Community House Cavaliers 6TH Grade Science

Please email me @ [email protected]

Please visit the science website @ http://joannaburns.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ Additional Science Time: Tuesday, 8am (Please notify me Monday so that I can plan accordingly)

Curriculum Syllabus: The course is an inquiry based science class inclusive of the life, earth, and physical sciences. Required content includes the study of patterns and cycles that occur in natural and technological systems. Specific topics will include the lithosphere, cycle of matter in an ecosystem, the solar system, energy transfer, and population dynamics.

CMS course of study units are as follows: First Quarter Concentration Geological forces that shape the lithosphere Second Quarter Concentration Components of the solar system Third Quarter Concentration Heat and energy transferred within a system Fourth Quarter Concentration Organisms and their interactions within an environment

Grading, CMS academic grading is as follows: Class work / Informal Assessments 45% of quarter grade Formal Assessments 45% of quarter grade Homework 10% of quarter grade

Grading Scale 93-100 A 85-92 B 77-84 C 70-76 D 69

Extra Credit: Each student is expected to do his or her best work on each assignment. The departmental decision is not to give extra credit. We expect the best on what is assigned.

Projects: Projects will be assigned throughout the year and graded as formal assessment. Project rubrics will be sent home as project topics and dates are identified. Students are required to complete all sections of the rubric within the specified time in order to receive full credit.

Agendas: It is the requirement of students to use their agendas each class. Parents and/or guardians need to check and sign agendas on a regular basis. Teachers will periodically write comments and/or messages relating to your child’s progress and conduct. NO PAGES are to be folded and/or torn out! Students must clearly write out all assignments and/or any written material that is requested to be in the agenda by his/her teacher. Students must notify the teacher of any notes, comments, or concerns written in the agendas by parents/guardians.

Notebooks: Each student is required to have a science notebook used for science class only. They will be graded on the organization and accurate completion of the notebook. See rubric located in back of notebook for any questions. Classroom Expectations and Procedures 1) Show respect at all times 2) Be on time and prepared when class begins 3) Follow all directions given by the teacher the first time 4) Raise your hand and wait to be called on to be heard 5) Do what you know to be right

Homework (CHMS) Policy Homework is a vital extension of the classroom and is an opportunity to practice previously learned material. Students should expect a fair amount of homework daily in math, and language arts as well as science and social studies. Students are held responsible for accuracy and completion of homework assignments. All homework assigned is due the next class period. The students must be present in class the day the homework is assigned to be held accountable for the next day turn-in. If a student was in class the day the homework was assigned, and does not turn the homework at the time that it is due, the student will receive a zero. When the student turns in the assignment after the due date, late must be written at the top and the grade will be a 60%.

Absent Policy If a student is absent it is required that they get any missing assignments/classwork from the day(s) they missed class and complete it for the following class period. The assignment(s) must be completed within 5 days of returning to school. I strongly suggest checking the website to see what was missed. Lab partners will also be a good resource for when you are gone, and I have a master notebook students can check. The student is responsible for showing all absent work to Mrs. Burns for credit.

Assignment Policy All assignments are due on the assigned date. The student will be graded based upon the effort that they put into their work.

Correction Policy If the student receives a failing grade on a test or quiz, they may fix the problems that they missed and earn partial credit back (up to a 77%) for the correct answers. Correction procedure handout in notebook.

Sharpening Your Pencil 1. Have at least 3-5 sharpened pencils at the beginning of the day. 2. You may not sharpen your pencil while an adult is talking or instructing. 3. If you need a pencil during the day you may ask another student to borrow one. 4. If there are no pencils to borrow see Mrs. Burns.

Bathroom/Water Procedure Only when emergencies arise and student must use agenda for a hall pass. You may not use the Restroom/Water while instruction is being given (unless absolute emergency). Do to school safety you may not leave the classroom during the first or the last 10 minutes of class 1. Fill out agenda 2. Ask your teacher 3. Get signature from your teacher

Daily Class Procedure 1. Line up out/side the door 2. Enter the room quickly and quietly 3. Take out science materials and clear off desk 4. Read the board 5. Record homework in agenda 6. Complete page set up 7. Write down objective 8. Complete warm up 9. Wait quietly/read until Mrs. Burns gives further instructions