Syllabus
2023 - 2024 Course Syllabus: Sixth Grade Science
Teacher Contact Information:
Name: Caroline Creel Email: ccreel@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: (864)355-7092 Room: A116
Textbook: Savvass 6th Grade Science Workbook; the texts stay in the classroom - students rip pages out as needed for classwork or homework.
Sixth Grade Science Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to concepts in the areas of scientific inquiry, physical science, life science, and earth science. This course encourages the interaction between content and thinking processes. Students will use the thinking process with science content to plan and conduct experiments based on observations. They will evaluate their findings and draw conclusions to explain their results. Through this course, students will be able to share in the richness and excitement of comprehending the natural world. Students will solve problems creatively, think critically, work cooperatively in teams, use technology effectively, and value lifelong learning.
Learning Objectives for the Course:
Sixth Grade Science is a hands-on, investigative approach of select life, physical and earth science topics using science process skills and scientific methods. The heart of science is rooted in investigation and literacy: reading, writing and communicating. Science units have been crafted with that philosophy in mind. Scientific inquiry standards are embedded in all units of study. Literacy focus skills have been aligned to allow for the integration we are seeking. Students will utilize scientific methods to identify and solve problems, apply science process skills to everyday situations, work cooperatively to achieve common goals, make connections between science concepts and current events, connect science and technology using computers and laboratory equipment, make scientific connections through the writing process, and see how different sciences are dependent on each other. These goals are based on the South Carolina Science Curriculum adapted by the South Carolina Board of Education.
Absences
If your child is absent, please have your student send me an email at my preferred email address - ccreel@greenville.k12.sc.us. In the email, please have your student detail any important information about their absence (dates, reason, etc). I will respond to the email with directions for completing make-up work within one business day.
NWMS School-Wide Make-Up Work & Redo Policy
Students are responsible for missed work in the event of an absence. In accordance with District policy, students have 7 days upon returning to school to complete missed work within the quarter the work was assigned. Missed assignments will be noted in the gradebook as missing until complete. For example, if missing work occurred during the end of Q1 and Q2 has already started and the 7 days allowed overlaps from Q1 to Q2 the work will be accepted during Q2 because the days allowed fall within the 7 days make up time frame. If the 7 days ends on a Saturday or Sunday the assignment will be due the next school day the student is present. Recap: students have 7 days from the absence to submit missing work, no more than 7 days unless admin approval.
Redo Policy
Any student can redo a major assessment one time, if the request is within five school days from the date they received their grade/returned assessment.
A teacher does have the discretion to allow a redo more than five school days if they choose, but a student should be allowed at least five days to request a redo.
A type of remediation activity, determined by the teacher, must be completed by the student prior to the assessment retake.
The grades for the 1st and 2nd attempts of the assessment will be averaged together (regardless of whether the 2nd attempt is higher or lower than the 1st attempt). If either assessment score is below a 50, the teacher will use the grade floor of a 50 to average into the final assessment grade.
Redo attempts should happen outside of class time (i.e.,advisory, tutoring time, Panther Success, etc.).
The teacher should receive a parent/guardian written note, email, or phone call prior to the student being granted a redo attempt. A teacher can waive this requirement at their discretion if the parent/guardian is unreachable via phone or unable to return a note/email granting permission for the test retake.
Late Work Policy
Schools will accept late work with no penalty to the student up to 5 days after the original due date or the end of the grading period, whichever comes first. A teacher may extend the late work acceptance deadline upon administration approval of extenuating circumstances but may not reduce the time. The work, although submitted late, will not receive a point reduction. Assessments must be about mastery of content and if graded, the goal is to assess mastery, not behaviors. Work can be accepted late across grading periods by special exception and approval of administration.
Required Materials For Class
Sharpened Pencil
Science Journal (black & white marbled notebook)
School-provided Chromebook - Fully Charged
School-provided Agenda
Recommended Materials For Class
Color Pencils
Markers
Highlighters
Glue Sticks
Headphones
Tape
Pens
Hand-held Pencil Sharpener
Grading Policy
Major Grades- 50% Unit and Interactive Science Notebook (ISN) Tests, Projects, Formal Writing, and Formal Labs
Minor Grades- 50% Quizzes, Classwork, Labs, and Homework
*expect 3 major grades and 8 minor grades on each nine-week report card
Units of Study
Nature of Science
Matter
Waves
Cells and Human Body
Earth Science
Weather
Statement
The teacher will monitor and adjust classroom procedures and schedules as needed. For specific course objectives and standards, please visit the South Carolina Department of Education at www.ed.sc.gov
Extra Links for Help and Clarification