Mrs. Sandy Skora

Call (310) 545-4878 x3019, OR email to sskora@manhattan.k12.ca.us

Course Title: 6th grade Science

Homework Assignments:

Date Assigned Date-Due Specific Assignments

1/9/06

  1. Read pages 400-403 and answer questions, DRW, Chapter 15, section 2 - due tomorrow
  2. Atmosphere Poster - Due January 20th.
  3. Vocabulary quiz #1 - Thursday, January 12th.

1/4/06

  1. Check out January's newsletter below
  2. Homework is the same as 1/3/06

1/3/06
The following items are due on Friday, January 6th
1. Adaptations Poster
2. Read pages 394-399 and answer DRW (Directed Reading Worksheet), Chapter 15, section 1 questions.
3. Earth's Amazing Atmosphere (handout)

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SCIENCE? January, 2006
This month we will study Chapter 15 and 16 dealing with Weather. In this unit students will learn the composition and layers of the atmosphere. They will be able to explain why pressure changes and how temperature changes with altitude. They will also learn the relationship between air pressure and wind direction and understand how different air masses and fronts effect our weather. In order to teach these concepts we will not only be using the textbook but students will be involved in many internet activities using our All Weather Station. There will be two vocabulary quizzes. The first one is scheduled on Thursday, January 12th and the second one on Tuesday, January 24th. Our test and notebook check on this unit is scheduled for Friday, January 27th.

(Beginning of year letter/expectations)
A LETTER FROM YOUR SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER

Welcome to Manhattan Beach Middle School! As a science team, the science teachers have put together curriculum I think will be exciting and challenging for all 6th grade students. Mark your calendars now for Science School. The dates are November 14-18. More information will be sent home from the Parent Science School Committee.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
Sixth grade students need to have an active role in their learning. I will be giving mini-lectures on important concepts in the chapter that we are studying; otherwise students will be learning and discovering from each other through experiments and activities in cooperative learning groups. My philosophy is students learn best by discovering through hands-on science.

ASSESSMENT
Final grades will be based on a point system. The points will come from notebook checks (which include note taking, daily work and homework), writing assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests.

NOTEBOOK AND CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
The Science notebook is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to my program!!!! This is your tool to find out what is going on in Science and how your child is doing.

NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION
Front pocket: All graded papers for grading period.
Middle Section: Notes
Back Pocket: All handouts and completed loose papers.

Brad folders may be purchased in class for 25 cents or purchased from Office Depot. Students will also need 2 sharpened pencils, 2 pens (blue or black ink only), 3 x 5 index cards, and notebook paper. All other supplies will be provided. A supply list of items that may be donated to our science class is attached.

NOTEBOOK GRADING
Notebooks are graded in class at the end of a unit. For the first few units, students will receive the grade sheet in class the day before and we will go over it to give them a chance to re-organize their work. It has been my experience that after the first few grading sessions, the students keep their work organized; however, I will have the grade sheets ready a day or two before a grading session for any students who want to check over their work independently. I am available at nutrition to help any student who needs more assistance.
For those students who do not take tests well, they like the fact that they can really try their best and get a good grade in science because the notebook grades are so much of the total score. This method of assessment also helps to teach the sixth grader responsibility as well as accountability for their assignments.

HOMEWORK
Homework will usually be given two or three times a week which should take approximately 20 minutes. Occasionally, it will be given more often when projects are due and may be given on Friday but will not be due until Tuesday the following week. Homework will be checked either the next day or during a notebook check. If a student has met the expectations of the assignment a stamp will be put at the top of the page. This means the assignment will be automatically given full credit when the notebooks are checked.
If the homework is incomplete, or not done in the manner it was asked to be done, points will be deducted. Late assignments will be accepted but fewer points will be given for that assignment. If a student is absent, it is the student's responsibility to get credit for an assignment due the day they were gone. It is also their responsibility to find out what assignments they missed.

CLASS WORK
Class work is also counted in the notebook check. Again, if an assignment is completed the assignment will be stamped and receive full credit. If the assignment is incomplete then points will be deducted.

WORK HABITS AND CITIZENSHIP GRADES
Work habits and citizenship grades are marked on the report card as 0 (outstanding), S (satisfactory), N (needs improvement), and U (Unsatisfactory). Work habits grade is based solely on the student's performance on notebook checks. Citizenship grades are based on behavior as well as how well a student is prepared for class. If a student is not ready for class when the bell rings they will receive a tardy. Three tardies denotes a detention.

NEWSLETTERS
Once a month a newsletter will be written explaining what will be covered in class during that month, any upcoming long-term projects being assigned, and special announcements pertaining to our science class. The first one (September) may be found above. This will hopefully keep you fully informed of what is happening in 6th grade science. Feel free, however, to call or e-mail any time you have questions.