Syllabus for

6th Grade Earth Science

Ms. Corey

Sutton Middle School is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program School. It is a program of international education designed to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world.

Teacher Bio: Before I became teacher, I worked in the tax department at PricewaterhouseCoopers, our business partner. I hold a degree in chemistry as well as a teaching degree in middle school science and math. This is my fifth year teaching Earth Science at Sutton Middle School.

Course Description: Earth Science is the study of Earth and Space. You will learn some of the fundamental skills, concepts and methods of physical, biological and earth sciences as they impact our universe. Included in this course are the study of the earth's air, water and physical processes as they shape the physical world as well as an emphasis on practical evaluation of the world's energy and environmental problems. The content of this course is determined by the standards set forth in Georgia’s Performance Standards.

Georgia Performance Standards Based Units for 1st and 2nd Semester:

Unit: Rocks and Minerals / Unit: Weathering/ and Erosion / Unit: Inside the Earth / Unit: Water in Earth’s Processes / Unit: Climate and Weather / Unit: Universe and Solar System / Unit: Earth, Moon, and Sun / Unit: Human
Impact
Focus: Rock compositions Classification of rocks Rock formation processes Fossil evidence / Focus: Weathering,
erosion, and deposition Soil Human activity/
erosion Conserving natural resources / Focus: Earth’s crust, mantle, and core Plate tectonics / Focus: Earth’s water Factors affecting water cycle Subsurface topography Currents, waves, and tides / Focus: Tilt of the Earth Effect of heat on weather patterns Unequal heating of land and water Wind and water energy Ocean’s moisture and evaporation Related Topics Factors affecting water cycle / Focus: Historical scientific models Solar System Planets Gravity Comets, asteroids, and meteors / Focus: Motion of objects in day/night sky Relative positions of earth, moon, and sun Related Topic: Tides / Focus: Effects of
human activity
on erosion
Conserving natural
resources Sun’s
relationship to
wind and water
energy Renewable
and nonrenewable
resources

Textbooks: Prentice Hall: Georgia Earth Science – This textbook is available online. In order to register for online access, please see attached instructions. Our textbooks are backordered and will be distributed as soon as possible. We do have a limited supply of textbooks on hand for students who do not have access to the internet. We would appreciate if you would use the online textbook until our order arrives at school.

Supplies: Please see sixth grade supply list.

Academic Grading Scale: A = 90 – 100

B = 80 – 89

C = 70 – 79

F = 0 – 69

Grading System: Grades are weighted as follows:

Classwork/Participation 15%

Projects/Labs 25%

Homework 10%

Tests 30%

Quizzes/Notebook 20%

Progress Reports: Students’ progress will be updated every four and a half weeks at a minimum. Deficiency notices will also be sent home per Atlanta Public Schools schedule.

Absences and Late Work: It is the student’s responsibility to make up all missed assignments. Make up work grace period is determined by the number of days absent.

Conferences and Communication: Please contact Ms. Miller in the main office at 404-802-5600 in order to schedule a team conference regarding student progress. If you have specific questions related to student progress, please email at . I will return any received emails within two business days.

Online Textbook Web Address: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Verification of Parent Receipt of Syllabus for Earth Science:

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Please Sign and Return to Ms. Corey by Thursday, August 13, 2009

My parents/guardians and I have read and discussed the syllabus and understand what is expected of me in Ms. Corey’s Earth Science class.

______

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