6 th Grade Science Syllabus Southshore Charter Academy Big Bend Road Riverview, FL (813) (telephone) (813) (fax)

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1 6 th Grade Science Syllabus Southshore Charter Academy Big Bend Road Riverview, FL (813) (telephone) (813) (fax) Instructor: Dr. Teresa Martin Class website: sca6gradescience.weebly.com Course Description: This course is designed to help students improve their vocabulary, reading comprehension, and inquiry skills in science. This course helps students develop the skills needed to be successful in reading for understanding/comprehension of science content. Required Materials: Each student must have the following basic supplies every day for class work. Some will be kept in the classroom, others will be brought to class daily. 1. Pencils - regular (sharpened), NO mechanical pencils are allowed! 2. Hand Sharpener with lid 3. Pens (red ballpoint) to be used for scoring classwork and tests Composition Books: Lab/Inquiry Activities (remains in the classroom), Science Vocabulary (taken home each day), Journal/Notes (taken home each day) 5. 1 binder with 5 dividers (taken home each day): (Classroom Discipline/Syllabus), (Reading Selections), (Graphic Organizers), (Scored Work), (Grades) 6. Sheet Protectors (to place papers in 1 binder (you ll want to start off with 50 sheet protectors, knowing that more might be required later in the school year) 7. 2-reams of white printer paper (500 sheets each) 8. 1-ream of white cardstock; 1 ream of light-colored cardstock (250 sheets each) 9. flash drive 10. Lab Safety Goggles with ANSI Z87 stamped on them 11. Color Pencils 12. Southshore Charter Academy Agenda Goals: Our goal for 6th grade science is to teach students how to read, interpret, and utilize science literature in classwork, on tests, and in science process activities. Methods: We will use the school-approved textbooks, supplemented with other appropriate materials. Class time will include a mixture of discussions, examples, group activities, note-taking skills, and relevant assignments. We will incorporate many Kagan Strategies and Marzano Strategies while we learn. Subject Matter to be covered: Nature of Science: the Science Process and Scientific Investigation Earth Science: Constructive and Destructive Forces Earth s Landforms Heat Transfer in the Environment

2 Water Cycle Impact on Weather and Climate Impacts of the Sun s Energy, Jet Stream and Ocean Currents on Weather and Climate Interactions of Earth s Five Spheres Impacts of Natural Disasters Human Interventions for Protection from Hazardous Weather and the Sun Earth s Natural Protection by Our Atmosphere Physical Science: Law of Conservation of Energy Graphing Speed Forces types of forces, balanced and unbalanced forces Law of Gravity and Gravitational Force Life Science: Organization of Life Cell Theory Cellular Homeostasis Cell Organelles Human Body Systems Infectious Diseases/Agents Classification of Organisms Course Requirements: 1. Attendance: It is important that you arrive to class on time. I will strictly enforce the SCA tardy policy. *Remember, 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence. Tardies will be handled as a disciplinary action. 2. Class Participation: The success of this course depends upon all of us. Class participation includes sharing your ideas and information, asking questions, and listening carefully to others when they are speaking. We will practice Accountable Talk and Kagan Strategies. 3. Graded Assignments (Mastery): Completion of assignments is essential to your progress in this course. Please complete all assignments on time and ask for help when needed. Graded assignments may include class activities, group activities, and independent work, as well as, unit tests. 4. Check Assignments (Practice): Some assignments will be credited with checks which are included as part of your class participation grade. Check assignments include journal writing assignments, independent reading, exit activities and a few exercises from the text materials. You will receive full credit for these assignments if you complete the assignment according to directions. 5. Homework: Students will receive homework throughout the school year to complete. 6. Tests: Students will be given unit tests on the materials covered. The revision sheets will be posted on the class website at least a week prior to the test. 7. Quizzes: Students will be given spiral quizzes periodically throughout the year. These will cover material that was tested on the FCAT 2.0 for 5 th grade science and all the material we ve covered throughout the year. 8. Inquiry/Lab Activities: Students are required to participate in labs that include inquiry, skills practice, and/or model making. 9. Projects: Students will be assigned projects to complete in school. These may not be completed at home. 10. Science Fair Project: Students must complete a science fair project that is experimental in nature, not a research project. Information will be provided as soon as it becomes available from CSUSA Corporate Headquarters. 11. Final Exam At the end of the school year, students will take a final exam consisting of the materials learned throughout the school year. Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Honesty Academic honesty means that the work you turn in is your own, and that you have, in no way turned in work, which you did not do.

3 Grading Standards Mastery = 100% of your grade Grading scale for 2011/12: = A = B = C = D 59 or below = F Conduct: Your behavior in the classroom reflects not only on your performance, but also on every other student s performance. It is imperative that you follow not only the school rules, but the classroom rules as well. Behavior Expectations These expectations are associated with your behavior choices. Remember, choices result in either positive or negative consequences, therefore choose wisely. 1. Please use appropriate language (e.g. cursing is inappropriate, saying please and thank you and yes, ma am are appropriate). 2. Be in your assigned seat and ready to work when class starts. 3. Bring required books and materials to every class, unless told otherwise by the teacher. 4. Listen, stay seated, and follow directions the first time they are given. 5. Bullying is not allowed; treat everyone and their property respectfully (e.g. refrain from inappropriate physical contact, destroying property, and verbal abuse). 6. Cell phones and other electronic devices in class are strictly prohibited. You will turn off your cell phone and place it in your assigned slot. If it vibrates, rings, buzzes, or in any other way goes off in class, it will be turned in to the office. 7. You are not allowed to eat, drink, or chew gum in class. In order to maintain a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning, the following rules are vital and must be followed. Classroom Expectations: 1. Arrive on time and prepared for class. 2. As soon as you enter the classroom, start on the Do Now Assignment. 3. Raise your hand and wait for permission from the teacher to speak. Use the appropriate Hand Signals! 4. Remain in your seat unless given permission to get up. 5. Follow instructions the first time they are given. 6. Refrain from eating, drinking or chewing gum in classroom. 7. Refrain from using cell phones or other electronic devices during class. 8. Please use appropriate language (e.g. cursing is inappropriate, please and thank you are appropriate). Above all else, make sure you are ALWAYS RESPECTFUL AND COURTEOUS TO YOUR TEACHERS AND PEERS. Consequences: 1st offense: Reminding of the rules (Verbal Warning) and Redirection (logical consequence) 2nd offense: Redirection / Phone call home 3rd offense: Redirection / Phone call home / Written referral Note: Students must comply with all rules specified in the Southshore Charter Academy Student Handbook.

4 Detention Policy: Students who are issued a detention are required to report to the appropriate classroom on the assigned date. A copy of each detention slip will be sent home to parents and must be signed and returned to the teacher who issued the detention the next day. Please make proper arrangements for your student in the event he/she needs to serve a detention. Students will not be permitted to serve detentions without a signed detention form. Detentions are now on Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. If the form is not returned, lunch detention or classroom seating changes will be used. Class Change Procedures: Students are asked to stand in a straight line outside of the classroom door. When the teacher opens the classroom door, students may enter the classroom. At the end of the class period, students will be dismissed when all materials are put away, the classroom is clean and orderly, and the students are seated and quiet. The classroom teacher dismisses students not the clock. 5 SCA Rules: 1. Follow directions quickly. 2. Raise hand for permission to speak. 3. Raise hand for permission to move out of seat. 4. Make smart choices. 5. Treat your teacher and all others with respect. Specific Classroom Procedures: 1. Please do not bring food, drink, or gum into the classroom. 2. All cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and in their assigned slot before class starts. 3. Calmly enter the room, go to your assigned table/seat, take out your materials and begin working on the Do Now Assignment. 4. At the conclusion of class, be sure to clean up your workspace, the floor, and return any materials you may have used in their proper place. 5. All students must be quiet and in their seats before they will be dismissed! Expectations: I believe that every student can and will learn, and I expect and will not accept anything but the best out of each and every student in which I instruct. Failure in this class is not an option! **This syllabus is tentative and may be subject to change.

5 Permission to be Photographed or Filmed Throughout the school year, the teacher may wish to use your child s photograph, voice or student work for promotional and educational reasons, such as in publications, posters, brochures and newsletters; on the district web site, radio station or Cable TV channel; or at community fairs or other special district events. Before your child s photograph or voice can be used by the teacher, media or by the school district, you must give your permission. Please sign below whether the teacher, district and/or the media have permission to use your child s photograph, student work or voice for promotional and educational purposes. Thank you for your cooperation. I give my permission that my child may be filmed/photographed/interviewed by the teacher and/or media during academic school events and for the district to use my child s photograph/work/voice for promotional and educational purposes. I do not give my permission for my child to be filmed/photographed/interviewed by the teacher and/or media during academic school events for the district to use my child s photograph/work/voice for promotional and educational purposes. Parent/Guardian Signature Date: Student s name (please print) Syllabus By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read/understand the sixth grade science syllabus for Dr. Martin s class. Student Name: Period: Student Signature: Date: Parent Signature: Date: Clearly print your address for the weekly 6 th grade science newsletter.