Latin College Preparatory Charter School
2626 Hogan Road
Atlanta, GA 30344
School Phone: 404-669-8060
School Fax: 404-393-1491

Mr. Christian Harden, Principal

2017-2018

6th Grade Earth Science

Instructor:

Mr. M. Harrison	mharrison@latincollegeprep.org

Course Description:

Students explore earth science by participating in a variety of activities that require them to explore and utilize the habits of mind and the nature of science. The units of study include: the characteristics of science, earth’s materials, earth’s structures and formation of our solar system, evolution of the universe, hydrology, oceanography, meteorology, energy and initialization and conservation.

Georgia Performance Standards for Science – Grade 6

Unit 1: Characteristics of Science

S6CS1. Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.

S6CS2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.

S6CS3. Students will use computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.

S6CS4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities.

S6CS6. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.

S6CS7. Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.

S6CS8. Students will investigate the characteristics of scientific knowledge and how it is achieved.

S6CS9. Students will investigate the features of the process of scientific inquiry.

Unit 2: Geology

S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is formed.

Unit 3: Meteorology and Hydrology

S6CS5. Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.

S6E3. Students will recognize the significant role of water in earth processes.

S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.

Unit 4: Astronomy

S6E1. Students will explore current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.

S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the earth, moon and sun.

Unit 5: Energy Conservation

S6E6. Students will describe various sources of energy and with their uses and conservation.

Course Outline/Timeline:

TOPIC	PACING

First Semester

Characteristics of Science (Unit 0)	2Weeks

Geology (Unit 1)	10 Weeks

Hydrology (Unit 2)	5 Weeks

Second Semester

Meteorology (Unit 3)	7 Weeks

Astronomy (Unit 4)	7 Weeks

Energy & Conservation (Unit 5)	3 Weeks

Grading Scheme: This class will adhere to Fulton County Grading Policy that consists of the following grading scale:

A	90 and above

B	80 - 89

C	70 - 79

F	Below 70*

*by state rule any grade below 70 is failing.

The final grade* in this class will be determined using the following formula/criteria:

Classroom/Daily 15%

Quizzes/Weekly Assessments 35%

Homework 10%

Summative Assessments 40%

Students are expected to adhere to the rules and policies of Latin College Preparatory Charter School and Fulton County as stated in the LCP Student Handbook and the Fulton County’s “Guidelines for Student Behavior.”

Homework: It is the policy of LCP to assign homework as a reinforcement of concepts learned in class; however, it is up to the discretion of the individual teacher as to whether it is assigned daily or over the weekend.

Scheduled Help Sessions: The teacher will be available by appointment to assist students who are experiencing difficulty. It is imperative, however, that students requiring assistance give the teacher 24-hour notice. Opportunity to accelerate can be requested prior to school and after school; however, if assistance is requested during after school hours, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation.

Teacher/Parent Communication: An open line of communication is encouraged between teachers and parents. Parental visits are encouraged; however, it is the policy of LCP that all visitors must report to the office before going to other parts of the building. A “Visitors Pass” will be issued as evidence that this procedure has been followed.

Absence/Make-Up Procedures: Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher(s) to request make-up work. Make-up work must be completed by the student within the time specified by the teacher. The student will given the same amount of time to make up the work as the student was absent unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon. The student will receive the actual grade on the make-up work if the absence was “excused.”

I hope this answers most of your questions about this class. Please feel free to drop a note, an e-mail, or call if you need to discuss anything throughout the school year. I am looking forward to a great year and am glad that you and your child will be a part of it.

Sincerely,

Mr. Harrison, 6th Grade Earth Science

This syllabus is a general outline of the course and is subject to modification.

Each student has been provided with a copy of this syllabus. The syllabus should be signed by a parent/guardian, shown to the teacher for verification, and retained in the student’s notebook.

2017-2018

6th Grade Earth Science

Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________ Date______________

Contact Number_______________________________________________________

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Student Name	Date

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Student Signature