My hope is that each of you will have a successful year. Sixth grade science is the foundation that you build upon as you travel through middle school. My goal is to help students learn how to think like a scientist and participate in the scientific process. I am very lab based and think that the most memorable learning experiences are hands-on, both in the classroom and in the environment in which we live.
Our learning styles are different( some of us learn by moving while others us can learn watching a video) and by offering diverse learning opportunities, hopefully each student can find the spark that will generate a lifelong appreciation and quest for scientific understanding.”
As your science teacher I will be sharing with you my experiences working as a chemical engineer prior to teaching and my love of science. I strongly believe that each of you is capable of doing great things this year in science. I am here to help facilitate that journey with science and help you pack your bags for the future! So let’s find out about what you will need to have with you on this trip.
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Sixth Grade Science Curriculum
This year we will be covering a wide variety of interesting subjects that will help build a strong science foundation. The emphasis will be on creating an atmosphere where inquiry thinking and the scientific process are utilized. We will begin the year with “Becoming a Scientist” unit. This unit involves students conducting field and laboratory investigations using scientific methods, analyzing data, making informed decisions, and using tools such as beakers, test tubes, and spring scales to collect, analyze, and record information. Students also use computers and information technology tools to support scientific investigations. Just as Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes solve a mystery, we will be using problem solving skills to understand how the world works around us.
In our 2nd unit, we will “Blast Off Into Outer Space” and explore our amazing solar system. Students will identify components of the solar system including the Sun, planets, moon, and asteroids and learn how seasons and the length of the day are caused by the tilt and rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun . We will then zoom back to Earth as we get ready for our 3rd Unit which takes us on a “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
Our 4th unit will illustrate how all life is connected through the “Circle of Life”. Students will realize how we (humans, plants, animals, etc) are all connected through the awesome power of the SUN- fore it provides plants with energy to make their own food (photosynthesis) which then allow all other life to be sustained . We will finally wrap up the year with amazing demonstrations and experiments dealing with energy, light, and sound with our final unit of the year–”ENERGYzer: It Keeps Going and Going”. Let’s get ready for a fun-filled educational year!!
Major Concepts Covered This year we will cover many interesting topics in science, including the following areas: the lithosphere, energy flow through an ecosystem, the solar system, and energy transfer. To bring science to life for your child, inquiry-based investigations will be used extensively to help students develop critical thinking skills as they learn about science. One of many everlasting skills that science provides students is the ability to work in groups. Students will learn to work closely with others in cooperative learning groups, a skill that they will continue to develop throughout middle school. Another benefit of science is that it reinforces and strengthens students math and reading skills.My desire is that your child’s education be a collaborative effort between you, your child, and me. As we work together, any assistance you can give me in supporting your child’s science studies will be appreciated. If you see a magazine or newspaper article that deals with specific scientific matter, please send it in with your child. I will look it over, and if possible, incorporate it into a future lesson plan. Thanks for all your help!For a more detailed description of the skills and processes as well as concepts taught click on the following:
- The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design
- The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.
- The learner will investigate the cycling of matter. (sun – decomposer)
- The learner will build understanding of the Solar System
- The learner will conduct investigations and examine models and devices to build an understanding of the characteristics of energy transfer and/or transformation. ( light, heat, sound)
- The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics (Ecology)
Course Goals My teaching philosophy follows a constructivist philosophy which allows students to engage in experiential, hands-on learning. Investigations are carefully sequenced and connected to previous experience both in- and outside school to help students build their knowledge. Investigations are conducted in small groups that share data, ideas, and experiences. Group members interact in planning and executing investigations, discussing and validating hypotheses, and summarizing and drawing conclusions. They must identify the kind of problem, formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and report their findings for critical review by their peers. Class discussion following each investigation identifies and clarifies common conclusions. Through this process, students develop scientific researching skills, becoming producers rather than receivers of information. Using this model, it is my hope that that students will..
- Acquire, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas to effectively solve problems;
- Effectively utilize literacy skills: writing, listening, speaking, reading analysis, and reading interpretation;
- Display technological literacy;
- Be self-directed learners effectively using ideas and information from various disciplines;
- Analyze problems from a global perspective and contribute to society as responsible and skilled citizens;
- Work actively and cooperatively to achieve group goals;
- Display an understanding of scientific content and process as outlined in the national standards;
- Apply their scientific knowledge to real world situations and problems.
General Texts Used In our classroom, we will use many scientific resources (magazines, websites, trade books, etc) to learn our wonderful content. The science textbook that will be provided for your child is Prentice Hall Science Explorer North Carolina Grade 6. This will be handed out the first week of school. We have been lucky enough to be able to have a classroom set and an at-home set (yeah!!, I know it is heavy). Students will keep this book at home and use for reading, homework, studying, doing lab experiments, or just general “ooh” and “ahhs”. All students will use a class set of the texts in class.
If for some reason this book is lost (responsibility is the name of the game), the cost for replacement is $65.00(many hours of mowing lawns or doing chores). return to the top
Required Supplies These are supplies that are needed for Mrs. DuBose science classes. Some of these supplies are already on the Cedar Creek Middle School supply list, but some are not and will be needed in addition to the school required supplies. Science Classroom Supplies
- School Planner/AGENDA–REQUIRED!! (provided by school)
- 2- 1 Subject Notebooks (at least 100 pages).. One for each semester
- 1 ½ inch 3 ring binder (w/ 6 dividers)
- Zipper Pencil Holder (fits in notebook)
- Folder to hold loose leaf paper
- Several packets of loose leaf notebook paper
- Two pencils at all times (in case one breaks)
- Pencil sharpener (with shavings holder)
- Colored erasable pens
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- colored pencils, markers, or crayons
Optional, but recommended:
- Hole Reinforcers
Science Interactive Notebook
Science Interactive Notebooks are important for many reasons. The first is that writing is an integral part of the process of learning science. By using notebooks, students model one of the most vital and enduring functions of scientists in all disciplines – recording information, figures, and data. Scientists across the world record their observations, data, and conclusions, as well as comments on their research, readings and reflections. They rely on their notes, figures and diagrams when sharing their findings with colleagues and when preparing papers to share their work with the scientific community. The notebooks of famous scientists such as Galileo and Einstein have become part of the world’s cultural heritage.
A second reason for maintaining a Science Interactive Notebook is that it provides the student with a ready reference for each unit as well as a resource to consult when reviewing materials at the end of the unit. The notebook is also a means of communicating with the teacher and parents/guardians. At the end of each unit, on the parent interaction page, the student is required TEACH a mini lesson related to our unit of study, the parent then fills in the back section writing what they learned and signs their notebook. Keeping a notebook enhances students’ writing skills. It gives them practice in organizing material and in expressing themselves clearly. At the same time, notebook writing can encourage students to connect science with other areas of the curriculum. A Science Interactive Notebook also encourages creativity. Extensions in the notebook can include any of the following; poems; cartoon drawings; figure drawings; stories; songs; and notes from research on any given topic. Another advantage of the notebooks is that they get students more involved in science. Students assume ownership of their notebooks. Students are required to bring their notebooks with them to science class daily, to add work and review their notes. With each new entry, their sense of pride in what they have accomplished grows. Their confidence in science learning, as well as in their overall knowledge and skills, also grows. They are becoming life-long learners. Lastly, the science notebook offers the teacher a unique means of assessing student progress in the classroom. The notebook, beginning with the first lesson of the unit and continuing to its conclusion, is a tool that can be used to assess the growth in students’ understanding of science as well as in their ability to summarize and express their thoughts and feelings. So in actuality the notebook is a portfolio that students can share with their parents and for teachers to have a cumulative record of their learning What will I need?
- TWO MEAD 1 Subject Notebooks……………
- Scissors
- Small glue botter or glue sticks (need 2 per month)
- Many pencils
- Erasable Colored Pens
- Colored Pencils
- Highlighters
How does the notebook work Mrs. DuBose?
- Right Side “input” Pages: The right side is where common information is recorded that all students must know. This is where you will find information that will be on the test. The right side provides an opportunity for the teacher to model for students how to think graphically and how to organize information.
- Left Side “output” Pages: The left side is where students interpret right side information into graphics, other writing forms, new ideas, and questions. The left side stresses that just copying lecture notes s not learning. Students must internalize and re-express the information in another format on the left side.
Page Set-Up
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Left Page-Output Student Involvement (Showing Understanding and Creativity) The LEFT page demonstrates YOUR understanding of the information from the left side page. Clearly, just by writing down lecture notes does not mean you will have learned the information. You must actively do something with the information before you internalize it. Therefore, you will work with the concepts you LEARNED (on the RIGHT side), and REFLECT with the information in creative, unique, and individual ways (on the LEFT side). You can do this by using illustrations, diagrams, poetry, colors, cartoons, etc. You will also explore your opinions and clarify your values on controversial issues, wonder about “what if” hypothetical situations, and ask questions about new ideas. The LEFT side helps focus your attention and guides your learning of the science content and concepts.Always use color and organize information… It helps the brain learn! |
Right Page-Input Teacher Involvement (Given Information) The RIGHT spiral page is used for recording class notes, discussion notes, and reading notes. Typically, all “testable” information is found here. The RIGHT side is also an excellent place for the teacher to model how to think graphically by using illustrated outlines, flow charts, and other graphic organizers. |
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LEFT- SIDE EXAMPLES
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RIGHT -SIDE EXAMPLES
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The Process
- Remember ALL work pages ..
- are NUMBERED
- DATED
- are NEATLY SECURED (taped or glued)
- have a TITLE,
- LEFT SIDE has COLOR added highlight important information or to add visual appeal.
- Always take notes on the right hand pages. Left hand pages (or backs of pages) will be used for you to interact with and process the information you took notes on in the lesson.
- The best part of processing is it you to tap into their CREATIVE side. One of the most important part about the “output” (PLACED ON THE LEFT SIDE) is the use of COLOR which allows you to remember and make your own connections
- Keep a master Table of Contents with dates and grade earned.
- If you are absent, you must get the left &right-side input from your SCIENCE BUDDY, our class MASTER COPY, our classroom blog. up
- Use colored pens, gel pens, or colored pencils when doing the left side activities. Color helps the brain organize and remember information.
- Each day you will place the date and topic title (I’ll give this to you) in the toYou will enter the date and title into your table of contents.
- When an assignment is graded, you will record that grade into the proper place on your table of contents.
Why do we do it? Science Interactive notebooks will be used in this class daily to help you understand and remember important scientific concepts.
- Writing down notes does not mean that you have learned the information.
- You must actively do something with the information before you really understand it.
- You will organize as you learn. You will record ideas about every activity that you engage in during a unit.
- It gives you permission to be playful and creative in your responses without “messing up” your notes. When you are creative, you will remember more.
GRADING GUIDELINES
- Your interactive notebook will count as ONE major TEST per nine weeks.
- An important part of your notebook is its visual appearance. Your notebook should be neat & colorful!
- You may be allowed to use your notebook on some quizzes or tests (be sure to keep up with the information, I may not tell you when this will happen!
- Some assignments that are in the notebook will be a separate grade
- You are responsible for making up any missed information. You can get information from a the While You Were Out Corner, your SCIENCE buddy, Mrs. DuBose, or our classroom website. I will be keeping a notebook with you. Please come see Mrs. DuBose during HR, after school, or during down time in class
Assignments Middle school is a time for students to accept more responsibility for their own learning as well as develop habits and attitudes that will enable them to be successful in high school, college, and their future careers. For this reason we will be working throughout the school year to develop good work habits. The following guidelines will help students be successful in science class.
- Assignment Corner: Student assignments are given a due date and recorded on the assignment board in class. Students are expected to record the assignment and due date in their planner which is kept in the front of their binder.
- Paper Heading: Assignments should be completed to the best of your ability and ready to be checked-off or turned-in when you arrive to class. Please be sure the papers you hand in are neat, clearly written and stapled, if necessary. If I cannot read the assignment then I cannot grade it. Also, make sure that your name, date, block, and assignment name is written on all papers, if there is no name on the paper then no grade will be assigned. If an assignment that you turned in is not returned to you, let me know immediately in order to receive full credit and I will check the no name/no credit folder for your period.
- Deadlines:It is the students responsibility to budget their time in order to complete assignments and turn them in on time. Incomplete, or late work is not accepted! However, students will be given three extension coupons per term for use when family conflict or emergencies arise.
- Homework: Students will be given homework assignments throughout the year. Please expect to have HW as much as 3 times a week.. (Homework should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete). It will either be graded by me or minor self checked assignments. Homework will consist of you making sense of the day’s lesson by completing the LEFT SIDE of your science notebook in a CREATIVE fashion (see Science Interactive Notebook Guidelines). Graded homework is due at the beginning of the block. Homework will sometimes be graded by me used stamps or the check system or self checked by the student.
- Absences: Students are expected to make up all assignments given while they are absent! It is the student’s responsibility to get their missed homework. Students have many opportunities to get their missed homework:
- While You Were Out Corner..a form that details what information you missed. One of your lab group partners will fill this form out for you. It is expected that you fill this form out for them as well if they are absent. Once you are to return you are to get your missing work from your SCIENCE BUDDY. This means getting the RIGHT SIDE of the INB that you missed. This does NOT mean copying their LEFT HAND side. You should be CREATIVE in your own way. COPYING ANOTHER’S HW IS CHEATING AND WILL GET YOU A SWIFT ZERO AND PARENT PHONE CALL.
- You can also check out our classroom blog in the Science Interactive Notebook
- Lastly, Mrs. DuBose has a master copy of the INB (yep, I have my own). You can check this during HR (8:00-8:20), during free time in class, or you can check it after school if you have cleared it with Mrs. DuBose and have arranged for your parent to pick you up
- In the case of unusually long absences I will make arrangements with individual students as needed.
- Having all assignments complete and in on time does pay off in sixth grade. If a student has turned in every assignment in each class that we teach (including makeup work), we will drop the lowest grade each subject we teach before averaging the grades at the end of the nine weeks. This, in addition to the awarding —————-for the following nine weeks, is our way of showing that hard work does indeed pay off in
School Planner The planner is used for keeping track of assignments and other tasks. Students are issued a planner in their HR class the first few day of school (they are pretty cool). Anytime a science assignment is on the board, it needs to be written in the “science” section of your planner (there are spots for your other classes too). There’s no way a sixth grade student will remember at 2:35pm what the assignment was, unless it is in that planner. Using a planner will help students become more organized as they use it to remember what homework they have in each class, project due dates, etc.Planners are also your PASS around school. Therefore you have to have a planner to go ANYWHERE (unless you get an official pass from the office) . If lost or stolen (yep, this happens so always write your name in yours), a new one cost $5.00 (mowing one lawn should cover it). return to the top
Progress Report Schedule Students will be evaluated by a variety of assessment tools which include lab work, quizzes, interacitve notebooks, projects, formative assessments. There will be a lot of hands on assignments. Extra credit will be offered depending on the topic and its merit of worth (various contests and competitions during the year). Students’ progress will be monitored and parents updated with reports. NEW SCHOOL WIDE PROGRESS REPORT/REPORT CARD POLICY
- Parents must come to school and pick up the 1st and 3rd report card*. Hours for report card pick-up are 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- Teachers will be available to talk with you immediately about your child’s grades and report card on Parent Pick Up Nights (Nov 4 & Apr 7).
- All progress reports & report cards must be signed and returned to the homeroom teacher the following day. ·
- Adjustments will be made as necessary for missed school days due to weather or other missed school days.
| 2007-2008 Progress Report and Report Card Schedule | |
| September 16, 2008 | 1st 9 weeks Progress Report 1 |
| October 7, 2008 | 1st 9 weeks Progress Report 2 |
| November 4, 2008 | *1st 9 weeks Report Card |
| November 20, 2008 | 2nd 9 weeks Progress Report 1 |
| December 15, 2008 | 2nd 9 weeks Progress Report 2 |
| January 29, 2009 | 2nd 9 weeks Report Card |
| February 12, 2009 | 3rd 9 weeks Progress Report 1 |
| March 9, 2009 | 3rd 9 weeks Progress Report 2 |
| April 7, 2009 | *3rd 9 weeks Report Card |
| April 28, 2009 | 4th 9 weeks Progress Report 1 |
| May 19, 2009 | 4th 9 weeks Progress Report 2 |
| June 9, 2008 | 4th 9 weeks Report Card |
GRADE POLICY & CHECK SYSTEM
- Check plus plus = 100% work is well above expectations
- Check = 85% work complete, average quality
- Check minus = 70% work acceptable but poorly done
- Check minus minus = 60% unacceptable/incomplete/lacks effort
- REDO = 0% second chance after meeting with me
Grading Scale
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ACADEMIC HONESTY Cheating: We all know what it is (copying, letting someone copy your work, plagiarism), DON’T DO IT-it’s not worth it- you will receive a ZERO! return to the top
Homework Policy Homework is given up to THREE times a week and acts to reinforce concepts that have been presented in class. Homework is copied into your planners at the start of classHomework will consist of you making sense of the day’s lesson by completing the LEFT SIDE of your science notebook in a CREATIVE fashion (see Science Interactive Notebook Guidelines). Homework will sometimes be graded by me or self checked by the student. Homework is given on an as-needed-base to follow up and reinforce concepts that have been presented in class. Most of the time students will get done in class. . Assignments will also be posted on class website site. return to the top
Absence Policy Students have two days per day absent to complete and turn in all make up work (Example if Lisa is absent on Tuesday then her work is due on Friday. That is the district policy. Progress reports go out every 3 weeks and we have found that waiting until the last minute creates to much stress for the students and creates a back log of work for teachers. We have found that if students are responsible and get their classwork and homework upon their return they are a more successful student and much happier!! Make-up work is to be placed in the correct class period tray and marked with the words “MAKE-UP” work and dates absent. All assignments are written on the monthly calendar in the room. It is the student’s responsibility to write down the assignment, check the WHILE YOU were out corner, and get all make-up work from the “EXTRAS” BIN located under the back table. (Mrs. DuBose sees over 100 children a day. If I tried to see about EVERYONE, I would go CRAZY. Therefore part of growing up is learning RESPONSIBILITY. ) Copies of daily handouts & assignments are placed in the EXTRAS bin . It is the students responsibility to copy any missed notes from a classmate (science buddy), check online, or stay after school If a student is absent the day a major project or presentation is due, students must turn in the project or present immediately upon returning. If there is going to be a prolonged absence due to family trip, please let Mrs. DuBose know in advance so we can get work together for them. return to the top
Late Work Policy Our job as parents and teachers is to make sure our children are learning responsibility!! My philosophy on late work can be compared to not paying a utility bill or taxes on time. If adults have the electricity shut off for not paying a bill, it doesn’t mean that they will NEVER get electricity back, but that they will have to pay a penalty and be inconvenienced until the power is turned back on. Even if a person does not pay taxes on time, the responsibility does not go away. The taxes (homework/assignment) still must be taken care of, and you get some credit for it when it is. Therefore my late work policy is as follows Homework, minor self checked assignments, will be stamped “on time” only at the beginning of the period. Unfinished homework is not accepted. (If you are turning it in late, it needs to be COMPLETE!!)
- To be regarded on time, work must be completed by the beginning of the block on the day it is due.
- Mrs. DuBose understands that unexpected circumstances occur. Therefore she will allow students will receive 3 OOP PASSERS per NINE WEEKS which allows students to turn in a HW assignment up to ONE WEEK late with NO penalty. However this does require an explanation and parent approval (Mrs. DuBose will call and double check). This past must be turned in when Mrs. DuBose is coming around to check HW.
- After THREE OOPS PASSES passes have been used, any homework not turned in the day it is due (by the time I check it in your block) is considered late and will be penalized 1 LETTER GRADE PER DAY LATE. Late work should be turned in your block’s basket and clearly labeled “LATE + “HOW MANY DAYS YOU ARE LATE”. (example Late +1). Mrs. DuBose knows work that is handed in on time because it is STAMPED on the date it was due (I like wacky stamp!!). After four days, assignements will automatically receive a 50 if turned in.
- If you are absent from the assignment, you have as many days as you were absent to makeup the assignment (see absence policy)
- Long term assignments (assignments made at least two weeks in advance) are due the day of your return from an absence. If you are in school (field trip, etc) but excused from this class, you must turn in long range assignments immediately when you get off the bus or car drop off. return to the top
School-Wide Tardy Policy “To be early is on-time, to be on-time is late, and to be late is simply unacceptable”. My scientists are expected to be in your seat when the bell rings. If you are not in your seat, you are tardy. Responsibility is the name of the game.TARDY POLICY (restarts every 9 weeks):
- 1st Tardy-Verbal Warning
- 2nd Tardy-Parent Contact
- 3rd Tardy-After School Detention (3:15-3:45 pm)
Tardies are logged and consequences are rendered on a quarterly basis. Tardies will affect students ability to be in certain team rewards. return to the top
Discipline Policy
- 1st offense: Verbal Warning or the LOOK
- 2nd offense: Parent Contact ( green stripe in planner)
- 3rd offense: Student sent to another class
- 4th offense: Lunch Detention w/Parent Contact
- 5th offense: Morning or Afternoon Detention
- 6th offense: Team Discussion w/parent
*Some severe discipline issues will result in an immediate Office Referral and Call Home.
- Willfully harming someone else
- Willfully destroying property
- Overtly refusing to do what is asked
- Disrupting the learning atmosphere in class
**ANY misbehavior for a substitute teacher will result in an automatic After School Detention
Every once in a while you may come to school and find a substitute teacher in class (Mrs. DuBose has a baby so she might get sick). I expect you to treat the substitute teacher with respect, listen to and follow instructions. Any student mentioned on the substitute teacher’s class report will have a note sent home, will serve detention and, will be asked to write an apology to the substitute teacher. A substitute’s job is very difficult: let’s not make it any tougher! return to the top
Extra Credit Policy Mrs. DuBose does give extra credit in the form of (making models, videos, webquest, experiments, etc). The catch is, a student who wants bonus work must have turned in all assignments. Meaning you can’t have ANY zeros!! This reasoning is simple: My statement to students who ask for late work who have missing assignments is, “I created assignments for you to do, and I made time to grade them for you. You did not want to do those assignments for some reason. Now, I am not making extra work for you and for me, just because YOU now want to do some work. Therefore, if you have not made up your work and have not been responsible extra credit is not for you. Extra credit is an extension and should be enjoyed by student who did it. Extra Credit assignments will be placed in the extra credit tray in the classroom and on this website once per six weeks. It is the students responsibility to retrieve and complete any extra credit they wish to do. All extra credit assignments will take some time to complete, as they are usually counted as 1 1/2 CW grades. Students are encouraged to begin extra credit work early–waiting until the last day is NOT a good idea. Students are also encouraged to ask Mrs. DuBose. All extra credit work will be posted to this webpage as well so students/parents may retrieve it here as well. Students will usually have 4 weeks to complete the nine week’s extra credit work. return to the top
Safety in the Science Classroom Misbehavior in a Lab or Class
- Consistent misbehavior or unsafe actions in a lab can result in a loss of lab privileges.
- Should you no longer be able to participate in a lab, you are expected to complete a writing assignment related to the lab.
- Lab privileges will be reinstated once you are able to prove you can work safely and cooperatively in a lab.
Be safe. Early in the year, students will be instructed in safe laboratory practice. Parents will be asked to discuss safety concerns with their students and return the Safety Contract with their signature. Students must score a 70% or better to be allowed to perform laboratory investigation. Students will be removed from the lab if horseplay, dangerous behavior, or failure to follow safe procedures is observed. A parent conference will be scheduled for behavior that is not respectful of others before permission to return to lab activities is granted. return to the top
Classroom Expectations (simply the Bill of Rights)The classroom Bill of Rights is simple. “The teacher has the right to teach and students have the right to learn. Everyone will respect these rights.” Simply put, any actions that interfere with teaching and learning are unacceptable.Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct as well as these classroom expectations:
- BE PUNCTUAL. Have materials out, have pencils sharpened, and be seated before the tardy bell rings. If there is an assignment on the board or overhead, begin before being told to do so.
- BE PREPARED. Bring all materials to class for each day. If you need to borrow a pen or paper, do so before class begins.
- BE RESPECTFUL. The “Golden Rule is my motto: do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Follow all class and school rules. Do not talk while I am teaching or giving instructions. If you have something to share, wait until you are acknowledged and then share. When doing class work, work quietly and mindful of others. Take care of classroom materials.
- BE RESPONSIBLE. Do all your class work and turn it in on time. If you are absent, be sure to check with with a science buddy or the assignment board and learn what you missed and complete any assignments by the timeline given.
- BE ORGANIZED. Know where your materials are. Know what you need to do. Present your work legible and neatly.
- BE AN ACHIEVER. Do your best in everything. Try your hardest. Aim for success. Get involved and ask questions
In order for our classroom expectations to be met, there must exist a partnership between parents, myself, and students (I call it the e-Triangle). For a child to be successful, I as a teacher must do my part to make sure that they are provided a safe and engaging learning environment, the student must do their part to be responsible for their learning and actions, and parents must do their part to ensure that their child is being responsible. Only if all parties are doing their part can children be SUCCESSFUL (which is our ultimate goal) Teacher Expectations
- I will always teach in the best way we know how and do whatever it takes for our students to learn.
- I will always make myself available to students and parents, and address any concerns they might have (emails, blogs, phone calls).
- I will always protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom.
Student Expectations
- I will always work, think, and behave in the best way I know how, and I will do whatever it takes for me and my fellow students to learn. This also means that I will complete all my homework when assigned, I will call, email, or blog Mrs. DuBose if I have a problem with the homework , and I will raise my hand and ask questions in class if I do not understand something.
- I will always behave so as to protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom. This also means that I will always listen to all my CCMS teammates and give everyone my respect.
- I am responsible for my own behavior, and I will follow the teachers’ directions. If I make a mistake, this means I will tell the truth to my teachers and accept responsibility for my actions
Parent Expectations
- We will always help our child in the best way we know how and we will do whatever it takes for him/her to learn. This also means that we will check our child’s homework every night,
- We will always make ourselves available to our children and the school, and address any concerns they might have.
Classroom Rewards and Consequences Rewards
- Smiles
- Praise
- PBS Tickets
- Whole-class free time
- Treats during class
- Positive notes
- Positive e-mails/Calls home
- Bonus points
- “Raise a Grade” certificates
- Various other positive perks
- The joy of learning
Consequences
- 1st offense: Verbal Warning or the LOOK
- 2nd offense: Parent Contact=green stripe (parent-student conference outside)
- 3rd offense: Sent to another class and loss of lab priviledges
- 4th offense: Lunch Detention (pink stripe)
- 5th offense: Morning or Afternoon Detention
- 6th offense: Team Discussion w/parent return to the top
Classroom Procedures
- Stand outside of Mrs. DuBose’s door in a QUIET, straight line
- When entering the classroom- Enter quietly and be seated immediately.
- As soon as you are seated, copy down HOMEWORK , then do SCIENCE warm up, if there is homework then take out homework that is due today.
- NEVER lean back in your chair. Sit upright with both of your feet on the floor.
- When you need help- Raise your hand and Mrs. DuBose will come to you. If I am helping someone, please be patient.
- When handing in papers- If it is a graded homework assignment, pass papers to the person closest to the CENTER aisle, this person will then place on the edge of table and they will be collected by Mrs. DuBose or my helper. If you are turning in your classwork, place your assignment into the appropriate basket (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th block) located on the table in the back of the class (Paper Corner)
- If you get done with your classwork early, you should utilize your time wisely by 1) starting on left side of INB 2) reading a D.E.A.R book or science article from class library 3)
- When working in partners/ groups- Everyone faces the group’s center, uses quiet voices, talk only to your group, and stays on task! Make sure you are using the correct Yada Voice
- When papers are returned to you- Immediately record the page number and grade into your interactive notebook and place them into your science notebook in the correct spot! (If there is no time to glue, place the paper in your inside pocket of your folder. You have the page number so you can glue at home
- At the end of class- Return all supplies to the container on your lab table. NEVER remove the container or its contents from the table (the group is responsible for double checking before leaving. If the next class groups finds that something is missing I will come looking for you and your group…and you will be held ACCOUNTABLE! This is OUR classroom and as such it should be left clean. Everyone is responsibile for picking up trash on the floor.
- At the end of class- Mrs. DuBose will dismiss you, NOT THE CLOCK. When the teacher dismisses you, stand, push your chair in, and quietly exit the classroom and have a GREAT DAY. Mrs. DuBose will be saying HAVE A GREAT REST of the DAy
Science Warm Ups Every day you will have a DO NOW called “Science Warm Ups “. This is a means to jog our “sleepy” brains to activate knowledge that is stored in our brains. Once you take your seat and have copied your homework, you are to immediately begin working on the Science Trivia Question (this should take no longer than 5 minutes. Mrs. DuBose has a TIMER and uses it. Our time is to valuable to waste!!) . You are to write down the ENTIRE QUESTION in your notebook AND ANSWER IT. It is your job to correct your answer if you got it wrong. (SCIENCE WARM-UPS are a great study tool for quizzes/tests)I expect everyone to use “their” own knowledge and not that of their neighbors. return to the top
Current Events
As budding scientists, it is important to stay up to date on SCIENCE happening in our daily lives. Therefore, Mrs. DuBose has created an inventive way for you to do this. You will be required to do a science article twice per NINE WEEKS. Check for due dates on the class calendar . Each assignment is a quiz grade. You may do an ONE EXTRA assignment in a 9 weeks to replace a quiz grade. How do I complete my science current events assignment? Its simple…
- Attach the original article or a photocopy/print out of the article.
- Check the class website links for online newspapers and magazines (See below)
- On an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper using either BLUE ink or typed in black ink, use the following format:
Name ___________________________ Block ______ Date______
Title of Article
Author (Associated Press if not shown)
Source (Name of newspaper or magazine)
Date of Article
Body: Answer these 5 questions using COMPLETE sentences:
- Who is this article about?
- What happened in this article?
- Where did the events in the article take place?
- When did the events in this article occur?
- Why did the events happen?
New Vocabulary Words:
You may use the online dictionary: http://www.dictionary.com/
Choose 3 words from the article that are new to you. Write the word, part of speech, syllabication, and then the definition of the word as it is used in the article.
For example:
newspaper – (noun) – news * pa * per – A publication usually issued daily or weekly containing current news, editorials, feature articles, and usually advertising.
Opinion: At least 3-5 sentences on why you chose this article, did you agree or disagree with the content, did you learn anything new or interesting, how will this new information be helpful to you or those around you, etc…
For help writing your rough draft go here: Current Event Practice Sheet
| Kid Friendly Websites to help you find your Science Current Events | |
| Science Daily Magazine | Popular Science |
| Scientific American | Discover Channel News |
| Odyssey-Adventures in Science | The Why Files |
| OWL-Young Naturalist Foundation | Science New For Kids |
| Science Weekly | Eureka Alert! (you can actually contact the scientist) |
| Yes Mag: Canada’s Science Magazine for Kids | First Science |
| National Geographic News Articles | Time for Kids |
| NASA News for Kids | LiveScience |
| Ocean Realm | BBC News Science & Nature |
Email me! 
June 20th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Mrs. Dubose,
Your website is great. I’m a science teacher in Tampa, FL. I attended a workshop last term and the presenter listed you site as one to reference for interactive notebooks. Several ?s, why did you choose to use a folder, rather than a spiral notebook? Do you use one folder each quarter? How much inclass time do you devote to upkeep of the notebook?
I have tried the IN several times, but I think I dropped the ball each time. So the end result was some students kept very good notebooks and others were a mess.