Sixth Grade Science Syllabus
2007-2008 School Year
Alamo Heights Junior School
Miss. Rangel Mrs. McCallister Mrs. Briggs
Content:
Sixth grade science is a general science course designed to introduce students to the process of science. These process skills include:
conducting safe field and laboratory investigations;
scientific inquiry;
critical thinking;
problem solving to make informed decisions.
Students will utilize these process skills while learning more about these topics:
Nature of Science
Solar System Components
Interaction of Matter and Energy
Earth Systems
Living systems
Textbook:
Each student will be issued a Texas Science 6th grade textbook. Textbooks must be covered at all times. The textbook can also be viewed online at www.mhln.com by clicking on student or parent and typing a specific class code – “mccallister00”.
Homework:
Most lab activities will be completed in the classroom; however, research and analysis (graphs and conclusions) may need to be finished outside of class. If students use their time wisely during class, the amount of time spent on work at home should be minimal.
Assessment and Evaluation:
During a typical six-week grading period students are assessed on classroom participation, completion of lab activities and accompanying assignments, quizzes, and major tests. Recognizing that record keeping is an extremely important task for a scientist, students are also assessed and graded on routine collection of agenda and science data.
Test, Projects, and Labs (graded as a whole): 40% (GT 50%)
Daily Work (can include components of labs based on the teacher’s discretion), and Quizzes: 60% (GT 50%)
Late and Make-up Work:
All work is expected on the assigned due date, work turned in at any time after this will be considered late. Due dates will be posted on the agenda board and should be written in the student’s agenda. Late work will not be accepted and you will receive a zero for the assignment.
When absent for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain any make-up work when they return to class. Students are allowed a one day extension for every day they are absent.
Supplies:
Each student will need the following:
1” binder
5 dividers (labeled: Resources, Journal, Notes, Assignments, and Labs.)
paper
pencils
highlighter
purple grading pen
3x5 white lined index cards
_________ period students need to bring Kleenex
_________ period students need to bring paper towels
_________ period students need to bring Clorox wipes
_________ period students need to bring a box of pencils
Sixth grade students are required to bring their science binder, agenda, and supplies (listed above) to class daily. White-out is not allowed in the science lab!
Lunch Bunch/Study Hall:
Lunch bunch for 6th grade science students will be held from 11:00 to 11:20. Lunch Bunch provides students a quiet place to work on homework, catch up on missing work, or complete classroom/laboratory activities in a small group situation. Your specific science teacher will post days and room numbers for their classes. You must obtain a pass when attending Lunch Bunch.
After-school Study Hall is available Mondays through Thursdays from 3:25 until 4:15. Two teachers from various disciplines are always present during Study Hall.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year of
scientific discovery!