up during morning or lunch break, after school, and the student will write a letter home to the parent home explaining why it was not finished.

Helpful Websites
Pearson Online Learning: (Learning Tutorials) https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp Moodle (Assignments, resources, due dates) http://learning.ssis.edu.vn/ Classroom Blog (News about what is happening in the classroom) http://blog.ssis.edu.vn/gjohnston/

Office Hours
I will be available in room 201 before school from 7:30 to 8:00 every day. If it is an emergency and you need to contact me outside of office hours I can be reached at the following: Mr. Johnston gjohnston@ssis.edu.vn cell: 090 968 1530 Write 2 Questions that you have if any that I can discuss with your child: 1.) 2.)

I have read the Grade 6 Science Guidelines And am comfortable with the teachers expectations
Students name:__________________________________ Class:______________ Students Signature_______________________________ Date:______________ Parents Signature________________________________ Date:______________