6th Grade Science Syllabus- Mr. Biegun
Welcome to our class! We will have an exciting year of exploration and discovery using the tools of science. Students will practice observing and thinking like scientists, and will learn to use scientific techniques to explore our incredible world. I am very pleased to have you in my class this year. I absolutely LOVE learning about science, and I hope you will learn to love it as well.
Contact information: *email generally works best, but call if the matter is urgent
email: [email protected] classroom phone/voicemail: (248) 537-6342
Required Materials: Students should bring to Science class every day-
• pencils (always keep a good supply on hand!)
• red pens for checking work
• spiral notebook to take notes
• pocket folder or binder to keep notes and handouts
Curriculum: This year AMS will be piloting a new science curriculum called Mi-STAR. This program, currently being developed by Michigan Tech University, aligns with the New Michigan Science Standards adopted in the fall of 2015. (Our state standards are virtually identical to the Next Generation Science Standards now being used across much of the U.S.) To learn more about Mi-Star, information can be found at https://mi-star.mtu.edu .
In the first trimester we will practice science process skills such as:
Be a Science “Maniac”!
Students know our school MANIAC slogan: “Maintain respect, Always do your best, Need to be responsible, In and Around Avondale Middle School. How does that apply to Science class?
Grading
I will use a weighted grading system, with summative assessments counting for 60% of the grade, and formative assessments counting for 40%.
Note: Summative assessments are activities such as tests and quizzes, which are intended to determine what the child has learned by the end of a section of study. Formative assessments, such as homework and classroom lab activities are more like “taking the temperature” to find out how a child is progressing during a unit.
An analogy for this would be an athlete who participates on the Track team. During practice the coach may time the student in several attempts at the 100 meter dash. This is formative assessment. The summative assessment is the actual track meet competition.
Homework
I expect all homework to be turned in on time, however students are offered two exceptions to this rule if needed.
Contact information: *email generally works best, but call if the matter is urgent
email: [email protected] classroom phone/voicemail: (248) 537-6342
Required Materials: Students should bring to Science class every day-
• pencils (always keep a good supply on hand!)
• red pens for checking work
• spiral notebook to take notes
• pocket folder or binder to keep notes and handouts
Curriculum: This year AMS will be piloting a new science curriculum called Mi-STAR. This program, currently being developed by Michigan Tech University, aligns with the New Michigan Science Standards adopted in the fall of 2015. (Our state standards are virtually identical to the Next Generation Science Standards now being used across much of the U.S.) To learn more about Mi-Star, information can be found at https://mi-star.mtu.edu .
In the first trimester we will practice science process skills such as:
- • Observing and InferringGenerating Scientific Questions
- • Generating Scientific Questions
- • Using different “scientific methods” to investigate our questions
- • Learning to communicate like scientists (discuss, debate, argue from evidence)
- • Use various measurement tools while conducting investigations
- • Recognize and analyze independent variables, dependent variables and standardized variables
- • The Water Cycle
- • Investigating and Modeling Body Systems
- • Chemical Processes in Organism Digestion
- • Forces and Motion
- • Plant Growth
- • Interactions within Ecosystems
- • Cycling of Energy and Matter Through Food Webs
Be a Science “Maniac”!
Students know our school MANIAC slogan: “Maintain respect, Always do your best, Need to be responsible, In and Around Avondale Middle School. How does that apply to Science class?
- • Maintain Respect: Recognize everyone’s right to learn; share your ideas- and listen to others!
- •Always Do Your Best: Put forth your best effort on assignments; study for tests and quizzes
- • Need to Be Responsible: come to class prepared with agenda and needed supplies every day
- • And sometimes . . . be ready to duck! (Experiments occasionally produce some crazy results!)
Grading
I will use a weighted grading system, with summative assessments counting for 60% of the grade, and formative assessments counting for 40%.
Note: Summative assessments are activities such as tests and quizzes, which are intended to determine what the child has learned by the end of a section of study. Formative assessments, such as homework and classroom lab activities are more like “taking the temperature” to find out how a child is progressing during a unit.
An analogy for this would be an athlete who participates on the Track team. During practice the coach may time the student in several attempts at the 100 meter dash. This is formative assessment. The summative assessment is the actual track meet competition.
Homework
I expect all homework to be turned in on time, however students are offered two exceptions to this rule if needed.
- (Best choice!) Students may bring a note from a parent asking for an extra day to complete an assignment. This works just like a homework pass (below), except that the parent may write a note as often as he or she wishes. I do not need to know the reason for the note. I only ask that the note be turned in at the time the assignment is due (not later), so that I know you are aware of the assignment. If you, the parent, feel that your child deserves an extra day, I will be glad to comply. These papers will receive full credit if turned in the following day.
- (2nd choice) Each student will be issued two Science Homework Passes at the beginning of each trimester. A pass can be used at any time to request one extra day to complete an assignment. Full credit is given for these assignments if turned in next day. Homework passes should be saved for “emergencies” (lost papers, etc.) Unused passes will be “bought back” for a sweet reward at the end of the trimester.