Course Description and Guidelinesfor 6th Grade Physical Science

Teacher: Mrs. Dzubak

  • Telephone: (914) 669- 5414 ext. 2195
  • ( best way to reach me )
  • After School Extra Help:

Tuesdays and Thursdays(2:15 to 2:55)

Description of the Class

The sixth grade science program is designed to introduce students to middle school level science. The curriculum focuses on the physical sciences of physics and chemistry while integrating such concepts into the branches of life and earth sciences.

Within the framework of the class, students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of science by: designing projects in collaboration with other students, performing various hands on activities toreinforce and comprehend concepts taught and analyze data and draw conclusions in order solve problems. Students’ self - evaluations of their performance will further enable them to take on a more active role in the learning process.

Policy in Class

Students are expected to come to class on time and with the proper materials: notebook, lab book, text (when specified), pens, pencils, agenda and calculator (when specified).

Participation in class is an integral part to their understanding important scientific facts and phenomena. As a result, raising one’s hand to ask a question, voice an opinion or add to the discussion is necessary to maintain a healthy and productive classroom environment. Speaking while someone else is speaking further creates distraction to others who are interested in learning.

Students who fail to meet these expectations will be given two warnings prior to filling out a ‘time out’ sheet which calls the individual to reflect on their behavior in class. Three ‘time out’ sheets warrant a one-hour after school detention with the teacher.

Parents’ Role

Parents are asked to allow their kids to take on more responsibility and accept that responsibility, while assisting and supporting them to do their best. Encourage them to use the homework website (themselves) especially when absent. The website also has access to my blog and copies of class notes.

The following textbooks areresources used in class:

1. Motion, Forces and Energy 5. Sound and Light

  1. Chemical Building Blocks 6. General Science text(handouts)
  2. Chemical Interactions
  1. Electricity and Magnetism 7. Science Plus (class text.)

Labs

Students, as well as their parents, will be asked to read and sign a lab safety contract after lab safety rules have been discussed in class. Failure to follow these rules may warrant a removal from in class lab work. A lab book will be kept containing all the labs completed in class.

Grading

  • Quarter grades will consist of:

Tests: * will count 2 times toward determining the

average and will be given at the end of each unit of study.

Quizzes: * will count 1 time towards determining the average

Homework: * overall average will count as 25%

Projects: * graded dependent upon the project

(either counted as a test grade or quiz grade.)

  • Homework will be graded on a 5- point scale system. To ensure full credit, accuracy of content, neatness in presentation and use of complete sentences when necessary is required.
  • Three late coupons are given each quarter for homework. These coupons enable each student to hand in acollected homework assignment two days late without penalty. If he/she should exceed the two-day grace period, the best he/she can obtain on the assignment is a 3.

At the end of the quarter students receive bonus points. Each coupon is worth one point.

  • All homework, quizzes and tests will be returned to the student as a means to study for a cumulative exam at the end of the year. These items will be kept in a class folder which will be given to them in June.

Opportunities for improvement

  • On Homework, Quizzes and Tests

** Students may have the ability to improve a homework,

quiz or test grade by:

  1. Quizzes - completing note cards for science vocabulary
  2. Tests – making corrections on the test to average it with a 90 or take a retest.

** opportunity for improvement will be determined when the

test/quiz is returned.

  1. Some homework assignments under a 4 may be upgraded for the best grade of a 4. This opportunity will be written on the top of the returned assignment.

Make – Up for tests and quizzes due to absence

Upon return from a legal absence the student will have up to 3 days to make up a quiz or test.