6th Grade Life Science Syllabus

 

Middle School Life Science  

Syllabus/Class Overview Expectations

 

1. Course Description: 

Middle School Life Science is a rigorous academic course designed to support all students at their current level and encourage growth and development in their academic abilities. This course will enable students to understand, apply, analyze, and evaluate scientific concepts. Students will also demonstrate knowledge and skills through the creation of models and cumulative projects.

2.   Instructional Philosophy: 

The instructional philosophy of the Life Science course includes an approach to learning that engages students physically and cognitively in a rich and rigorous inquiry-driven laboratory program where students operate as “Student-Scientists.” The primary goal of the program is to develop substantial science literacy in all students. The program must provide students with opportunities to expand, change, enhance, and modify the ways in which they view the world. Teachers facilitate an environment that promotes students' thinking, honesty, curiosity, and questioning. Students will be empowered to express and share points of view, solve problems, and make decisions based on evidence.

 3.   Major Course Goals: 

The intent of standard LS (LS.2 – LS.11) is that students will continue to develop a range of inquiry skills and achieve proficiency with those skills in the context of the concepts developed at the Honors level. Standard LS does not require a discrete unit on scientific investigation because the inquiry skills that make up the standard should be incorporated in all the other course standards. It is also intended that by developing these skills, students will achieve greater understanding of scientific inquiry and the nature of science, as well as more fully grasp the content-related concepts in the standards. It is also intended that models, simulations and current applications are used throughout the course in order to learn and reinforce science concepts.

4.   Major Course Projects & Instructional Activities: 

Throughout the school year, as we embark upon units of study that allow for projects, the  Science Department will work with other core teachers to incorporate cross-curricular projects aligned to the specific standard. For each project students will be given ample time (a minimum of one week - longer as needed) and a rubric as a guideline for students to know they can be successful. Class time will be given for these projects; however, there may be time needed at home to complete or work on some of these projects. The Science department will work together to provide necessary materials for students, but there could be some projects that students will have a choice in picking a particular experiment/concept. Please make sure students and parents are having conversations about what is the best choice for that student and that sufficient time and materials will be able to be purchased or used. Project grades will be weighted the same as test grades, and students will need a parent signature on the rubric that will be sent home at the start of the project. The signature will be checked by the teacher and returned to the student for use throughout the project. That same rubric needs to be turned in with the project so the teacher can use it to grade the students' project/presentation or both as needed. Reminders will be sent home via our class communication program (Class Dojo) and as always if questions arise during the project process please feel free to reach out to the teacher.
 

5.            Course Assessment Plan (DPS Grading Scale): 

Throughout the course we will cover 17 units: Cell Structure, Cell Reproduction, Cellular Processes, Organization in Plants and Animals, Classification of Organisms, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration, Cycles, Energy Flow through Living Systems, Relationships in a Food Web, Organization and Interactions in an Environment, Adaptation of Species, Environmental Changes, Interdependence, Genes and Proteins, Inheritance and Genetic Variation, Changing Populations, and Evidence of common Ancestry. There will be a pre and post assessments for all units along with supplementary check-ins throughout the course to determine the student’s retention of the material. There are multiple ways students can “show what they know,” including open-ended constructed responses, performance tasks/events, and multiple choice assessments. Students will be required to redo post assignment work until it meets a standard of quality for the course.

GRADING POLICY

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100               C= 70-79

B= 80-89                 D= 60-69

F= below 60

Grade Weights

Gold Category = 40%

Silver Category = 35%

Bronze Category = 25% 

6.                  Re-Do/Retest Power:

The Re-Do program is a comprehensive plan to assist in mastering the objective in our school. On the formative assessments, essays and major assignments students who receive a grade below a 70 will be provided a second opportunity to demonstrate they have mastered the objectives for ½ credit. The end result is that the student achieves greater academic success on report cards and increases the likelihood they will master the material

7.                  Late Work:

Late work will be accepted according to the following guidelines:

1 Day: cap of 90% (deducted 10 point)

2 Day: cap of 80% (deducted 20 point)

3 Day: cap of 70% (deducted 30 point)

4 Day: cap of 60% (deducted 40 point)

5 Day: cap of 50% (deducted 50 point)

Work that is more than 5 days late will be accepted until the nine weeks deadline for a maximum grade of 50%.

8.            Classroom Expectations: 

1. Be on time and prepared for class with your materials every day. Materials: Agenda, Notebook, Journal, Workbook, Sharpened Pencil, Text Book, Highlighter

2. Raise your hand before you speak and listen while others are speaking.

3. Observe all safety precautions at all times, failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the classroom.

4. Write all homework, tests and quizzes in your agenda. This is an expectation for 6th grade. Agendas will not be signed by teachers. It is your job to make sure all homework is complete for the next class.

5. Clean up after yourself and leave your area as neat and organized as it was when you arrived.

6. ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST AND BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS

7.                  Supplies and Materials Needed: 

• Pencils (1 pack)
• Folders (1)
• Spiral Notebook (1)
• Highlighters (at least two colors)
• Loose Leaf Paper (2 packs)
• 3 Ring Binder with Dividers
• Hand Sanitizer (1) 

 

8.            DPS Homework Policy: 

Homework is due the next school day unless otherwise noted. If homework is not completed on the due date, the student will have 2 weeks to complete the assignment for credit. After two weeks the students will receive no credit for the assignment.

9.            Extra Help:

Resources for Extra assistance include FEV Tutoring, Khan Academy, and after school remediation times. Tutoring will begin after the first six weeks. Tutoring will be invitation only but parents can also request tutoring for the particular class.

10.         Time and Place to be reached by Parent: 

Contact Information

         Bonner Middle School: (434) 799-6446

            Available Phone Hours: Monday- Friday (7:30am – 3:00pm)

         Planning/Parent-Teacher conference: Monday-Friday (11:20 pm-12:20 pm)