Course Syllabus

6^th Grade Earth Science

Mrs. Hedger

hedger.teresa.a@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Online Textbook NOT THE ONE THE STUDENTS HAVE!

Holt_Student_Edition Earth Science.pdf

 

Join our class Remind group: text the class code  @56dd  to  81010 or enter the class code in the app

Link to class Quizlet:  https://quizlet.com/join/8ynvT4jhw

Link to Readworks: https://www.readworks.org/student-authentication

     Readworks Class Codes:

        4th period - A6CV65

        5th Period - VVV6VK

        6th Period - G7MNCS

Supplement to the Earth Science Textbook:

http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?wcprefix=cpk&wcsuffix=1001&area=view&x=12&y=17

Course description:  This class will cover Earth Science concepts including, but not limited to, meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, resources, and human impact on the earth. Earth Science is a laboratory course and adherence to lab safety rules is expected and required for participation.

Class expectations and Code of Conduct:  All students will:

(1)  Be on time and prepared for class

(2)  Follow all instructions given by the teacher the first time

(3)  Behave respectfully, responsibly and refrain from class disruptions

(4)  Complete all work to the best of their ability

(5)  Follow all school rules

(6)  Cooperate and encourage classmates

I expect you to act in a mature manner and treat everyone with the same respect you would like given to you.  Remember everyone learns differently and at different paces.

Class Remind group:  I utilize the Remind app which allows me to send out quick information and documents while keeping users’ phone numbers private.  Please text the number at the top of the syllabus to join the class group. This and email are the best ways to communicate with me outside of school, however please allow 24 hours for me to respond. 

Class website:  Please get in the habit of regularly checking in Canvas for the websites of all of your classes (found on the Muscogee County School District Website.)

Daily materials:  You will need to bring to class each day your binder, your textbook (unless told otherwise), and supplies (pens, pencils, markers/colored pencils, etc.).  Other materials may be requested throughout the term.  Make sure you bring your planner/agenda to class every day – it is vital to maintaining organization!

Grade determination, Assignments and Absences:  Get in the habit of checking student portal for your grades or to see if you are missing any work!  If it says it is missing I do not have it! Copies of some assignments will be available by logging into Canvas.

**Please note that students who wish to be considered for top 6^th grade science student at the end of the year must compete in the school science fair.                        

Presentation of material will most often be through a combination of Cornell Notes, hands on exploration, lecture, and group work. Classwork, brain bites quizzes, reviews, observations, and discussions are also used in the process of assessing student understanding.  It is important that I get accurate assessments of concept mastery therefore it is important for you to complete all assignments given.  Learning is ultimately the student’s responsibility, and as your teacher, I will provide instruction, materials, explanations, practice instruments, tutoring, and individual help, if needed.  Not all assignments will be collected for a grade.  Any work that is collected needs to be placed in the designated tray.

Your assignments will fall into one of two categories and have the following weights assigned for calculating overall course grade:

35% Formative

65% Summative

For the most part, assignments are graded as follows:

• CN: Cornell Notes (25 points)
• CAKE: Content and Knowledge Essentials weekly reviews (50 points)
• SS: Smart Starts warm ups (25 points)
• SEP: Science and Engineering Practices activities (points vary 25-100 points)
• XP: Experience Points weekly participation grades for correctly following routines, class/school policies, instructions, preparedness, proper behavior and participation (50 points)
• BBQ: Brain Bites Quizzes (25-100 points)
• Tests/Major Projects (200 points)

You will always be given advance notice of major TESTS.  Keep up with the dates on your calendar.  QUIZZES may consist of (but are not limited to): vocabulary, performance-based, multiple choice, true/false, ticket out the door, completion or oral response.  Formal lab reports will be completed each semester.

It is the student’s responsibility, NOT the teacher’s, to make arrangements for make-up work, however it is not appropriate to interrupt instructional class time to do this. There will be a designated space in the room which you will find your makeup work set aside for you.  The number of days allowed to complete make-up work will not exceed the number of days absent. If you are absent on an assignment’s due date (except for major projects), it will be due on the date you return to school.  If you miss a LAB, it may not be possible for you to make it up and an alternate assignment may be given.  If you miss a TEST, it must be made up WITHIN ONE WEEK.  Dates for make-up QUIZZES and TESTS should be scheduled with the teacher for a mutually acceptable time and should ideally be before or after school.  Missing assignments will be recorded as a zero until they are made up. HOMEWORK assignments checked for completion and then reviewed/or passed back will NOT be accepted late.

Notebooks and Graded work:  I will suggest notebook organization strategies at the beginning of the year but it will be up to you to maintain what works best for you.  The most successful students are the ones who have material to study.  You are welcome to stay after school for additional assistance in organization.  All graded work will be returned for review but it is HIGHLY recommended that you keep up with it so you will have it as a complete course review before state testing at the end of the year. As I return papers, I will allow some time to properly file and organize your returned work in your binder.

Movie Permission: I would like to show films occasionally during the year that relate to our curriculum.

Please sign the movie permission separately on the last page of this syllabus in order for your child to watch the films. Students not having permission on file will be given alternate work to complete in lieu of the movie as it relates to the topic of the film.

Tardies/ leaving class:  Students coming to class late without a pass will be marked tardy in accordance with the handbook. All messes will be cleaned up and materials returned to their correct location before being dismissed. Please use the restroom between classes to minimize lost instructional time. Leaving the room in the middle of instruction will not be permitted unless it is an absolute emergency.

There is a lot of learning from hands on/minds on activities, and not just from reading and listening. When you are doing something during class or a lab, make sure you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it.