Ms. Elaine LeDuff

6th Grade Math & Science

Syllabus/Expectations 2014-15

Wright Middle School STEAM MAGNET

Room 15

Sixth Grade Math Course Description:

Math 6A and 6B will prepare students for the formal study of algebra, geometry, and advanced mathematical concepts. Students will become proficient in basic operations and problem-solving strategies, including fractions, decimals, statistics and probability.

Math Overview

Ratios and Proportional Relationships

  • Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

The Number System

  • Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions.
  • Multiply and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.
  • Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Expressions and Equations

  • Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.
  • Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.
  • Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables.

Geometry

  • Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

Statistics and Probability

  • Develop understanding of statistical variability.
  • Summarize and describe distributions.

Mathematical Practices

  1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
  2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
  4. Model with mathematics.
  5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
  6. Attend to precision.
  7. Look for and make use of structure.
  8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Sixth Grade Earth Science Course Description:

This inquiry based science program will guide and facilitate learning and establish connections between the various disciplines of Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science, with an emphasis in Earth Science.

Science Overview

MS-ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe

MS-ESS2 Earth’s Systems

MS- ESS3 Earth and Human Activity

MS- ETS1 Engineering Design

For more detailed information please visit -

Daily Classroom Procedures/Expectations

Before the bell: Students will line up outside of the classroom.

As the bell rings: Students will demonstrate they are ready to enter the room by standing in line quietly.

Beginning of class: Students will take out all necessary supplies/assignments due and immediately begin bell work.

During class: Students will participate in classroom activities and complete all given assignments.

End of class: Students will clean up their desk area and write down homework assignments/reminders in their agenda book/planner, if any.

Necessary Supplies

The supplies listed below are necessary for this class and will need to be replenished as needed throughout the school year:

  • Black and/or blue pens (several)
  • #2 pencils (several)
  • Erasers
  • Highlighters
  • 2 - single subject spiral notebooks (one for each of my classes)
  • 2 – composition books (one for each of my classes)
  • Loose leaf lined ruled paper (continuous supply)
  • Three ring binder (2 inches)
  • Post-It Notes – size 3x3 – any color (continuous supply)
  • White Ruled Index Cards – size 4x6 (one package of 100 should be enough)
  • 1 Gallon sized Ziploc Bag
  • Agenda book/planner(for writing down homework assignments, due dates, and reminders)

***ALL supplies MUST be brought to class DAILY***

Class Policies

In order to foster a cooperative learning environment, all students are expected to follow the school wide Essential Expectations & Be REAL:

Essential Expectations

  • Arrive to school in FULL DRESS CODE every single day. Students are asked to wear a solid blue or white collared shirt; solid blue, black, or khaki uniform style pants, shorts, or skirts (at least knee length); solid blue, white, or gray sweatshirts/jackets. No denim, no logos, no prints.)
  • The dress code will help us maintain respectful behavior and attitude towards ALL members of our school community. Remember, it’s all about USS! Unity, Safety, & Status!

Be REAL

  • Respect(be respectful at all times)
  • Empathy(show empathy towards the members of our community)
  • Ambition(exhibit ambition daily)
  • Leadership(be a good example – a leader – each and every day)

Should behavior such as talking, become a problem, it will be handled in the following manner:

  • 1st incident - Verbal Redirect
  • 2nd incident - Verbal Redirect – may briefly speak with student outside the classroom to gain understanding of behavior or the circumstances that may be causing the behavior
  • 3rd incident - Timeout and Refocus Form Reflection
  • 4th incident - Removal
  • 5th incident - Referral to Dean

*Fighting, stealing, bullying, and other serious behaviors will result in an immediate referral to the Dean. I will most likely request that the student be sent home for the day depending on the circumstances.

Positive reinforcement/praise will be given consistently and will result in various rewards/privileges throughout the school year. You and I will decide as we go through the year what those rewards/privileges will be 

Grading Scale & Calculations

A 90 – 100Homework10%

B80 – 89 Classwork 30%

C70 – 79 Projects30%

D60 – 69Assessments30%

Anything below 60 will constitute a no pass/fail.

Electronics

Electronic devices must be shut off and put away during class time. If a device is seen or heard it will be confiscated immediately and will not be given back until a parent/teacher conference is arranged. No warnings will be given. DO NOT bring portable gaming devices, tablets, or MP3 players to school.

Absences & Tardies

Regular attendance is essential to success in my courses. No make-up work will be given for unexcused/uncleared absences and/or tardies. Should a student have an excused absence, he/she will receive one day for each day absent from my class to submit any missed work. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed assignments and must do so outside of class time.

Tutoring & Meetings

Tutoring and assistance is offered before school, afterschool, and at lunch. Please see me beforehand to ensure my availability. Meetings with parents are offered by appointment only. Please contact me via email: to schedule a time to discuss your child’s progress.

Quality of Work, Assignments/Quizzes/Exams

On-time completion of all assignments is essential to success in my courses. Homework is due at the beginning of class. If it is not submitted at the beginning of class it is late. Late assignments automatically receive a 50% deduction and will not be accepted more than one day late. Quizzes can be given in any one of the following manners: weekly, at the end of a unit, at the end of a quarter, with notice, and randomly (without notice). Exams/Tests will be given with prior notice. Complete sentences, capitalization, punctuation, and grade-level appropriate vocabulary and grammar must be present in each assignment. All assignments must be completed NEATLY in either black/blue ink, pencil, and/or typed when required. Assignments completed in marker, crayon, colored pencil, etc., will not be accepted. Handwriting must be neat and legible, if the teacher is unable to read responses they will be marked incorrect which will most likely result in a low score on the assignment. *For MATH assignments, I require that you use PENCIL ONLY; no ink please!

Homework Passes

Four late homework passes will be issued each semester. Passes are accepted for homework only and can only be used to turn in work one day late for full credit eligibility. Lost passes will not be replaced. All passes expire at the end of each semester.

Bathroom Passes

Students are expected to use the restroom before school, during nutrition, and at lunch. Four bathroom passes will be issued each semester for emergencies and must be turned in prior to going to the bathroom. Once the passes are used up, the student will receive a reduced Work Habits and/or Cooperation grade. Lost passes will not be replaced. All passes expire at the end of each semester.

Class Website

Homework, test and quiz info, assignments, etc., can be found on our class website which can be reached through The website will be updated several times a week and should be used as a resource to help increase student success both in and out of the classroom. ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY WEB PAGE ON THE WEBSITE. Once you subscribe to my web page, you will receive email notifications of when I post new information on my page.

I look forward to a fun and rewarding school year with all of you!!!

** PLEASE NOTE – Ms. LeDuff reserves the right to make changes, additions, and/or deletions to this syllabus at any time.

Complete each section below and return this portion during the next class meeting for homework credit.

I have read, reviewed, and understand the 2014-15 course information and expectations for 6th Grade Math/Sciencewith Ms. LeDuff.

Student Name (printed) ______

Student Signature ______

Student Email______

Parent/Guardian Name (printed) ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Parent/Guardian Email______

Parent/Guardian Phone #______

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