Sixth Grade Back to School Night

Schedule 45 minute periods One special in the morning one in the afternoon Choir/Handbells

Technology School website-stjoanfarc/school.org Sixth grade webpage Newsletter Online Updated homework daily

Spelling/ Vocabulary Spelling Book due on Tuesdays, Tests on Wednesdays Calender on website when available Spelling own grade/ Vocab in Reading Grading 65% Test and Quizzes %35 Homework

Sixth Grade Reading Will read 4 novels as a class Literature Circles, NovelTies Bridge to Terabithia The Ear, the Eye and the Arm Among the Hidden Milkweed

Science Grading Tests and Quizzes- 50% Performance- 25% (Labs, projects) Homework- 12.5% Class work %

Independent Reading Book Club-4 choices Book Reports every quarter Each count as 30 Test and Quiz points

Reading Grading 55% Tests and Quizzes 20% Class work 20% Homework 5% Performance

Class Setup Science Section Discovers (mini labs) Section notes in outline, graphic organizers and bullet points Section assignments (reviews, worksheets) Lab average at least once a week Chapter Tests and Assessments

Science Spiral Curriculum New Textbooks Earth Science Life Science Physical Science

Earth Science Plate Tectonics Students will explore the interior of Earth as well as the theory of plate tectonics. Students will build a model of Earth. Students will model sea-floor spreading and convection currents in two separate labs.

Earth Science Earthquakes Students will investigate the different seismic waves and scales in which earthquakes are measured. Students will also learn about earthquake safety and hazards. In the lab Modeling Movement Along Faults students will use playdough to model faulting. Students will also locate the epicenter of an earthquake in the lab Locating an Epicenter. Finally students will debate the risks of an earthquake in a Science and Society feature Finally students will debate the risks of an earthquake in a Science and Society feature

Earth Science Volcanoes In this chapter students will take their prior knowledge from the past chapters and apply it to Volcanoes. In this chapter students will take their prior knowledge from the past chapters and apply it to Volcanoes. Students will explore volcanic activity and landforms. Students will explore volcanic activity and landforms. Students will research the effect of volcanoes on society in the past. Students will understand the connection between volcanoes and earthquakes in the lab Mapping Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Students will also model the movement of magma inside a volcano in the lab Gelatin Volcanoes.

Earth Science Rocks Rocks Students will classify and identify the three types of rocks as well as explore the rock cycle. Students will classify and identify the three types of rocks as well as explore the rock cycle. Some labs in this chapter include Mystery Rocks where students will use properties of rocks to help classify them. Students will also model the rock cycle using chocolate. Some labs in this chapter include Mystery Rocks where students will use properties of rocks to help classify them. Students will also model the rock cycle using chocolate. At the conclusion of the chapter students will explore an interdisciplinary unit on rocks that includes language arts and social studies lessons. At the conclusion of the chapter students will explore an interdisciplinary unit on rocks that includes language arts and social studies lessons.

Life Science Cells: The Building Blocks of Life In this chapter students will learn what characteristics all living things share as well as the different parts and functions of the cell. Some labs include Please Pass the Bread, which examines mold growth, A Magnified View of Life which looks at the difference between plant and animal cells. Students will also build a model of the cell using edible items.

Life Science Cell Processes and Energy In this chapter students will learn how a cell carries out its necessary functions for survival. The chapter lab is titles Gases in Balance and examines both photosynthesis and respiration. In this chapter students will model both mitosis and DNA structure. In this chapter students will model both mitosis and DNA structure.

Life Science Interactions Among Organisms Bacteria Reproduction Body Organization and Homeostasis

Physical Science General Properties of Matter Students will describe matter in terms of specific properties Students will learn the difference between weight and mass Students will define volume and density Students will complete several labs to further understand matter

Physical Science Physical and Chemical Changes Physical and Chemical Changes Students will describe the four states of matter Students will identify the phase changes in matter Students will distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter Students will complete several labs on physical and chemical properties of matter, such as the changing state of a burning candle

Earth Science Energy Resources In this chapter students will investigate fossil fuels, renewable sources of energy, nuclear energy and energy conservation. In the lab Cooking With Sunshine students will determine the best shape for a solar panel. In the lab Cooking With Sunshine students will determine the best shape for a solar panel. Students will debate the cost of hydroelectric dams in a Science and Society assignment. Finally in the lab Keeping Comfortable students will investigate which materials are most effective in heat transfer. Finally in the lab Keeping Comfortable students will investigate which materials are most effective in heat transfer.

Syllabus The complete syllabus can be found on the Sixth Grade Science Webpage

Science Fair Sixth Grade will not participate in Science Fair this year Focus on curriculum Will do individually in Seventh and Eighth Grade