6th Grade Earth and Environmental Science Ms. Torres

Classroom Expectations Syllabus

Communication Wikispaces.com School website Powerschool Remind Email

Science 1st Period Science 3rd Period

Notebook / BINDER Classwork / Homework for Q1 and Q2 will be in the ntbk Evaluations / Assessments / Self Reflections – last section *3 prong folder for project documents (Q1 and Q2) ^ a portfolio of learning – should contain evidence of research, topic exploration, and end products ^ handwritten notes ^ organized, chronological order

Nuts and Bolts of the Curriculum Guest Speakers from local “environmental groups” (If you have an idea for a guest speaker / virtual field trip please send me an email.) In charge of school Recycling (If you are interested in helping improve this effort let me know.) “Flip” Classroom, group projects, collaborative learning, complex learning tasks Earth and Environmental Science hydrosphere: Water distribution on earth and water availability; Water quality, standards, Methods of water treatment, the structure of the earth, earth history, Earth and the Universe environmental conservation / issues / stewardship various methods of obtaining, managing, and using energy resources

Why PBL: Students use higher-order thinking skills Learn to work as a team and contribute to a group effort Listen to others and make their own ideas clear when speaking Be able to read a variety of material Write or otherwise express themselves in various modes, and make effective presentations PBL increases students’ educational engagement by allowing them to make their own choices and take responsibility when doing so It lets students gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and standards at the heart of a project Rigorous projects help students build vital workplace skills and lifelong habits of learning Apprentice Scholars (6th, 7th, and 8th Grades) The focusing concept for this program is the cognitive apprenticeship. Students learn information, skills, and dispositions used by experts through work in an advanced body of knowledge, authentic research skills, analytic/critical reasoning, communication, and social responsibility. The ideas, problems, and explorations Apprentice Scholars encounter in their studies will be representative of the work of professionals.  Video: http://viewpure.com/LMCZvGesRz8

KEY POINTS TO PONDER Grading means more to students if it’s infrequent. Continual grading of everything impairs students’ willingness to learn from mistakes, makes them teacher dependent, and teaches them to learn for grades, not for its own value. (Tomlinson) This year I am more of a facilitator in developing your child’s potential. I can’t promise that it will be easy. My goal is not to punish your child or to cause failure. I will be more effective if I can help your child rise to a challenge, go beyond the comfort zone, and find satisfaction in the effort. But I also need your support in this mission.

Science Fair Make sure to consistently view calendar, monitor child’s progress, sign when an item is complete TIME TO GATHER MATERIALS – prepare for the experimental phase

October 23- 25th of 2017 Field Trips

http://www.ck12.org/student/ DIVERSITY of Sources * A goal this year is for students to use diverse sources with few reminders, think creatively and independently

http://www.nclive.org http://www.cmlibrary.org https://www.cmlibrary.org/resource/tutorcom-live-homework-help

Diversify how to demonstrate learning / present Examples: Info-graphics POPPLET THINGLINK

Quick Homeroom Reminders Come to school with enough time to unpack and prepare (set the tone) for the day Quiet reading book is helpful 10 unexcused tardies equates to 1 absence

Sunday Book Review http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/books/review/the-gift-of-failure-by-jessica-lahey.html?_r=0 http://www.jessicalahey.com/the-gift-of-failure/

Middle School Transitional Grading System 6th, 7th and 8th grades only

Components of New Grading System Students will now receive a numeric percentage grade for academic performance Homework will be part of this academic performance grade and not assessed as a separate area. Weighting of tests, assignments, homework and projects will be at the discretion of each teacher Grading scale: 90% - 100% Letter Grade A 80% - 89% Letter Grade B 70% -79% Letter Grade C Below 70% No credit awarded for high school classes Teachers will provide opportunities for students to improve any graded work that is assessed below 80% through additional assessments, projects, or assignments.

Progress Reports and Report Cards Students will receive a percentage grade for academic performance. In addition, students will continue to receive a 1, 2, 3 or 4 in the areas of effort and behavior. Comments about the individual student will continue to be provided on report cards.