Syllabus

Syllabus

Ms. Vaughn 6th Grade Science

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

                My name is Ms. Mindy Vaughn and I will be your child's 6th grade science teacher. I am so excited that your child is part of the Roaring Tigers.

                This is my second year of teaching, and I feel that I have a lot of things to bring into the classroom. I will use a variety of learning styles, including many hands on activities, throughout the school year in order for your child to get the best educational experience possible.

                This will be a wonderful year with the help and cooperation of the students, the parent(s)/guardian(s), and myself. Please read all of the following, sign and complete the information, and return the forms to me by Friday August 15, 2008.

                If there are any questions, please contact me by phone: (334) 887-1940 or by email: mlvaughn@auburnschools.org.  Also, please make sure to check out my webpage for more information about your child's assignments: www.auburnschools.org/drake/mlvaughn

Sincerely,

Mindy Vaughn

 

 

 

Earth Science – Course Syllabus

 

Teacher: Ms. Mindy Vaughn
Subject:   6th Grade Science

Room: 102 (Main Building)
Email: mlvaughn@auburnschools.org
Web Page: www.auburnschools.org/drake/mlvaughn

 

Text: Earth Science – McDougal Littell, STC/MS Catastrophic Events, STC/MS Earth in Space

 

Materials:  2 Composition notebooks, pen or pencil, ruler

 

Course Description:

The curriculum for 6th grade focuses on Earth and Space Science.  We will focus on Earth Science the first semester, and move on to Space Science during the second semester.  We will be using two hands-on science modules that cover the objectives outlined in the Alabama Course of Study – Science (Catastrophic Events and Earth in Space).  The lessons and labs in the modules are inquiry-based, which allows students to develop critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities.  Through the support of the teacher and parents, students will be able to tap into their imagination and be provided opportunities for investigation, which enables students to have an active part in learning.

 

Grading Procedures:

 

Class Work/Quizzes – Class work consists of lab reports, notes, vocabulary, worksheets and any other material covered during a class period.  Quizzes may be announced or unannounced (pop quiz) and will cover recent material that has been discussed in class or performed in lab work.  Class work and Quizzes account for 40 percent of science grade.

 

Homework – Homework assignments are to be turned in the next day unless otherwise noted at the time of assignment.  Homework not turned in on time will result in a student earning half credit.  Homework accounts for 10 percent of science grade.

 

Tests/Projects – Tests will be given at the end of each unit, or there may be a test given midway if the unit is extensive. Students will be given tests on unit content as well as vocabulary. Students will also be given 1 Open Notebook Test each nine weeks. Projects are usually given the second part of the year. Tests/Projects account for 50 percent of science grade

 

           

Grading Scale

 

                        100 – 90 = A

                          89 – 80 = B

                          79 – 70 = C

                          69 – 65 = D

                            64 – 0 = F

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:  Alabama Sixth Grade Course of Study Alignment to Science Modules

Course of Study Objective

Science Module, Text

1. Identify global patterns of atmospheric movement, including El Niño, the Gulf Stream, the jet stream, the Coriolis effect, and global winds that influence local weather.

·         Predicting local weather and weather patterns

Examples:   cold and warm fronts, high and low pressure areas

·         Describing the function of instruments and technology used to investigate Earth’s weather, including barometers, thermometers, wind socks, weather vanes, satellites, radar, weather balloons, and rain gauges

·         Using lines of latitude and longitude to locate areas of specific weather events

·         Interpreting weather data through observations collected over time

Example:     calculating annual precipitation and average temperature

Cat. Events Lessons 2,3,4,5,6,7,9

2.     Describe factors that cause changes to Earth’s surface over time.

Examples:   earthquakes, volcanoes, weathering, erosion, glacial erosion or scouring, deposition, water flow, tornadoes, hurricanes, farming and conservation, mining and reclamation, deforestation and reforestation, waste disposal, global climate changes, greenhouse gases

·         Comparing constructive and destructive natural processes and their effects on land formations

Examples:   constructive—volcanic and mountain-building processes;
destructive—erosion by wind, water, and ice

·         Distinguishing rock strata by geologic composition

Examples:   predicting relative age of strata by fossil depth, predicting occurrence of natural events by rock composition in a particular strata

Cat. Events Lessons 2,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,

18,19,20,21,22,23,24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth in Space Lessons 12,13,17,18

3.     Describe water and carbon biogeochemical cycles and their effects on Earth.

Cat. Events Lesson 6

4.     Explain the plate tectonic theory.

Example:     using terminology such as continental drift, seafloor spreading, lava, magma, eruption, epicenter, focus, seismic wave, and subduction zone

·         Describing types of volcanoes and faults

·         Determining energy release through seismographic data

Example:     using data from the Mercalli scale and the Richter scale

Cat. Events Lessons 10,11,12,14

 

 

Earth in Space Lesson 13

     5.    Describe layers of the oceanic hydrosphere, including the pelagic zone, benthic zone, abyssal zone, and intertidal zone.

McDougal Littell Text

    6.     Describe regions of the oceanic lithosphere, including the continental shelf, continental slope, and abyssal plain.

Cat. Events Lesson 7

7.     Describe Earth’s biomes.

Examples:   aquatic biomes, grasslands, deserts, chaparrals, taigas, tundras

·         Identifying geographic factors that cause diversity in flora and fauna, including elevation, location, and climate

McDougal Littell Text

    8.     Describe how Earth’s rotation, Earth’s axial tilt, and distance from the equator cause variations in the heating and cooling of various locations on Earth.

Cat. Events Lessons 3,8

Earth in Space Lesson 3,4

    9.     Identify the moon’s phases.

·         Describing lunar and solar eclipses

·         Relating effects of the moon’s positions on oceanic tides

Earth in Space Lessons 5,6,7,16

    10.    Describe components of the universe and their relationships to each other, including stars, planets and their moons, solar systems, and galaxies.

·         Identifying the impact of space exploration on innovations in technology

Examples:   MRI, microwave, satellite imagery, GPS

·         Mapping seasonal changes in locations of constellations in the night sky

·         Describing the life cycle of a star

Example:     H-R diagram

Cat. Events Lesson 1

 

 

Earth in Space Lessons 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13

14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21

    11.    Describe units used to measure distance in space, including astronomical units and light years.

Earth in Space Lessons 2, 11

Make up work:  If a student is absent from class/school for the day it is their responsibility to obtain and complete any missed assignments.  A student has five days to complete make up work, but must keep in mind that during that period of time we are still moving forward with new material so it is best to try and complete make up work as soon as possible to avoid falling behind in class. 

Science Notebook:  The science notebook serves in part as our textbook during the year due to the amount of information recorded in lab reports and reflections.  It is very important for students to keep a neat, organized, and up-to-date notebook.

Planner:  Students should bring their planners to class everyday to record what was done in class that day and any upcoming due dates or test dates.

 

Class Rules:

Be Respectful

Follow instructions

Be considerate

Use appropriate language

Be Responsible

     Bring ALL materials to class

     Keep up with assignments

 

Be Ready

Be on time

Be prepared for class

 

 

Discipline/Consequences:

· 1st offense: verbal warning

· 2nd offense: student/teacher conference

·3rd offense: call home immediately/silent lunch

· 4th offense: after school detention with teacher

· 5th offense: office referral

 

 

 

After you have read the syllabus, please complete the information below and return it to me by August 15, 2008.

 

Student Name: _____________________    Student Signature: ________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________________________________

   

 

Student Information:

 

If any, please list the student's Allergies: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Additional  Information: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Parent Information :

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

                 ___________________________________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers:  _______________________   (day)      ___________________(night)

 

 

Please make sure to read and sign the safety contract on the back!

 

 

 

 

Laboratory Safety Contract

Science is a hands-on laboratory class. You will be doing many laboratory activities which require the use of hazardous chemicals. Safety in the science classroom is the #1 priority for students, teachers, and parents. To ensure a safe science classroom, a list of rules has been developed and provided to you in this student safety contract. These rules must be followed at all times.

 

Safety Rules

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory.

2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully.

3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.

4. Do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.

5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.

6. Be prepared for your work in the laboratory. Read all procedures thoroughly before entering the laboratory.

7. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.

8. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.

9.   Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments.

10. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.

11. Safety goggles, apron, closed-toe shoes, and gloves should be worn by everyone (including visitors) upon entering the science laboratory.

12. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have permission from your instructor.

13. Long hanging necklaces, heavy jewelry, and excessive and bulky clothing should not be worn in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back.   No sandals allowed

14. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately.

 

15. Do you wear contact lenses?    _____ YES   _____ NO

 

16. Are you color blind? _____ YES   _____ NO

 

17. Do you have allergies?   _____ YES   _____   NO

 

If so, list specific allergies________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Failure to follow these rules will result in the following:

·Warning from teacher

·Lab Ticket sent home/Silent Lunch

·Lab Ticket sent home/Silent Lunch/Team Detention

·Discipline Referral

 

Student Signature: ______________________________________      Date: ____________________

 

Parent Signature: _______________________________________      Date: ____________________

 

 

References: Flinn's Safety Contract. http://www.flinnsci.com/Documents/miscPDFs/Safety_Contract.pdf