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.
The students will have several different books throughout the year. Most often they are in-class sets. When students receive a personal book, they will need to cover it. Students are responsible for taking proper care of their books. Fines will be issued for damages/loss.
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.
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.
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 in both the current unit's syllabus located in Google Classroom and on the 6th GradeWebsite HW Grid. Please keep in mind that homework accounts for 10% of the student’s overall grade.
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/6th Grade HW Grid.
Students must be in the classroom seats when the bell rings. If they are not, they are considered tardy. On the 4th tardy to the class period , he/she will be given a detention. This tally resets at the beginning of each detention or grading period.
Respect yourself and others.
Arrive to class on time with the materials/assignments.
Raise your hand to be recognized to speak.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Follow school rules and procedures.
Consequences (not necessarily sequential):
Verbal warning, after-school detention, call parents, parent/teacher/student conference, or referral to assistant principal or principal.
Any serious behavior that interrupts students’ learning or my ability to teach, or puts others in danger, will be dealt with directly by the assistant principal or principal.
Students need to bring a 1” binder including loose-leaf paper and notebook tab on/before Friday, August 29th. 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 four times a detention will be assigned. This tally resets at the beginning of each detention or grading period.
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.
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.