Welcome to 6th grade Science! I am excited to get to know more about each of you in our class while we learn and discover natural phenomena in our world. This year we will be using our own natural curiosity in order to better understand just how the world around us works. We will focus on looking for patterns and connections across many different units of study. You will practice making and editing models to represent how events work in the world of science. In addition you will develop skills in laboratory techniques, mathematics, scientific literacy, and respectful communication as we learn more as scientists in the 21st century.
[MRS. FERDINAND’S TIPS] - How can you be successful in science class this year?
[GRADING] - How will I be graded in science class this year?
POWERSCHOOL
PowerSchool is the system used to record student grades. You should check PowerSchool regularly to keep track of your child’s grades as grades will change often as assignments are input. Parents and students will soon receive their access to PowerSchool. You may download the app to receive real-time notifications of grade changes.
Parents: Email me ( jbriceferdinand@stamfordct.gov ) if you have any questions about your child’s grade.
Students: Speak to your teachers if you have any questions about your grade.
Units of Study
1. Land, Water and Human Interactions
2. Geological Processes
3. Earth Resources and Human Population
4. Weather and Climate
5. Solar System and Beyond
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
This is your 1 - 1.5 inch science binder for class. Most of what we do in class will be kept in this binder. It has to be organized in a specific way and kept up to date. Binders will be graded once a quarter.
Lab-Aids and the Science Textbooks
Our science units are designed by a company called Lab-Aids. Your textbooks for each unit can be found online at the Lab-Aids website (www.labaids.com). Each student will receive a username and password at a later date.
Username: TBD Password: TBD
Computers, Printing, and Integrity of Student Work
Though many assignments for this class will be hand-written, a few will be typed. Most typed assignments will be submitted through Google Classroom or shared on Google Drive. I will provide a code for Google Classroom at a later date.
Whether the classwork assigned is an individual or group assignment, the original work from all students must be evident
(you must submit your own work). Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Printing of assignments must be done before you come to class.
What if I’m absent?
Most of us will miss a day of school now and again. No matter the reason, it is your responsibility to check the website for work you have missed and to turn it in on the following day. Work not turned in the following day will not be accepted and will be scored a 0, except in the case of a reasonable excuse.
Worksheets given in class can be found in the “While You Were Out” folders.
Questions or Concerns?
Speak to me in class or send an email to:jbriceferdinand@stamfordct.gov. Please include your name in the subject line!
[MRS. FERDINAND’S TIPS] - How can you be successful in science class this year?
- Start off (and stay!) organized! This includes coming to class prepared. Each day, you should bring:
- Your 1” science binder and notebook (Interactive Science Notebook)
- A sharpened pencil, eraser, highlighter and color pencils
- A positive attitude!
- Your 1” science binder and notebook (Interactive Science Notebook)
- Make a habit of checking the science website (www.thesciencecloset.com). If you misplace a document or are absent, you can usually find it there.
- Take responsibility by advocating for yourself. If you’re struggling with a concept, can’t find something on the website, missed an assignment, or are having another issue in class, please come and talk to me. My role as your teacher is to help you, so let me know when you need the help!
- Study! - Revise your notes everyday. Don’t leave studying for the last minute. Be prepared!
- It’s ok to not get it all right at first! Much of this is new. You will stumble but remember to look at where you went wrong, keep going and try harder!
[GRADING] - How will I be graded in science class this year?
- Formal Assessments (35%) - quizzes, unit tests, midterm, final
- Alternative Assessments (30%) binder checks, projects,labs, presentations
- Classwork (25%) - phenomena organizers, unit summary tables, initial/final models,
- Homework (10%) -- ReadWork assignments, unit worksheets
POWERSCHOOL
PowerSchool is the system used to record student grades. You should check PowerSchool regularly to keep track of your child’s grades as grades will change often as assignments are input. Parents and students will soon receive their access to PowerSchool. You may download the app to receive real-time notifications of grade changes.
Parents: Email me ( jbriceferdinand@stamfordct.gov ) if you have any questions about your child’s grade.
Students: Speak to your teachers if you have any questions about your grade.
Units of Study
1. Land, Water and Human Interactions
2. Geological Processes
3. Earth Resources and Human Population
4. Weather and Climate
5. Solar System and Beyond
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
This is your 1 - 1.5 inch science binder for class. Most of what we do in class will be kept in this binder. It has to be organized in a specific way and kept up to date. Binders will be graded once a quarter.
Lab-Aids and the Science Textbooks
Our science units are designed by a company called Lab-Aids. Your textbooks for each unit can be found online at the Lab-Aids website (www.labaids.com). Each student will receive a username and password at a later date.
Username: TBD Password: TBD
Computers, Printing, and Integrity of Student Work
Though many assignments for this class will be hand-written, a few will be typed. Most typed assignments will be submitted through Google Classroom or shared on Google Drive. I will provide a code for Google Classroom at a later date.
Whether the classwork assigned is an individual or group assignment, the original work from all students must be evident
(you must submit your own work). Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Printing of assignments must be done before you come to class.
What if I’m absent?
Most of us will miss a day of school now and again. No matter the reason, it is your responsibility to check the website for work you have missed and to turn it in on the following day. Work not turned in the following day will not be accepted and will be scored a 0, except in the case of a reasonable excuse.
Worksheets given in class can be found in the “While You Were Out” folders.
Questions or Concerns?
Speak to me in class or send an email to:jbriceferdinand@stamfordct.gov. Please include your name in the subject line!