Welcome to 6th Grade Science!! I hope that you have been enjoying your summer vacation! Believe it or not, it is almost time to come back to school. I am so excited because we have an awesome year ahead of us! As a 6th grader, you will be exploring science more in-depth and focusing your studies in the following three branches of science: Earth, Physical, and Life. By June, you will be more than ready for the challenges of 7th grade science! What supplies do I need for science class each day? 1) Two (2) composition notebooks 2) 2-pocket folder (for science only) 3) Pencil or pen (no fluorescent or purple ink, please!)
Enclosed, you will find our classroom procedures and participation policies, as well as a science safety contract. Please read them over with your parents and sign each section where indicated. Place the signed papers into your 2-pocket folder and return them the first week of school. This will count as your first homework assignment of the year. In my class, we will be exploring topics such as matter, forces & motions, rocks, minerals, seasons of the Earth, cells, microscopes, photosynthesis, and my favorite—genetics and heredity! Of course, this is just a very general list and we will discuss many more things, but this is a great starting point‼ I look forward to getting to know you and diving into the exciting world of science together this year!! Enjoy the rest of your summer break and I will see you again August 3rd! Sincerely,
Mrs. Boggs
Labs & Class Participation Labs are a major component of our science class, as they allow you the opportunity to apply what we have learned to real-life situations and simulations. We will have many opportunities for hands-on exploration throughout the course of the school year. You will be expected to follow ALL Classroom and Lab Safety Rules. We will be discussing Classroom Rules and Lab Safety Rules over the course of the first few weeks of school, as well as reviewing them leading into each lab activity. A violation of Lab Safety Rules is grounds for an immediate office referral. All students must take safety with the utmost care and concern in our classroom--not only are you taking your own personal safety in consideration, but also the safety of our entire classroom. If you are unable to follow safety procedures, an alternative assignment will be given and you will lose credit for the lab that you missed. Class participation means that you are taking an active role in your learning, and the learning of your fellow classmates. You must pay attention and be involved in all aspects of class at all times. I will determine your class participation grade by looking for some of the following key indicators: Are you making eye contact with me or the members of your group? Is your body language positive? Are you involved in the discussion or activity?
Do you stay on task? Are you making positive contributions to our learning environment?
Each day at the start of class you will be expected to: Come in and sit down in your seat quickly and at a Level O Have your Science Notebook and agenda out and ready
Have a pencil (or pen) in your hand and answering the daily warm-up question Look at the board and record the daily assignment into your agenda book (DID: HW: )
I have read the Labs & Class Participation Policy and discussed it with my child: Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________ Date __________ Student Signature_________________________________________ Date __________
AbsenceS Whenever you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your make-up work. All missed handouts and returned papers will be kept in the blue file bin in the front of the classroom on the shelf directly below the "While You Were Out" sign (next to the Periodic Table of Elements). IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED AND TURN IN ANY MISSED ASSIGNMENTS ON THE DAY THAT THEY ARE DUE (OR THE DAY YOU RETURN, IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TURNED IN). ANY ASSIGNMENTS THAT WERE GIVEN PRIOR TO YOUR ABSENCE, WILL BE DUE IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR RETURN--YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN EXTENSIONS IF YOU ARE ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE. IF THE ASSIGNMENT WAS GIVEN IN YOUR ABSENCE, IT IS BMS SCHOOL POLICY THAT YOU HAVE HOWEVER MANY DAYS YOU WERE ABSENT TO GET YOUR MAKE-UP WORK TURNED IN. (I.E., ABSENT 3 DAYS MEANS YOU WILL HAVE 3 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF YOUR RETURN TO TURN IN ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS—IF THEY WERE ASSIGNED WHILE YOU WERE ABSENT). In order to ensure that you know what is happening while you were out, I keep an extra agenda in the binder found below the "While You Were Out" sign. It lists what we did, what papers were handed out, and any homework that may have been assigned. All extra handouts are stored in the hanging file right next to the agenda book. They will be filed according to the number listed beside the handout in the agenda. It is your responsibility to check this area any time that you are absent from my class. If you know that you are going to be absent, please see me in advance so that we can arrange for you to keep up with your studies while you are out. In-School Isolation (ISI/ISAP) and Suspensions: Students who are removed from the classroom for a behavioral issue and are placed on campus in ISI/ISAP will be provided work to complete by the teacher. It is still YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to complete the work and turn it in to the “Make-up Work to be Graded” drawer below the “While You Were Out” sign immediately upon your return to class. If you are suspended from school at any time, it is my classroom policy that you will NOT be allowed to make-up any work missed during your suspension. As a result, each activity missed will be recorded as a zero in the course grade book.
I have read the Absence Policy and discussed it with my child: Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________ Date __________ Student Signature_________________________________________ Date __________
Science Homework Policy Homework will be assigned 2-3 nights per week and will be due the next time we meet for class (unless stated otherwise in the daily agenda). It is your responsibility to complete any homework—the only reason I assign homework is for additional practice on a learning target. It is used to reinforce and practice concepts taught in class as well as to help teach responsibility. Upon missing your 3rd homework assignment, a letter will be sent home, which must be signed by both you and your parent/guardian. You are still responsible for knowing the material covered in the homework assignment not completed. Homework is an important part of science class. Students are not allowed to turn in late homework because we go over the answers in class on the date that it is due. THIS LATE POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO SCIENCE PROJECTS. All projects (including the Article Analysis or other written papers) will lose 10% for each day that it is late. We will be completing different types of projects throughout the year—sometimes to demonstrate our mastery of a learning target, and other times to exhibit cooperative learning and teamwork. We will also be writing a research paper (over a provided topic) and completing Article Analysis papers (over a selected current events article from a magazine/newspaper) throughout the school year. We will have some dedicated classtime devoted to these projects, but it is expected that students will have to complete these projects at home. Being in possession of a word processing program or computer is NOT a requirement. Papers can either be typed on computer or handwritten in blue or black ink. We will cover these projects more specifically when the time gets closer.
I have read the Science Homework Policy and discussed it with my child: Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________ Date __________ Student Signature_________________________________________ Date __________
Science Grading Policy During the school year, we will be using a grading process that is designed to give students more directed feedback about specific learning objectives. Students will know the areas that they have performed well in and the areas that need improvement. The following will outline how this grading system operates and what students can expect. o For each unit, students will receive a list of learning targets that are written in student-friendly language. These targets will specify and break down what students need to know about the “big idea” being discussed in class. Lessons and activities will explicitly focus on these learning targets and students will be able to link the target and lesson objective. Students will be assessed throughout the unit to measure their progress towards mastery of the targets. This information will provide feedback to the teacher and student on the progress being made and where to go from here. o At the end of each unit, students will be assessed on their understanding of the learning targets. Each unit assessment will be planned out so that each target is assessed an appropriate amount and in an appropriate way. The assessment will be scored and students will receive a report that indicates their performance on each of the targets (included below). The total points they earn divided by the total points possible will then determine the student’s percentage grade for the unit. Mastery—3 (Green) The student consistently meets and often exceeds the content standard. The student, with relative ease, grasps, applies, and extends key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade level. This means that a student is able to demonstrate clear and consistent understanding of the learning targets. Developing—2 (Yellow) The student regularly meets the content standard. The student, with limited errors, grasps and applies key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade level. This means that a student demonstrates understanding of the target, but does so on an inconsistent or incomplete manner. Basic—1—(Red) This student is beginning to, and occasionally does, meet the content standards, or the student is not meeting them. The student is beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes, and skills for the grade level, but produces work that contains many errors. This means that a student demonstrates a limited understanding of the target. o After receiving feedback on their performance, students will have an opportunity to receive additional practice and re-teaching on select topics in order to be able to take a second assessment. This second opportunity will allow students to show if there has been an improvement in their understanding of individual learning targets they initially had trouble with. If students show an improvement on their learning target performance, their grade will go up accordingly. If they don’t show improvement, their grade remains the same. There is not a penalty for taking longer to demonstrate competency of a learning target. o A student who still does not demonstrate acceptable understanding can request help with the learning target from the teacher. They are allowed to check their current understanding at any point during the school year, and if they choose, may take another assessment to show their understanding. Students can show comprehension of a learning target at any time after the initial unit assessment. Even if it takes them 5 months to grasp the learning target, they can re-test and improve their performance if they show the teacher that they’ve mastered it. Whenever this occurs, the student’s score on that target will be changed to reflect this new understanding and their grade will improve accordingly. This grading process allows students to have ownership of their grades. They have the opportunity to know what they need to improve on and how to improve it. Students also discover that it’s never too late to learn!
I have read the Science Grading Policy and discussed it with my child: Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________ Date __________ Student Signature_________________________________________ Date __________
Science Safety Contract PURPOSE Science, by its very nature and intent, is a hands-on laboratory class. However, science activities may have potential hazards. We will use some equipment that may be dangerous if not handled properly. Safety in the science classroom is an important part of the scientific process. To ensure a safe classroom, a list of rules has been developed and is called the Science Safety Contract. These rules must be followed at all times. Additional safety instructions will be given for each activity completed in class. No science student will be allowed to participate in science activities until this contract has been signed by both the student and a parent or guardian.
SAFETY RULES
using science materials or when working with either chemicals or animals. Wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the science room.
11. Report any accident (fire, spill, breakage, etc.), injury (cut, burn, etc.), or hazardous condition (broken equipment, etc.) to the teacher immediately.
7. Wear safety glasses when instructed. Never remove safety glasses during an experiment. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
12. Consider all chemicals used in the science room to be dangerous. Do not touch, smell or taste any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
8. Keep your work area and 3. Do not touch any the science room neat and equipment, supplies, animals, clean. Bring only your or other materials in the laboratory instructions, science room without worksheets, and writing permission from the teacher. utensils to the work area.
13. Always carry a microscope with both hands. Hold the arm with one hand; place the other hand under the base.
1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the science room. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks will not be tolerated. 2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. Ask your teacher questions if you do not understand the instructions.
4. Perform only authorized and approved experiments. Do not conduct any experiments when the teacher is out of the room.
9. Clean all work areas and equipment at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.
5. Never eat, drink, chew gum, or taste anything in the 10. Follow your teacher's science room. instructions to dispose of any waste materials 6. Keep hands away from generated in an experiment. face, eyes, and mouth while
14. Treat all preserved specimens and dissecting supplies with care and respect. a. Do not remove preserved specimens from the science room. b. Use scalpels, scissors, and other sharp tools only as instructed. c. Never cut any materials towards youalways cut away from your
body. d. Report any cut or scratch from sharp instruments to the teacher immediately. 15. Never open storage cabinets or enter the prep/storage room with permission from the teacher. 16. Do not remove chemicals, equipment, supplies, or animals from the science room without permission from the teacher. 17. Handle all glassware with care. Never pick up hot or broken glassware with your bare hands. 18. Use extreme caution when using matches, a burner, or hot plate. Only light burners when instructed and do not put anything into a flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Do not leave a lit burner unattended. 19. Dress properly-long hair must be tied back, no dangling jewelry, and no loose or baggy clothing. Wear aprons when instructed. 20. Learn where the safety equipment is located and how to use it. Know where the exits are located and what to do in case of
an emergency or fire drill. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR STUDENT: Do you wear contact lenses? YES NO Are you allergic to anything? YES
NO
If YES, please indicate any allergies: _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ Please list any concerns or things that you think I may need to be aware of in a classroom lab situation:
AGREEMENT I, __________________, have read and understand each of the safety rules set for the in this contract. I agree to follow them to ensure not only my safety, but also the safety of others in my classroom. I also agree to follow the general rules of behavior for a classroom at all times to avoid accidents and to provide a safe learning environment for everyone. I understand that if I do not follow all the safety rules and precautions, I will not be allowed to participate in science activities. ____________________ Student Signature Dear Parent/Guardian, I feel that you should be informed of the school’s effort to create and maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory environment. Please read the list of safety rules. No student will be permitted to perform science activities unless this contract is signed by both student and parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher. Your signature indicates that you have read this contract, reviewed it with your child and are aware of the measures taken to ensure the safety of your child in the science classroom. ____________________ Parent/Guardian Signatur