Summit Trail Middle School

Mrs. Terra Solkey
6th Grade Science Teacher and PLTW Green Architecture and Energy and Environment
 NBCT (Science)  OSPI FELLOW

Voice Mail: 425-413-3290 (x9206), Email: [email protected]

All classwork, assessments, student information and rubrics will be in Google Classroom. I update Google Classroom weekly. The grades are given in Skyward NOT Google Classroom.  When looking for your students grades the grade listed in Skyward for the assignment is the correct grade. Please Review My Syllabus below:

Course Title:     SCIENCE 6a                                                                Grade Level:              6

Teacher Name: Terra Solkey                                                             Contact Information:

                                                                                                                        [email protected] 

Course Overview

Course Description:

The 6^th grade science curriculum adopted by the Tahoma School District in 2020 is entitled Educurious. It is a project-based curriculum that gives students an opportunity to take charge of their learning, build communication skills, problem solve, and be creative! Some of the topics covered in the 6^th grade Educurious Curriculum are as follows:

• The Ring of Fire:
  • History of Earth
  • Earth’s materials and systems
  • Plate Tectonics and large-scale interactions
  • Natural Hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis)
• Storm Solvers:
  • Weather and Climate
  • Structures and properties of matter
  • Energy
  • Roles of water in Earth’s surface processes
• Mysteries in Space:
  • Earth, Sun, Moon systems
  • Lunar phases
  • Eclipses of sun and moon
  • Seasons
  • Role of gravity in our solar system
  • Scale of properties and objects in our solar system
• Climate Engineers

• Engineering/Design Protocol
• Climate Change Causes
• Current technology and data

Essential Understandings/Critical Content:

The Educurious curriculum focuses on project-based learning using Science and Engineering Practices that follow along with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in each lesson and throughout each module. The Science and Engineering Practices focused on are:

1.  Asking Questions (for science) and Defining Problems (for engineering)

2. Developing and Using Models

3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data

5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

6. Constructing Explanations (for science) and Designing Solutions (for engineering)

7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence

8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Major Assignments/Projects/Assessments:

Each unit will have an “end of the unit” project-based assessment. There will be numerous formative assessments (for smaller point value) . All of These assessments are worked on throughout each unit and module. These assessments are common amongst the 6^th grade team at Summit Trail. I use a standard referenced grading system BAME with percentages. EVERY STUDENT who gets a “below meeting standard” on an assessment MAY RETAKE those ASSESSMENTS to achieve a higher score. Only the higher score is given not averaged. NOTE: Students will NOT be allowed to retake a project score.

Textbooks/Supplemental Materials/Teaching Resources:

There is no textbook. Students will be accessing all materials through Google Classroom.

Special Supplies Required:

All students must have their planner, a single subject spiral notebook (FOR SCIENCE ONLY), and a writing utensil.

Grading Policy

How to check student progress:

• PLEASE BE AWARE OF HOW TO SING INTO YOUR STUDENTS (FAMILY) account on SKYWARD. You can check your student’s progress by accessing Skyward. While on Skyward you will be able to see your student’s grades as well as any missing assignments.

   

   

• Guidelines for making up work: Strong attendance is essential, especially in science. Much of the work done involves labs, class discussions, and teamwork. However, if a student is absent they are responsible for collecting any assignments they missed by first going to Google Classroom and accessing missing work. Then coming to teacher for clarification on missing work. They are also responsible for getting their assignments turned in in a timely manner.

  Homework:

• Homework is rarely given in Science (I want to see their work and be able to assist them in their classwork) however, if the work is not finished in class it may be assigned as homework.

   

   

  Additional Information Specific to this Course: All information for this class and assignments can be found on Google Classroom. Your student can also access all absent work and lessons on Google Classroom.

   

  Behavior Expectations and Consequences:

   In this class we LEARN. Students are expected to:

  L: Listen to instructions

• No talking while others/teachers are talking

  E: Enter the classroom PREPARED

• You bring required materials to class EVERYDAY!

  A: Always try their best

• Work hard!!

  R: Respect themselves and others

• Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking
• Disrespectful phrases are NOT ALLOWED in this classroom
• Honor personal space and materials

  N: NO EXCUSES!

   

   

  Students that enter this classroom are expected to work hard, and offer up their best every day. They will learn that this space is to be respected as a place where we value diversity of thought where all students can grow and learn. Each student will know that everyone is important and we all have value.

   

  Classroom Consequences: At STMS, we believe in a multi-step problem solving process. As part of this process our goal for ALL STMS students is to be focused on learning within their classroom community. The problem solving process goes as follows:

  1. First Offense: Engage and Encourage: Teacher will engage in conversation with the student.
  2. Second Offense: Reteach: Teacher will reteach the expectation with the student.
  3. Third Offense: Record and Include Family: Teacher will record the incident and share with student and family member, via email or phone call.
  4. Fourth Offense: Problem solve with Dean: Incident will be problem solved with the Dean of Students.

  Note: If a student is creating an unsafe environment in the classroom or causing a major disruption that is affecting the learning environment, they will be immediately removed by a member of administration.

   

  Behaviors that warrant a consequence:

• Disrespectful behaviors (words, actions, gestures, bullying, etc…)
• Off task behavior
• Not coming to class prepared
• Talking out

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to ask! I can be reached by email at [email protected]. Google classroom is a GREAT place to check for daily assignments, homework, hand-outs, and announcements.  It is my hope that your child will grow as a scientist and love science as much as I do! I am looking forward to a great year of learning J