Thelma Smiley Morris Elementary
Course Syllabus
Science
School Year 2012-2013
Teacher Information
Teacher: Shavon Webster
School Location: 801 Hill Street, Montgomery, AL 36108
Telephone: Office – (334) 223-6920
E-mail:
Grading Scale/Policy
GRADES FIRST – FIFTH GRADING SCALE
A / 90 - 100B / 80 - 89
C / 70 - 79
D / 60 - 69
F / 0 - 59
GRADES FIRST – FIFTH WRITING, HEALTH, AND VISUALARTS PROGRESS REPORTIUNG SCALE
5 / Excellent (Grade equivalent to an A)4 / Good (Grade equivalent to a B)
3 / Satisfactory (Grade equivalent to a C)
2 / Needs Improvement (Grade equivalent to a D)
1 / Unsatisfactory (Grade equivalent to an F)
0 / Not evaluated
MPS GRADING WEIGHTS
MAJOR GRADES FOR 2ND - 5TH / MINOR GRADES FOR 2ND – 5THINOW WEIGHT – 65%
(Minimum of 3 Major Grades)
Include grades such as:
- Chapter Tests
- Unit Tests
- Projects
- Essays
- Research Papers
*Selection Tests, Unit Tests, and End of Year Tests shall include combined scores of multiple choice and open-ended responses. / INOW WEIGHT – 35%
(Minimum of 9 Minor Grade)
Include daily classroom grades such as:
- Quizzes
- Checklists
- Observations
- Homework **
*Spelling grades are limited to a maximum of 10% of the overall English/language arts grade **Homework is limited to a maximum of 5% of the over all grade.
MAJOR GRADES FOR 2ND - 5TH / MINOR GRADES FOR 2ND – 5TH
INOW WEIGHT – 65%
(Minimum of 3 Major Grades)
Include grades such as:
- Chapter Tests
- Unit Tests
- Projects
- Essays
- Research Papers
*Selection Tests, Unit Tests, and End of Year Tests shall include combined scores of multiple choice and open-ended responses. / INOW WEIGHT – 35%
(Minimum of 9 Minor Grade)
Include daily classroom grades such as:
- Quizzes
- Checklists
- Observations
- Homework **
*Spelling grades are limited to a maximum of 10% of the overall English/language arts grade **Homework is limited to a maximum of 5% of the over all grade.
A suspension is an unexcused absence. Therefore, missed assignments will receive a failing grade. Make-up work is not allowed when involving suspension.
Outline of Topics and Special Projects
First Nine Weeks
· Identify common parts of plant and animal cells, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane.
· Identify major body systems and their functions, including the circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, and reproductive system.
· Describe the relationship of populations within a habitat to various communities and ecosystems.
Second Nine Weeks
· Identify spheres of Earth, including the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
· Compare distances from the sun to planets in our solar system.
Third Nine Weeks
· Identify evidence of chemical changes through color, gas formation, and temperature change.
· Define mass, volume, and density.
· Use everyday indicators to identify common acids and bases.
· Describe forms of energy, including chemical, heat, light, and mechanical.
· Contrast ways in which light rays are bent by concave and convex lenses.
· Compare effects of gravitational force on Earth, on the moon, and within space.
Fourth Nine Weeks
· Describing alternatives to the use of fossil fuels.
· Describing technology used to investigate Earth.
Special Projects (The following projects are in no particular order, and they are subject to change.)
· Plant / Animal Cell Display
· Human Body Functions
· Solar System
· Water Cycle
Project information will be discussed in class and a letter will be sent home three weeks before the project is due. Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any project.
Make-Up Work Procedures
Make-up work will be provided for any excused absence from class. On the day of the student's return to school, the student/guardian will arrange with the teacher a timeline for the make-up work to be completed. If the student fails to turn in the missed work by the deadline, the student will receive a zero for the missed work. If the absences are for more than five (5) consecutive days, a reasonable timeline will be established for submission of make-up work.
Tutoring Schedule
If any student will like tutoring after school, I will be available on Tuesday through Thursday. The tutoring schedule will be held at 3:20 p.m. until 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Tutoring schedule on Wednesday and Thursday will be held at 3:20 p.m. until 4:40 p.m. Please let me know in advance if tutoring will be an option.
Communication
I will communicate with parents in the following ways:
1. Phone calls
2. Parent conferences
3. Sign Papers (Sent home every two weeks)
4. Progress Reports will be sent home every Thursday.
Parents please contact me or the school for a conference if any problems may arise. If you will like to visit our classroom, please check in with our front office to obtain a visitor’s pass.
Email: (This is the best way to contact me.)
School Phone: (334) 223-6920
Materials
*9 PKS OF WIDE RULED NOTEBOOK PAPER
*5 EA. 3-RINGED PLASTIC *FOLDERS –ASSORTED COLORS
*20 EA. NO. 2 PENCILS
*1 BOOKBAG
Web Links/Resources
Listed below are suggested website that you can review with your child to reinforce skills that will be taught in class.
www.kidsbiology.com
http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/3dcell.htm
http://superkidz.com/humanbody.html
http://www.geography4kids.com/
http://chem4kids.com/
http://science.pppst.com/index.html
Mrs. Webster’s Science Syllabus Read Receipt
Please sign and return this form to Mrs. Webster. This form is stating that you have read and understand 5th Grade Science Syllabus.
I, ______do understand that the assignments are
(print name)
subject to change.
Student Signature ______Date ______
Parent Signature ______Date ______