Ms. A  Class Info

6th grade Science 

Ms. A,  Room 315


Class Description:  

During the sixth grade year, students will study the following units: Lab Safety/Scientific Method, Rocks/Minerals/Soil, Matter, Electricity, Energy, and Energy Resources/Conservation. 


Textbooks:

Each student will receive a science book which must be covered every day. Cloth book covers are highly recommended as the students will have several different books throughout the year. Students are responsible for taking proper care of their books.  Fines will be issued for damages/loss. 


Instructional Formats: 

All types of instruction are used in this class. Students will be involved in lecture/discussion sessions along with note-taking. Frequently, students will work cooperatively in labs. They will also take part in individual/group work and use the computer lab/library.  When in a virtual learning environment, students will be engaged with videos and interactive websites/assignments.


Assessment Formats:

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways. These will include, but are not limited to, class work, pop-quizzes, quizzes, homework, tests, and projects. Please check the Homework on the 6th Grade Website weekly for upcoming assignments, tests/quizzes, projects, current grades, and missing assignments. Assignments are expected to be turned in on the due date at the beginning of the student’s science period for credit. Assignments must be with the student when the class period starts.


Grading Procedures:

All grades will be entered into Progress Book as percentages; therefore, I weigh grades as follows:

  5%   Participation/Lab Procedures, 20%   Classwork , 10%   Homework, 65%   Assessments


Homework – Students must complete the homework on time in order to receive credit. All homework assignments are posted on Progress Book/Google Classroom weekly. Please keep in mind that homework accounts for 10% of the student’s overall grade. 


Absence Policy:

As indicated in the student handbook, “it is the responsibility of students who are absent for any reason to obtain their make-up work. …A day's absence does not excuse a student from the responsibility for all previously announced assignments or tests on the day of his/her return.”  I will enter a zero for missing assignments due to absences and will replace with the grade as soon as the assignment is returned within one week of the original due date. If make-up work is requested prior to a planned absence, it should be completed upon return.  All information and materials from the days missed can be found on the homework board in my room and the unit syllabus is available in Google Classroom. If an assignment is online, you will locate it in our Google Classroom.


Tardy Policy:

Students must be in the classroom seats when the bell rings. If they are not, they are considered tardy. After the student accumulates three tardies, he/she will be given a detention. This tally resets at the beginning of each detention or grading period.


Class Rules:


Consequences (not necessarily sequential):


Requirements:

Students need to bring a 1” binder including loose-leaf paper on/before Monday, August 28th. This binder will hold all their science notes, worksheets, etc. and will be periodically collected and graded for organization and content. This binder, the student’s textbook, along with paper and a writing utensil are to be brought to class every day. Students are expected to have their materials/assignments with them when they arrive in class.  After forgetting materials three times, a detention will be assigned. This tally resets at the beginning of each detention or grading period.


Projects:

A few individual and group projects may be assigned throughout the year. Students are always given ample time to work on these projects. The first day the project is assigned, an in-depth description is given to all students including a calendar and requirements.  Depending on the size of the project, the project grade may be lowered for every day it is late.  The project information and grade sheet will be available online in the classroom section and our science Google Classroom.


Communication:

The most effective way to reach me is through e-mail.  I can easily respond during the lesson down time, between classes, or from my home.  My address is jalessandro@revereschools.org. Or you can call and leave a message at 330.666.4155 ext. 633501.

Throughout the year, I will send class updates or important information weekly to biweekly through email.  I will originally set up my email list by copying/pasting the parent addresses from Progress Book into my address book.  If you have changed your email over the summer, please update it on Progress Book.  Also, please let me know if you change it sometime throughout the school year.


In addition to emails, I also use Remind 101.  This app allows me to send quick texts for important reminders.  Please do not worry. I will not overload you with texts. Please sign up by simply texting the message @msa6ths on your cell phone to the number 81010.  This will automatically add you to my list.