SCIENCE

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) guide our exploration of the world around us in our 6th grade science classroom. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore problems, gather evidence, and support scientific claims during in class labs and investigations.  Students will begin the year by learning to work collaboratively in teams as they explore basic engineering problems before moving on to exploring energy and its various forms. We will then learn how energy effects weather and climate around the world. In the spring we will be looking at patterns and functions in molecules and organisms.

 

Students will be given a science notebook that will be used to record their observations and evidence in each activity.  The notebook will also provide a space for vocabulary and graphic notes. In addition, students will need a science folder or section of their binder in order to organize articles, review guides, and other materials during each unit so that they can easily prepare for quizzes.  There are no Quiz Corrections for science.

 

Much of our work will be done in class; however, it may be necessary to complete some assignments at home.  It is very important for students to find a time outside of the class period to discuss and make up any missed work during an absence.

 

Labs and hands on activities are an important part of our science program.  Lab safety will be covered in class and students are expected to follow the correct protocols.  Labs can be lots of fun, but if students choose to engage in off task behavior, “horseplay”, or defy direct instructions given by the teacher, they will be removed from the lab.  Inappropriate behavior may result in a loss of points for that lab, a written assignment in place of the next lab, or other consequences.

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Grading:

The cumulative quarter grade will be calculated as follows:

 

  40%   Assessments

  60%   Practice

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100-90% = A          89-80% = B          79-70% = C          69-60% = D          <59% = F

MATH

In 6th Grade we will be studying general math, expanding on our algebra readiness skills that were introduced in elementary school.  Topics include ratios, understanding fraction operations, two-dimensional geometry, computing with decimals and percents, variables and patterns, statistics, and more!

 

Note-taking books will be provided to each student.  Careful and thoughtful note taking is an essential part of our mathematics program.  Our notebooks are designed to be the primary resource for students as they try new problems during homework and as they prepare for quizzes and assessments. During class time, we model what the notebook should look like for vocabulary and problem set up, monitor progress as students explore the lesson problems, and highlight important parts during the summary discussion.

 

Homework is typically assigned 3- 4 days a week in order to further develop skills introduced in class. Homework should be kept in an organized manner such as a dedicated math folder or math section of a binder. Each homework assignment is to be completed the day it is assigned.  As a class we will discuss the previous night’s homework, but we generally do not collect homework until the end of an Investigation (1-2 weeks).  At that time, we look for completion of problems, corrections, and evidence of learning.  This delay in collecting homework allows for students to correct mistakes, ask questions, catch up from an absence, and further develop their knowledge of the concept being taught.  

 

Successful math students will...

1. Keep all homework in a folder; use the list on the board to check that you have the work complete and organized for the end of the Investigation when it will be collected.

2. Correct the homework with the class.  Instead of just marking a problem wrong, take the time to fix your work. Ask questions and seek extra help.

3. Be responsible after an absence by meeting with the teacher, getting missed notes, asking questions, and completing the missed homework problems. *Remember that notes and homework are posted on the class website, so you can get caught up while you are out.

4. Participate in class. We are all here to learn together—join in the discussion!

 

Assessments

Each math unit will have a cumulative test as well as a quiz at the end of each investigation (about 3-4 investigations per unit).  Students may use their notebooks on all math assessments.  As we want all students to achieve mastery with the skills presented, one retake will be offered for each quiz (not final tests).

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Math Help

Drop-in Math Help will be held on Thursdays from 3:00-3:30 in Room 602. Math Help is an excellent time to ask questions about problems or concepts that a student finds confusing. I am usually available at other times as well-- please just ask! We hope you take advantage of this time!

 

Grading:

Your assignments are broken up into four categories each having a weighted percentage of your total grade:

• Practice is worth 40% (class notebooks, projects, and homework)

• Assessments are worth 60%

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Grading Scheme:

100-90% = A          89-80% = B          79-70% = C          69-60% = D          <59% = F

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Class Policies:​

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Please see the student planner for the campus rules.  The tardy policy is that students must be in their seats when the bell rings.  Due to the ant problem, there is no food or drink allowed in the classroom, with the exception of water bottles.  There are no drinking fountains in rooms 602 and 603.

 

Student work must meet the guidelines of the Diablo View Paper Policy (correct heading, no torn/crumpled papers, math showing work and in pencil).  Work that does not meet these guidelines may be given back to the student to be redone appropriately.

 

Late work will be accepted as follows:

• Work turned in after the due date is considered late, except if absent on the assigned date or due date.  

• If absent on the day assigned, or the day due, a student will have 1 day for each day of absence. Extended absences will be handled on an individual basis.  Please turn in your absent assignments in a timely manner.

• Students will receive 3 late passes to be used in Quarter 1. Late passes may be used on either math or science assignments.  

• Unexcused (non-absent) late work will be given no more than 50% credit.

• Students have up to one week to get late work turned in.  After one week, no credit will be given.

 

Organization and Communication

Students are expected to use their planners every day.  We will work with students to support them in the use of their planners.  Systems are also set up in each classroom to assist students with making up missed class work and homework.

 

Grades can be checked on HomeLink.  The grading system will be updated when I have completed the grading for the assignments, usually once a week.  Late work, either excused or unexcused, may appear in HomeLink as “missing” (orange square) as it was not turned in with the on-time papers.  As late work may require extra time to grade, HomeLink will be updated for these assignments upon completion of the grading.  If you have not already picked up your student’s registration information for HomeLink, you can do so in the office.

 

Class Expectations:

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Students will …

• Be respectful to themselves, the teacher, other students, guests, and the environment around them.

• Be prepared by bringing all needed supplies to school each day and doing the assigned work to the best of their abilities and on time.

• Be organized by using their planners and organization systems.

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Academic Integrity Policy:

Students are expected to do their own work. This includes classwork and homework. Just copying 1 answer is still cheating, as is using another’s words without citation. Copied work will be confiscated; you and the student you are copying from will receive a 0. Please review Academic Integrity section of the student handbook.

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Class Materials:

DISCLAIMER: Please note that you or your student is not required to purchase, donate, or contribute any of the requested items on the school supply list(s).  However, if you voluntarily decide to purchase, donate or contribute any of the requested supplies and provide them to your student’s teacher(s), the supplies will be shared equally among all the students in the class in order for each student to participate in the planned, fun, academic activities.

 

We recommend each student have in their backpack:

 

• Pencils, eraser                                         ♦ Black or blue ball point pens

• Colored erasable pens                              ♦ Highlighter

• Fine/ultra fine black marker                      ♦ Colored pencils

(not a permanent marker)                               ♦ Glue sticks

• Kleenex                                                  ♦ Lined paper

• Ruler                                                      ♦ Hand-held sharpener that catches shavings

• Scissors

 

The following supplies are ones that we need throughout the year.  If you are able to donate the following to our class, it would be greatly appreciated.

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• Kleenex                                                   ♦ Highlighters

• Glue sticks                                               ♦ Thin black white board markers

• Graph paper

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