Download 6th Grade Earth Science Syllabus

JEAN CHILDS YOUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL
6TH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE SYLLABUS
W
elcome to Young Middle School’s Earth Science Experience! We have an exciting year
planned, and we are looking forward to meeting our Big Goals with the excellent work you will
complete.
Areas of Concentration for 1st Semester

Unit 1 Rocks and Minerals
OVERVIEW: The rock cycle, which is continual in nature, explains the formation of minerals and
rocks. Fossils provide evidence of constant environmental change.
Focus Standards:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
a. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.
b. Classify rocks by their process of formation.
g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.
S6E6. Students will describe various sources of energy and with their uses and conservation.
b. Identify renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Supporting Standards:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature, density, and
composition.
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption,
gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).

Unit 2 Weathering and Erosion
OVERVIEW: Earth processes that are observed today are similar to those that have occurred in the
past.
Focus Standards:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption,
gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).
h. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material.
i. Explain the effects of human activity on the erosion of the earth’s surface.
j. Describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil, and air.
Supporting Standards:
S6E3. Students will recognize the significant role of water in earth processes.
a. Explain that a large portion of the Earth’s surface is water, consisting of oceans, rivers, lakes,
underground water, and ice.
d. Explain the causes of waves, currents, and tides.
S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.
b. Relate unequal heating of land and water surfaces to form large global wind systems and
weather events such as tornados and thunderstorms.
c. Relate how moisture evaporating from the oceans affects the weather patterns and weather
events such as hurricanes.
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Supporting Standards:
S6E3. Students will recognize the significant role of water in earth processes.
a. Explain that a large portion of the Earth’s surface is water, consisting of oceans, rivers, lakes,
underground water, and ice.
d. Explain the causes of waves, currents, and tides.
S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.
b. Relate unequal heating of land and water surfaces to form large global wind systems and
weather events such as tornados and thunderstorms.
c. Relate how moisture evaporating from the oceans affects the weather patterns and weather
events such as hurricanes.

Unit 3 Inside the Earth
OVERVIEW: Surface and subsurface processes that are involved in the formation and destruction of
earth materials are identified in this unit.
Focus Standards:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature, density, and
composition.
e. Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on the
earth’s surface.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption,
gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).
Supporting Standards:
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.
g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.
Our Big Goal:
Every student will master 85% or more of ALL Earth Science standards.
Requirements:
Supplies:

black or blue pens

pencils

personal pencil sharpener
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highlighters (blue, yellow, orange, green)

5 -spiral or composition notebooks

1 -Hand Sanitizer

1 -box of Tissue

3-packs of index cards
Format:
I will use a variety of teaching methods in this course including: Hands-on activities, labs, lecture,
teacher directed discussions, small group activities, and student generated projects and reports.
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Grading Policy:
Required Task
Percentage of Grade
Mid-Term/Final Exam
20%
Science Projects &
20%
Research Reports
Laboratory Activities &
20%
Class Participation
Class work & Homework
20%
Unit Test/Weekly Quiz
20%
**Unless Modified per APS Policy **
Classroom Rules & Expectations:
1. Come to class on time, prepared, and ready to work.
2. Listen carefully and follow directions the first time given.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Be courteous and respectful of others and their property.
5. No food, gum, candy, or drink allowed in class.
Positive Rewards




Positive Call/Note Home
Extra Credit on Weekly Quiz
Opportunity Jar
Meeting our Big Goal
Negative Consequences

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
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
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Name on board
Check beside name and sit independently
Conference w/ student
Conference w/ parent
After-school detention
Office referral
**Major offenses go directly to office!**
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Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Attendance is EXTREMELY important. We will be working hard everyday to achieve our big goal.
One absence will set you back. If you do miss class, you will have TWO days to bring an excuse in
order to make up your work. There is a two-day policy on make up work: if you do not talk to the
teacher about missed work within two days, you will not be able to make it up. The homework for
each week will be written on the blackboard. YOU are responsible for making and keeping an
appointment to make up a missed assignment or test. All make up work will be at the information
center. Please be sure to complete ALL missed assignments.
Grading and Makeup work:
Grading Scale
90-110
80-89
70-79
0-69
A
B
C
F
If you miss an exam with an excused absence you must make up that exam within the next
week, otherwise a "0" will be given. Check your student handbook. It is the
student’s responsibility to find out missing assignments and schedule makeup tests.
Makeup homework & class work is due within 2 days of your absence. After 2 days, the
grade will be reduced by 25% for each day late. Please note: Any work assigned
before you were out and is due while you are gone IS due the day you get back.
NO EXCEPTIONS!
Lab Reports/Projects that have been assigned a due date are due on or before that date.
After that date, a late penalty of 25% off per day will ensue. If you are going to be
absent, plan ahead and turn your work in early or send it with a friend, sibling, or
parent. A contract will be issued.
Zero tolerance is given for late work. Be diligent!
CLASS PROCEDURES
ENTERING & EXITING THE CLASSROOM:
You will enter the classroom following the two Qs – Quickly and Quietly. Be sure to have your
materials read and completed, take your seat and begin to work immediately. As you enter the
class, please do the following:

Pick up any handouts from the Pick-Pick table

Immediately copy the Date, Focus, Agenda Objective etc. into
your composition notebook

Place the appropriate heading on all work

Complete the Daily Journal or Focus Assignment
There should be NO TALKING once class starts. Please remember food/drink is never allowed into
the classroom. Once class has begun, you may not leave your seat without permission. This means
you may not get up to sharpen your pencil or to throw away trash. Please remain seated unless
otherwise instructed. You will exit the room when instructed by the teacher. When exiting,
remember to obey the two Ss when in line. The class line should always be Straight and Silent.
DAILY JOURNAL & FOCUS ASSIGNMENT:
The journal and focus assignments will be concepts we have discussed in class or designed to
prepare you for the day’s lecture. Each day these assignments will be used to jumpstart your
thinking about Earth Science.
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PENCIL SHARPENING:
You may sharpen your pencil at the beginning of class only
PARTICIPATION:
In general, please raise your hand if you want to speak in class. The teacher will use the go-around
cup to randomly select students to participate on a daily basis. DO NOT SPEAK WHEN SOMEONE
ELSE IS SPEAKING. This is rude and disrespectful.
TEST/QUIZZES/PROJECTS
Knowledge is too precious to steal. We expect your own creative, original, and diligent effort on
every assignment. CHEATING will result in a zero. NO EXEPTIONS.
CHEATING
During tests, there is NO TALKING, no excuses. If you need anything or have any questions, please
raise your hand and the TEACHER WILL COME TO ASSIST YOU. The teacher will take away your test
and you will receive an automatic F. No exceptions. Do not talk during assessments. Also, do not
copy other students’ work. If you copy another student’s work or let them copy yours—both
people will receive a zero and get a phone call home.
CONDUCT
It is expected that all students follow the district/school conduct policy. Failure to do so may result
in referral school administrator; phone call home; mandatory parent conference, suspension or
expulsion. Additionally, teachers expect all students to behave in a mature, age appropriate
manner. Each student is expected to show anyone entering the classroom (administration,
substitutes, visitors) the same respect and consideration they would expect for themselves. Each
student is held personally responsible and accountable for her/his actions. My intention is to have
a classroom environment conducive to learning. Classroom disruptions will not be tolerated.
Failure to follow the district/school/classroom conduct policies will result in the immediate and
appropriate consequences.
CURSING
Cursing is completely unacceptable and violates our most important classroom rule of RESPECT. If
the teacher hears a student use profanity in the classroom, the student will have to complete an
extra assignment for you parents to sign and a phone call home will follow.
EATING AND DRINKING
You are NOT allowed to drink beverages in my room at any time. Do not bring it in---keep it in your
lunchbox. DO NOT bring any food into the classroom. Any beverage or food items that the
teacher can see will be confiscated and thrown in the trash.
FIGHTING
Fighting is completely unacceptable. It is rude, disrespectful, and very immature. If you are having
problems with another student, feel free to come and talk to me. Anyone who feels the need to
act immaturely in this manner will be immediately sent to the office, and suspended.
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MECHANICAL DEVICES
You are required to abide by the APS Code of Conduct. You are not allowed to enter my room
with headphones (on or hanging around your neck) a CD player or Walkman, cell phone or pager,
or any mechanical game. The school requires that the teacher confiscate it immediately and
notify the Principal. Keep these items at home. If the teacher sees any of the prohibited devices it
will be confiscated.
PARENT /GUARDIAN CONTACT
We really enjoy talking to parents/guardians and think it is one of the best ways to put a stop to
inappropriate behavior. We prefer to deal with the student first. If we cannot come to an
understanding, then teacher will speak with the student’s parent/guardian to see how we can
remedy the inappropriate behavior. The teacher will make contact calls regularly regarding
students’ excellent progress as well. If a conference is needed, parents will be notified by phone or
mail/email to set up a meeting at school.
Why do we have so many procedures?
Our Big Goal is for every student to master 85% or more of all Earth Science standards. In order to
meet and exceed this goal we must use our time wisely. Therefore, we have tried to eliminate
every distraction that would prevent you from reaching our big goal in this class. Our learning time
is precious!
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