6Th Grade Science
Course Policies & Procedures
Beadle Middle School – 6th Grade- team Gamma
Kendra Lansdale
kjlansdale@mpsomaha.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will use scientific inquiry to investigate the natural world and understand the connections among life, physical and Earth sciences.
Students will also explore the role of Science in society.
Concepts assessed in Science 6 are energy, structure and function, growth and development (genetics), weather and climate, and Earth's systems.
RESOURCES:
Amplify web based science curriculum (in Clever)
Science Class Google Web page-items posted DAILY
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Outcome 1: Students will design and conduct investigations that will lead to descriptions of relationships between evidence and explanations.
Outcome 2: Students will apply scientific principles and investigations to understand the conservation of energy and energy transfer
Outcome 3: Students will investigate and describe the structure and function of living things and their information processing
Outcome 4: Students will use evidence to explain growth and development of organisms and inheritance and variation of traits.
Outcome 5: Students will ask questions and define problems and develop a model about the roles of water in Earth's surface processes, weather climate, global climate change, and natural hazards
GRADING PROCEDURES:
Learning Checks: Turning in homework (digital/electronic) on time is essential to student success in science. Students are responsible for noting when assignments, quizzes and tests are due on the website & hw page UPDATED daily.
Late work is considered any assignment turned in after the teacher collects it on the scheduled due date. One day is allowed to turn in late homework without penalty (however, BMS policy does mandate HW lab M-Thur). (It is extremely important that you email me if you submit anything late or I will not know it is there!)
10% reduction on the assignment for any work accepted after the one-day grace period. ***Homework will not be accepted after three days from when the assignment was due.
**A zero will be entered into the gradebook for any assignment not turned in.
Quizzes and Assessments: Quizzes and Assessments are announced in advance. Daily review of notes, rereading Amplify texts and pages, and applying study strategies learned in class are the best methods to ensure retention of concepts.
Students are given the opportunity to retake quizzes and tests only after demonstrating to the teacher that reteaching for that unit is completed.
***All test and quiz retakes must occur within 5 days of a test or quiz being returned to the student or end of hexter. Retake assessments will be scheduled and cut off dates communicated by the teacher.
There are occasions when retakes are not possible due to cut off dates on hexters or the use of an open note test.
Re-teaching / testing procedures & expectations:
It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a re-teaching time.
Time is available during GSP and before/after school by appointment.
Retakes are strongly suggested for students receiving below a 70% on tests and quizzes. It is the responsibility of the student to seek out retake opportunities. It is the student’s responsibility to recognize and redo low scoring assessments.
Synergy grades: Check the Beadle Google Site –see below - Synergy for updated grades. Students and parents can access with their log-in information. Parents/guardians will receive a grade report every week, but are highly encouraged to use Synergy to obtain current grades and more detailed information. All grades are final at the end of each hexter.
Weekly homework - See Teacher Google Site Sigma homework
Millard district grading scale
A= 100- 90
B = 89 - 80
C = 79 - 70
D= 69 - 60
F = 59 and below
CLASSROOM RULES/ DIGITAL EXPECTATIONS:
All students are expected to be safe, respectful, and responsible while in school (Digital learning also ="in school"). Lab work can be dangerous if students do not follow directions and safety rules. If a student chooses not to work in a safe manner he/she will be removed from the lab and given an alternate activity. The environment needs to be such that all students are able to learn and participate in the classroom.
Students will need to learn to work in project teams at times both in person and digitally. In a team driven environment, respectful behavior is mandatory and any reports back of behavior less than respectful, safe behavior will result in a written referral to the office. Students may be asked to work on their own if behavior continues.
Students are to be ready with all supplies and a charged computer each and every day.
Sponge work is provided at the beginning of class and it is an expectation that students begin the task at hand. Grades are occasionally given on these activities. NO MAKEUPS ARE GIVEN FOR SPONGES
STUDENT ABSENCE:
If a student is absent it is their responsibility to get the assignments they missed. Students are expected to visit with the teacher/teachers homework page following any absence in order to complete missing work. It is not the teachers responsibility to seek out students who have missed school. Students will need to take responsibility to get all work done in the time allowed.
COMMUNICATION:
The best way to communicate with me is through email. I will respond to your email within 24 hours during the workday.
I do not usually check school email in the evenings/weekends. My work hours are 7:15am to 3:45pm Monday through Friday. My contact is kjlansdale@mpsomaha.org
NEEDED MATERIALS:
Students bring to class every day unless stated otherwise:
Be in class on time and ready to learn (if we are digital, please be logged in on time)
Fully charged computer, earbuds and charger everyday
Science binder/folder/section
Pencil, pen & highlighter
Different colored pens for checking/note taking
Any lessons will be assessed and each student will be expected to do their very best in class and strengthen your skills as a positive member of our Gamma team! Let’s have a great year!