Welcome to Mrs. Ferrari’s Classroom 6th Grade Science GVMS Back To School Night 2014 - 2015

Education/Background B.S., Virginia Tech M.S. Industrial Administration, Carnegie-Mellon Education Certifications: Teaching K – 8, Special Education K - 12, and Principal/Supervisor, Immaculata University 4th and 6th Grade Teacher, 8 years K - 12 Science Supervisor/TOSA, 7 years

Contact Information Phone number: 610.579.5120 Email: ferrark@garnetvalleyschools.com Best times to reach me: 7:00-7:30 am (by phone) 12:30-3:00 pm (by phone) Email (anytime)

Web Page www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/ferrark My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will post additional resources to help your students with different concepts we will cover. Current Resources: Science Course Overview Discipline Plan Homework Policy Science Websites for 6th Graders This power point presentation is currently posted on my web page for future reference

Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) 2 inch binder with subject dividers and a section devoted to science (OR) 1 inch binder for science only (no dividers necessary) Pencils with erasers Sheet protectors - 10 Paper reinforcements – optional

Grading System Point system Assignments weighted by points possible Student’s final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

Homework Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall Late homework will receive half credit during 1st two marking periods if handed in one day late

Homework Tips We take time at the beginning of each class to record homework assignments and reminders of upcoming project due dates or assessments Students and parents can also verify HW and project due dates, as well as upcoming assessment dates, on Power School

Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, to clarify assignments, and to provide study help for quizzes/tests to students after school until 3:00.

Students can earn points for the following assignments: Science Grades Students can earn points for the following assignments: Homework Classwork Quizzes Tests Lab Investigations Notebook Checks Projects Extra Credit

Science Overview Science classes in 6th grade are not leveled Our curriculum is inquiry-based We use investigations from an STC kit, our science textbook series, and national science curricula Textbooks and other reading materials support investigations We begin with mini-units on lab safety, the nature of science, and matter

2 Major Units of Study Catastrophic Events Tornadoes Hurricanes Thunderstorms Earthquakes Volcanoes

2 Major Units of Study Earth in Space Sun-Earth-Moon system Seasons Moon phases Eclipses Tides Planets

Other Topics of Study Lab Safety The Scientific Method Matter

Science Textbooks Pearson: Earth’s Structure Pearson: Astronomy and Space Science NSRC Smithsonian Institution: STC Understanding Weather and Climate

Student Textbooks Students will have access to online versions of each of the 3 textbooks used Each student will receive his/her own copy of the two Pearson textbooks. These texts are owned by each student The cost of a new book is around $30. Ordering information can be found on my website.

Thank You! Thank you for coming tonight. I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.

Welcome to Mrs. Ferrari’s Classroom 6th Grade Social Studies GVMS Back To School Night 2014 - 2015

Web Page www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/ferrark My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will post additional resources to help your students with different concepts we will cover. Current Resources: Social Studies Course Overview Discipline Plan Homework Policy This power point presentation is currently posted on my web page for future reference

Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) 2 inch binder with section devoted to Social Studies (OR) 1 inch binder just for Social Studies Pencils with erasers

Grading System Point system Assignments weighted by points possible Student’s final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

Social Studies Two Areas of Focus: Geography Ancient Civilizations

Geography Topics Geographic Tools Physical Characteristics of Place Human Characteristics of Place

Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia Egypt Greece Rome Civilizations of the Americas – The Aztec, The Maya, The Incas

Social Studies Textbooks Pearson Prentice Hall: World Studies: Foundations of Geography Pearson: My World History: Early Ages Online version of My World History is available to students

Social Studies Grades Students can earn points for the following assignments: Classwork Homework Quizzes Tests Projects Extra Credit

Thank You! Thank you for coming tonight. I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.