Families and Students, welcome to 6th grade Science at Tony Hillerman Middle School!
Have you ever wondered how scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies? What makes hail? How are traits passed from one generation to the next? Or what kind of information do scientists learn from fossil records? This is the world of science. Science is everywhere, and I would love to show you how much fun science is. This year we will explore topics in Earth and the Biological sciences, which includes a variety of topics such as earthquakes, plate tectonics, rocks, minerals, anatomy, space and matter. In class we will be exploring science and learning to think like scientists. Among the most important skills we will acquire this year is how to ask and answer our own questions. You are all in for an exciting year, and I am extremely delighted to be your teacher. Let’s have some fun!
Text: Online at my.aps.edu (Activate Learning) This year I will be implementing the new APS science curriculum called OpenSci Education. I will be transitioning between the old and new curriculum throughout the year.
Units of Study (Old Curriculum):
Lab Safety
Scientific Method
Engineering Process
History of Earth
Geologic time scale
Fossils
Law of Superposition
Layer of Earth
Plate Tectonic and Theory
Sea floor Spreading
Convection currents
Earth’s crust
Plate Boundaries
Rock Cycle
Weathering and Erosion
Volcanoes
Ring of Fire
Earthquakes
Water cycle
Atmosphere
Weather/Climate
Storms
Convection currents
States of Matter
Solids, liquids, gas, plasma
Density
Atoms and Particles
Energy
Waves
Plant and Animals Cells (Biology)
Systems (Levels of organization) cell through organism
Organisms (unicellular vs multicellular.
Biomes and Ecosystems
Units of Study (New Curriculum):
6.1 Light and Matter
6.2 Thermal Energy
6.3 Weather and Climate
6.4 Plate Tectonics
6.5 Natural Hazards
6.6 Cells and Systems
Online Resources: readworks.org, flocabulary.com, quizizz.com, edpuzzle.com, OpenSci Ed, legendsoflearning.com. Other educational websites will be added throughout the year and added to google classroom.
Supplies:
Required (Turned into Mr. Ortiz)
-Two composition notebook (college ruled/no spirals)
- Pack of Pencils(No pens allowed)
- Chromebook and charger are required everyday (We have an online textbook)
- Tissue or Paper Towels (Optional)
The following supplies can be shared with other classes. These do not need to be purchased just for use in this class: (Stored in backpack)
Wired Headphones (no wireless earbuds allowed)
Markers or colored pencils
Scissors
Glue (Any type)
Highlighter any color
1.5” Binder
Attendance: We will be doing a lot of group work and in-class assignments. Your laboratory partner and work group depend on your participation and brainpower so regular attendance is extremely important. Please review the APS handbook for additional information on attendance (https://www.aps.edu/schools/student-handbook )
Class rules:
1. Be in your seat and prepared to start class when the bell rings. Preparation for class includes having the following items out and ready for use:
a) Pencil (sharpened)
b) Composition notebook
c) Charged Chromebook
d) Homework folder and/or assignment (if due)
2. Students are expected to answer quiz questions during the first 5-10 minutes of class and have out appropriate homework and/or assignments for collection. Students who are absent are still responsible for quiz questions and homework/assignments they missed. Please see APS student handbook for makeup work policy (https://www.aps.edu/schools/student-handbook )
3. Treat everyone with respect and dignity. This can be accomplished by using appropriate behavior and language, listening attentively to fellow students and the teacher during discussions, raising hand to speak, and respecting others’ comments. Students must be familiar with our classroom management plan.
4. Leave class when I dismiss you, not when the bell rings. Students will not pack up belongings before the bell rings.
5. Students will write down and follow alternative rules for laboratory activities. Safety gear (goggles, lab coats, gloves) must be worn at all times during lab activities.
Consequences: The following consequences will be used when either classroom or school rules are broken. To keep track of accumulated consequences I will be documenting behaviors in synergy using behavior points and contacting families by email. Check the MLSS tab in parentvue to view behavior points. Behavior points reset at the start of every month.
1. Verbal warning
2. 2nd warning (class yellow card)
3. 3rd warning (class yellow card and warning logged in Parentvue/StudentVue)
4. 5-minute classroom refocusing center, classroom redirection form, lunch restorative conversation
5. Team meeting, family email and phone call
6. Family conference/phone call, Family invited to sit in on one class session
7. Meeting with school administration/teacher/Family/Team/Dean of Students
Labs: I will be conducting several laboratory experiments this year, and safety is of primary concern during the labs. Students will be required to sign a safety contract stating they will abide by the additional laboratory rules and practice extra caution during labs. In addition, specific lab safety procedures will be explained on the day of the lab.
Grading: Check Parentvue/Studentvue on the APS website weekly. I post grades on a weekly basis (Wednesday or Friday). Family contact will be made by email for any student with a grade 70% or lower, family contact will not be made for grades of 71% and above. I encourage families to monitor parentvue on a weekly basis and contact me via email if your child is not reaching proficiency. A final exam will be given at the end of each semester to measure mastery of the science standards (A score of 70% or higher represents mastery.)
Grading Scale (Classwork, Readworks Homework, Flocabulary, Edpuzzle, Quiziz, Activate Learning):
100%-90%= A
89%-80%= B
79%-70%= C
69%-60%= D
59%-50%=F*
*Any assignment marked with a 50% has not been attempted.
Grading Scale (Daily Quizzes and Pre/Post Test Assessments)**:
4= A or Advanced
3= B or Proficient
2= C or Nearing Proficient
1= D or Beginning Steps
0= F or Beginning Steps
**Assessment can't be reattempted for a better grade. I use assessment data to provide students with intervention or enrichment opportunities.
Homework: I assign a weekly reading homework via www.readworks.org or google classroom. The reading homework will be assigned every Monday and is due by 10pm Friday. Each reading homework is focused on the current Science standard. Students will read the passage and answer a variety of comprehension questions online. If a student scores below a 70% they may request permission to redo the assignment before 3pm on Friday. If a student requires access to the internet they may complete homework in my room before school, during lunch or attend school tutoring. Homework will not be assigned on short weeks of school.
Due Dates for class assignments: Class units are typical 1 week in length and all assignments have built in extension time. All assignment dues dates are on Friday but classwork will not be graded until the following Wednesday. Students may need to complete missing classwork at home by the extended Wednesday due date. Any assignment marked with a 50% or 0/4 points has not been attempted.
Low Scoring Assignments: Classwork, Readworks Homework, Flocabulary, Edpuzzle and Science labs may be reattempted for a higher grade by the extended Wednesday due date. Students are responsible for asking for a reattempt and completing it on time. Daily quizzes, quizizzz.com and pre/post tests can't be reattempted. I use this data to provide students with timely interventions and enrichment opportunities. No extra credit is provided.
Cheating/AI: We will be doing a lot of group work in this class. I encourage collaboration, but cheating will not be tolerated. If a student is caught cheating, a student and family conference will be scheduled. The use of AI on any assignment is not allowed. All work must be the original work of the student.
Cell Phone Policy:
To ensure our classroom remains a vibrant, focused space for learning, I invite your partnership in managing personal devices. My goal is to minimize distractions and keep our focus on the engaging, collaborative lessons planned for the year. This approach aligns with New Mexico State Law and APS guidelines, helping us maintain a positive learning environment.
Our Classroom Approach:
Audio Devices: To keep learning focused, we ask that students use standard wired earbuds that plug directly into their Chromebooks. Please note that wireless earbuds (like AirPods) and headphones are not permitted in class.
Cell Phones: To protect our focused learning time, we ask that cell phones be powered off and tucked away in a backpack, locker, or designated classroom storage. Students should not keep phones on their person during class time.
Supporting Student Success:
Should a student not follow the THMS Cell Phone Policy, we will use the following supportive, progressive process to help students refocus and reconnect with their learning goals:
Gentle Redirect: Group reminders will be given at the start of class during the first month, and reminders will occur throughout the school year to reinforce the cell phone policy. If needed, a verbal reminder will be given for the student to power down and store the device safely.
Refocusing Opportunity: If the distraction continues, the device will be held in a secure location until the end of the period. I will reach out to you via email or phone to keep you informed, with the interaction documented in the Synergy (TeacherVUE) contact log.
Administrative Partnership: If the behavior persists, the device will be held by our THMS Dean. We will partner with you and the administration to address the behavior, with all interactions logged in Synergy (TeacherVUE).
Immediate Support: If a student refuses a request during Step 1 or 2, I will seek administrative support to maintain an orderly learning environment. This will involve the Dean and parent contact, with all documentation reflected in Synergy (TeacherVUE).
Make-up work: Make-up work will be provided for all absences. Due to the nature of the class and the emphasis on group work students may be assigned alternate assignments on the same content covered in class. Students have the same number of days absent to make up all work that was missed. Please review APS policy on make-up work at https://www.aps.edu/schools/student-handbook . Makeup work will not be provided ahead of time for family vacations or sporting events. Students can makeup missed work due to family vacations and sporting events when they return.
Teacher Contact Information: Families, if you would like to contact me, please feel free to do so at any time. I will be happy to speak with you over the phone, correspond through email, or schedule a meeting with you. For the quickest response please send me an email.
Mr. Christopher Ortiz
Phone: 505-792-0698 ex. 37542. Please only call during 6th period (1:10-1:50) or A Lunch (10:50-11:10)
Email: christopher.ortiz@aps.edu
Room number 158