Common Syllabus

 Course Overview:

1. Course Description: The focus for science in 6th grade is to provide students with a foundation for hands-on experiences that allow for the active engagement and concrete examples that these students require in order to understand basic science concepts. Sixth graders continue to develop the investigative skills that they have been acquiring since kindergarten, now expanding them to include the skill of differentiating between observation and inference. Specifically, students explore the life, earth, and physical sciences within the framework of the following topics: Matter and its Interactions; Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer;  Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes; Earth's Geologic Systems. 

Textbook and Workbook: Savvas Elevate 

2.  Timeline for Major Topics of Instruction:

1. Classroom Procedures, Lab safety and SEP (Science and Engineering Practices)  (1st Quarter: Weeks 1-2)*

2. Matter and its Interactions (1st Quarter: Weeks 3-7)*

3. Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (1st/2nd Quarter: Weeks 8 – 12)*

4. Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes(2nd Quarter: Weeks 13-18)*

5. Earth's Geologic Systems (3rd Quarter: Weeks 19-27)

6. Earth's Atmospheric Systems (4th Quarter: Weeks 28-32)

7. Review/Testing (4th QuarterWeeks 33 and 35)

*Lab Safety plus Science & Engineering Practices will be embedded in all units

Science and engineering practices will be incorporated into all units. For further information, on the standards and practices please refer to the South Carolina Department of Education website: http://ed.sc.gov.

 Assessing, Evaluating, and Recording Student Progress and Achievement:

1. Grading Scale: 

100 - 90 A

 89 - 80 B

 79 - 70 C

 69 - 60 D

 59 and Below F

2. Calculation of Grades: 

50% Major Grades (Tests, Projects, Culminating Labs)

50% Minor Grades (Quizzes, Labs, Classwork, Homework, Notebook)

3. Tests: 

Tests are major grades. All tests will be announced at least two days in advance. Students will be instructed on what materials will be covered on the test.

4. Notebook: 

A notebook grade will be taken each week for warm up and exit tickets. 

5. Late Assignments: 

Assignments are due when designated.  If an assignment is turned in more than 5 school days the assignment will not be accepted unless approved by Mr. Jackson.

6. Make-Up Work: 

Students are expected to make-up all work missed due to absences within 5 days.  It is the student’s responsibility to initiate missed work.  Most assignments can be found posted in google classroom, but paper copies of handouts are kept in the classroom.  Students should make arrangements to make-up tests or quizzes before school from 8:00 - 8:30 am or during study topics 8:30 - 9:00 am.

 School Policies:

1. Rules for Student Behavior: 

Please check the Student Handbook for general school policies on the Sevier home page.  Every student is expected to be prepared for class, stay on task, behave responsibly, work cooperatively, and complete all assignments.  Students are expected to come to class with their science notebook, pencil, and Chromebook charged every day.  

Classroom Rules: Be respectful. Be responsible. Behave with integrity.

2. Materials Needed: 

• 2 Composition Notebooks and 3 rolls of tape (turn in to teacher)

•  colored pencils, plug in earbuds/headphones, pencils (student will keep in backpack)

V.  Communication with Parents: 

Parents are advised to contact teachers for any questions, suggestions, or concerns they may have.  Sevier Middle School encourages parents to take the opportunity to let teachers know about their children and what the teachers can do on an individual basis to help their children.  You can contact me or check on what’s going on in science class by:

• Emailing me at ryjackson@greenville.k12.sc.us

• Checking my Sevier website for current news, important dates, and an updated TOC.

• Calling me at 355-8239.  This number will go straight to my voicemail so please leave a message so that I can get back to you.

• Mr. Jackson has a weekly google meet to talk with parents. Every Tuesday 2:45-3