Compton-Drew ILC Middle School

6th GRADE SCIENCE

Course Description: Students investigate Forces, Motion, and Fields.  We will use HMH Science Dimensions and supplemental materials that support the NGSS Science Standards.

Methods of Instruction: A variety of methods will be incorporated into the instruction.  We will use scientific inquiry, class discussion, hands-on learning, note-taking, and cooperative learning.  Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary expansion, questioning, and developing innovative ideas.

Course Objectives: Objectives for all instruction will be in line with SLPS pacing guides, NGSS standards, state objectives, and will include the newest in scientific literacy practices.

Assignments:  Assignments will be placed on the board and covered in Power Point presentations.  Parents can check the Compton-Drew website by going to the faculty tab and select Margaret Presley.   Homework will not be assigned  every day.  In fact on most days, the homework will be to finish any work that the student did not finish in class.  When it is given, it will be sent home on Monday and will be due on Friday.  There will be ample time for students to actually complete it during school hours. 

All class work will be stated in a student-friendly language.  Questions that arise will be answered by the teacher.  Like scientists in the field, much of the student work will be done in their Science Notebook.  The notebook will contain guided notes, observations, and reflections.  Graded work will be placed in a student portfolio folder.  We will also use graphic illustrations in our effort to better understand and visualize scientific concepts.  Students will be given a rubric to help them as they create their illustrations.

Late Assignments Policy

Exams/Tests/ Quizzes: Tests and quizzes should be made up as soon as the student who has been absent has had sufficient time to catch up on work missed.  They should definitely be made up prior to grade reports coming out.

Course Requirements: It is the goal at Compton-Drew that all students achieve 80% or better in each of their classes.  In order to accomplish this, students should come prepared and ready to learn, be responsible for all their work, and behave respectfully.

Attendance Policy:  Students are expected to attend school every day.  During the “Do Now” which is done at the start of each class, attendance will be taken.  Anyone arriving late to school must sign in at the office.  They must be in their assigned seat or they will be marked tardy.

Homework Policy: Homework will be that students complete any work that was not completed during class.  If an excused absence has occurred, students can turn in that assignment after returning to school.  

Make Up Work Policy: Classwork should be submitted when it is completed.   During “Make Up Days” students will be able to complete work that is missing. 

Classroom Routines & Procedures

1. Entering the room – Wait politely outside the door and allow the previous class to leave.  When Mrs. Presley gives the okay Enter quietly and take your assigned seat; follow the appropriate procedures for each time of day (e.g., morning, after lunch, after any special class).
2. Lining up – Stand up quietly; push in your chair; take all necessary items; line up without touching others or talking; face the front of the line; watch where you are going.
3. Leaving the room – Always ask permission to leave the room.  Tell Mrs. Presley where you need to go.  She will issue you a hall pass.  Do not leave the room without a hall pass.  Do not run or play in the hallways or restrooms.
4. Beginning the day – Your first class is Advisory.  Bring any papers that need to be returned to school such as health, field trip, permission forms.  During Advisory, you will check that you have everything you need for you first three core classes. 
5. Ending the day – Clean off your desk; pick up any trash within three feet of your desk; place your chair on your desk carefully; wait quietly to hear your bus called: do not leave until Mrs. Presley gives the signal for 6^th graders to be dismissed after the office gives us the numbers of the busses that are ready to be boarded.
6. Taking out/putting away/caring for supplies – Share group supplies; recap markers and glue; check the number written on the supplies to make sure they belong in your group basket; if something belongs to another group, return it to them quietly.
7. Participating in group lessons – Do not bring anything with you unless Mrs. Presley has asked you to; politely find a place to sit where you can do your best learning; sit flat, not on your knees; listen carefully for new information; raise your hand to speak; do not speak when someone else is speaking.
8. Obtaining help with assignments – Quietly ask the students at your table for help with directions if you need it; if you are working alone, raise your hand to get help from Mrs. Presley; if you are working with a group, ask them for help in understanding how you do the assignment.
9. Handing in finished work/homework – Make sure you have the school wide-heading on every paper you do..  Mrs. Presley will give instructions as to how the work is to be collected.
10. What to do with unfinished work – If Mrs. Presley asks for work to be turned in, let her know if it isn't finished and follow any direction given about that work.  You should finish any assignment you did not complete during class for homework.
11. When and how to use the school restroom – Ask permission.   Get a hall pass from Mrs. Presley.  When you return (2-3 minutes), sign in and return the pass to Mrs. Presley.
12. When and how to use the pencil sharpener – There are two containers in the front of the room.  One has “sharpened pencils,” the other has “not sharp pencils.”  Exchange your pencil for one that is sharp.  If you do not have a pencil, get one from the front of the room.
13. Being a classroom helper; learning a classroom job – If Mrs. Presley asks you to help with an activity, do your best to carry out your duties quietly.
14. Getting into work groups – When we do lab activities we will work in groups.  You will each do your part to make the lab go smoothly.  Listen carefully to all directions and work together to achieve the best outcome.
15. Using the classroom library – When I am not teaching the whole group or during DEAR, you may read a book.  If you did not bring one, you may choose one from the ‘Reading Round.’  Take care of the book you borrow and return it to the round at the end of class.
16. Handling seatwork pages – As soon as you get a paper, put your first name and last name, your advisory, and the date at the top according to the school wide-heading directions you have received.
17. Preparing for lunch – When Mrs. Presley tells you it is time to get ready to go to lunch, clean your desk area.  Then stand and push your chair under.  Wait until you are dismissed to leave the room. Line up in a single file line, face forward, and remain quiet.  Mrs. Presley will lead you off the floor.
18. Getting a tissue – If you need a tissue, remember that they are not to be recycled.  Place the used tissue in the trash.
19. Attendance – Attendance will be taken at the start of every class.  If you arrive at school after attendance has been taken, be sure to sign in at the front desk in the office and get a pass. If you are tardy to class, get a pass from the teacher who held you over.
20.  Throwing away trash – You may throw away trash whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group; do not play basketball with your trash; make sure all trash lands in the can; pick up trash even if it isn't yours.
21. Turning in lost items – Ask the people around you if they lost the item you found; if not, write your name and the date on a slip of paper and tape the item to it; if it is money or something valuable, put the item and slip on my desk for safekeeping; if not, put it in the Lost and Found box; give yourself a "pat on the back" for being honest.
22. Locating lost items – Ask the people around you if they found the item you lost; if not, check the Lost and Found box; if it is not there, ask me at a time when I'm not teaching the class; if you find it, thank the person who turned it in; next time, try to take care of your things
23. Pledge – This is said every Monday morning at Compton-Drew..   Stand up; place your right hand over your heart; say the Pledge of Allegiance respectfully.  You will also be reciting the Compton-Drew pledge.
24. Visitors in the classroom – When visitors enter the room, get ready to listen to and look at the visitor — a smile is great.  If it appropriate say, "Welcome to our class, __________"; remember, most visitors are here to watch you learn, so be ready to explain what you are working on; treat visitors respectfully. NEVER exhibit disrespectful behavior when a visitor is present (or at any time.)
25. Fire drill – Stop everything; stand up and head for the door quickly, but without running or pushing; do not cover your ears; do not make any side trips; the first person in line holds the classroom door for the rest of the class; the second person in line holds the outside door only for our class, then becomes the last person in line; wait patiently, calmly, and quietly in line outside until we are allowed to go back to what we were doing.  Stay with your teacher and your class.                                           
26. Signals for attention – When I need your attention, I will signal you.  As soon as you hear the signal, stop what you are doing, look at me, and listen for directions.
27. Helping other students – In a cooperative classroom, it is good to help one another; if someone needs help with directions or reading an assignment, help him or her if you are able; if someone needs help with understanding the problem, tell him or her to ask me for help; never put down another student who asks for help.
28. Organizing desk – Only have materials you need on your desk.   Keep your work area neat and clean.

Written Assignments and Academic Misconduct: All written work submitted must be the student’s original work and conform to the guidelines provided by the teacher. Students are not to copy and paste information but they should use their own words to describe what they have found in their research of topics.