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OVERVIEW
Our exploration into the sciences will be both challenging and intriguing. My goal is to help each child develop their inquiry skills. Science is all about asking questions and then setting out on a discovery. In this class, students will be able to do the following: design and conduct scientific investigations; use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence; think critically and logically between evidence and explanations; communicate scientific procedures and explanations; use mathematics in scientific inquiry; understand that scientific explanations emphasize evidence.
GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
1. Life Science (populations, ecosystems, producers, consumers, decomposers, biomes, food webs, energy levels, abiotic and biotic resources, and cycles)
a. Changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individual organisms, populations, and entire species.
b. Organisms interact with each other and their environment in various ways that create a flow of energy and cycling of matter in an ecosystem.
2. Physical Science (states of matter, atomic model, elements, compounds, substances, kinetic molecular theory, mass vs. weight, density)
a. All matter is made of atoms, which are far too small to see directly through a light microscope. Elements have unique atoms and thus, unique properties. Atoms themselves are made of even smaller particles.
b. Atoms may stick together in well-defined molecules or be packed together in large arrangements. Different arrangements of atoms into groups compose all substances.
c. The physical characteristics and changes of solid, liquid, and gas states can be explained using the particulate model.
d. Distinguish among, explain, and apply the relationships among mass, weight, volume, and density.
3. Earth Science (weathering, erosion, deposition, Earth's layers/structure and crust, renewable and nonrenewable resources, water cycle)
a. Complex interrelationships exist between Earth's structure and natural processes that are both constructive and destructive.
b. Water on Earth is distributed and circulated through oceans, glaciers, rivers, ground water, and the atmosphere.
c. Earth's natural resources provide the foundation for human society's physical needs. Many natural resources are nonrenewable on human timescales, while others can be renewed or recycled.
HOMEWORK/QUIZZES/ASSESSMENTS
Occasionally homework will be assigned as needed. Most of the time your homework will include studying for quizzes or assessments. Much of what we do in class will be completed in class. If we don't finish something on a given day, then we will pick up the next day where we left off. With that in mind, it is important to be present in class both physically and mentally. If you are absent, then you miss most of what we covered that day and will be difficult to make up, so make sure to be an active participant in class. Studying for quizzes and tests will usually take place over a period of time. You will be given the study material ahead of time along with a study guide. It is your responsibility to take the time to study the information in order to be prepared. If you need help, I am available before school (7:00 a.m.), during Lunch Bunch, and after school until around 4:00 p.m.
If you receive a 1 or 2 on an assessment/test, then you will have the opportunity to retake the assessment. In order to do this, you must complete an Error Analysis. This will involve a series of steps to demonstrate your review of the material. Once you have completed the Error Analysis, then you are able to retake the assessment. The highest grade you will receive will be a "3".
CLASS CALENDAR/PLANNERS
I attempt to make every effort to post readings, assignments, and homework on the Class Calendar webpage. Printable documents necessary for assignments are located in the Science documents tab located on my webpage. Please take the time to look at the class calendar daily so you will not be caught off-guard. Each day we take the time to write in our student planners. All of us have a tendency to forget things, so this planner will serve as your second "brain." Any assignments, readings, homework, or assessments/quizzes will be written in the planner to maintain good communication.
LABS/INVESTIGATIONS
Labs or investigations are an essential part of learning in science. This will be the "hands-on" part of science. If you are absent during one or more of these labs/investigations, then you will need to possibly make up the lab either before school, during Lunch Bunch, or after school. In order to do this, you will need to make arrangements ahead of time to make sure materials are available. You will also be responsible for getting the notes or other handouts from these labs.
GRADES
Work Habits = Grades are taken weekly based upon classroom discussions, warm-up activities, behavior, homework completion, following directions, cooperation, and classroom preparation. A rubric will be provided.
Content Knowledge = These grades will be related to your current understanding of the material that is being presented. It will mainly be composed of assessments, quizzes, labs/investigations, Science Notebooks, performance assessments, and assigned homework.
MISSING/LATE WORK
If you are absent or have missed an assignment, you can easily check Infinite Campus (IC) to locate what needs to be completed (this needs to be done at least once a week). Many times you can check with a friend and quickly get the information. If that is not possible, then come and check with me to gain the work. Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to get the missing or late work completed and not mine. Please take every effort to make sure you complete all work. I will accept missing work up until the end of the investigation. If the work is not turned in by that time, it will not receive credit. If you have an excused absence, then you have two days from the last day absent to make up the work.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
In order for true learning to take place, it is vital that you maintain an attitude of a learner. If you keep a positive perspective and outlook on all that is being learned, then you will succeed. Once you shut off your mind or daydream, opportunities are lost and true learning will not take place. My expectation is for you to come to class each day prepared to learn with all of your classroom materials. I also expect you to practice being RED (Respectful, Excellent, and Determined) at all times. During Labs/Investigations it is extremely important for you to be safe. If you are not following the lab safety procedures, you will not be allowed to participate in the investigation/lab.
It is YOUR responsibility to make up missing work from an absence. You need to check with a friend and look on the Class Calendar to find the work that was missed. If necessary, you will need to get the handouts from class in the "Extra Copies" basket in the classroom or print it from the documents on my website.
EXTRA HELP/CONTACT
For additional help or clarification of assignments/homework/assessments, you can locate me in my room before school (7:00 a.m.), during Lunch Bunch, or after school until around 4:00 p.m. I would also encourage you to contact me with your questions through email at casey.hackman@dcsdk12.org
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