BENDLE SCHOOL DISTRICT MRS. SHANNON B.

RUSH MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS Science Grade 6 General Science

Course Description Sixth grade science is a year-long course of study aligned with the Michigan Science Grade Level Expectations (GLCEs) and therefore focuses on earth, life, and physical sciences. Students will study composition, properties, and changes of the earth (soil, rock formation, magnetic field), plate tectonics and fossils (plate tectonics, fossils, and geologic time), environmental science (biotic and abiotic factors, interaction of organisms, producers, consumers, and decomposers, relationships of organisms, environmental impact of organisms), and matter and energy (kinetic and potential energy, energy transfer, and changes in state). Students will be graded on a variety of assignments, including labs, simulations, discussion responses, group work, projects, quizzes, presentations and participation. These assignments will help to enrich the student comprehension of the material. This course is intended to increase student appreciation of the complexity of the world, both the biological and physical. Relevance Students who master the most essential benchmarks of grade 6 science will be prepared for the rigor of science in grades 7 and 8 and at high school. They will have a foundation in the basic principles of science including changes of the earth, energy, changes of matter and ecosystems. Course Standards A. Inquiry Process (IP) D. Solid Earth (SE) G. Ecosystems (EC) B. Inquiry Analysis and Communication (IA) E. Earth in Space and Time (ST) H. Energy (EN) C. Reflection and Social Implications (RS) F. Organization of Living Things (OL) I. Changes in Matter (CM)

The most essential benchmarks may be viewed at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/6Science_COMPLETE_12-10-07_218321_7.pdf. Lifelong Learning Standards Knowledgeable Person Complex Thinker Effective Communicator Self-Directed Learner Quality Producer Contributing Citizen

Course Outline Unit 1: Composition, Properties, and Changes of the Earth Chapter 2 Weathering and Soil Formation (ECS) Chapter 3 Erosion and Deposition (ECS) Chapter 5 Rocks (IE) Chapter 1 Magnetism (EM) Unit 2: Plate Tectonics and Fossils Chapter 1 Plate Tectonics (IE) Chapter 4 A Trip Through Geologic Time (ECS) Unit 3: Ecosystems Chapter 1 Populations and Communities (ES) Chapter 2 Ecosystems and Biomes (ES) Chapter 3 Living Resources (ES) Chapter 4 Land, Water, and Air Resources (ES) Unit 4: Matter and Energy Chapter 5 Energy (MFE) Chapter 6 Thermal Energy and Heat (MFE) Chapter 1 Introduction to Matter (CBB) Chapter 2 Solids, Liquids, and Gases (CBB) More Specific Unit Guidelines Located at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/6th_Grade_Complete_1-2709_264583_7.pdf. Instructional Materials Students will be using books from the 2008 Prentice Hall Book Series. We will be covering the following subjects in class using these books: Earths Changing Surface (ECS), Inside Earth (IE), Electricity & Magnetism (EM), Environmental Science (ES), Motion, Forces, & Energy (MFE), and Chemical Building Blocks (CBB). All assignments given for homework will either come with a text summary of the chapter or students will need to use their class notes to find the answers. If any student wants to check out a book, they may do so during after-school hours. Online resources can be found at: http://www.phschool.com/science. Parents as Partners Family involvement is an essential element for a students success in science. Be positive and support homework, dont do it for them. Think of yourself as a guide rather than your childs teacher. You can help by asking questions and listening. You may also help by visiting the online resources and encouraging your child to take advantage of the tutorials, interactive activities, and other online resources listed above. Methods of Assessment Bendle unit pre and post assessments, quizzes, writing activities, lab write-ups, cooperative learning activities, projects

School-Wide Grading System A+=97-100 percent A=93-96 percent A-=90-92 percent B+=87-89 percent B=83-86 percent B-=80-82 percent C+ = 77-79 percent C=73-76 percent C-=70-72 percent I=less than 70 percent

Homework/Class Work 10% Labs/Projects 25% Quizzes 25% Tests 40% MAKE-UP WORK Students submitting work up to two weeks after a trimester may receive up to a 70 percent on the work. Student work submitted after the two week make-up period after the end of the trimester will not be accepted for credit and shall be recorded with a score of zero. Upon returning to school after an absence a student has the responsibility within the number of days equal to the length of the absence to meet with the teacher to develop a plan for making up missed work, quizzes, and examinations. Lower grades will not be given for late work due to excused absences unless the work is submitted later than agreed upon deadlines.

Please Note: All information is tentative and subject to change.