1st Semester Accelerated and Gifted Earth Science Syllabus 6th Grade

2013-2014

1st 9 Weeks
Standards in italics are accelerated content (9th grade biology standards) taught in order to prepare students for the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) Biology in 9th grade Codes correlate to the GCPS Standards known as the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS). Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) correlations are marked.

Characteristics of Science (ALL YEAR)

Geology

16b - classify rocks by their formation (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) (GPS) 16b1 - explain the rock cycle 16b2 investigate the contributions of minerals to rock composition (GPS) 16b3 discuss the importance of mineral and rock resources to society Bio 10d - use a dichotomous key to classify a variety of living things

Paleontology

18 - describe Earth's geologic history 18a - interpret the geologic history of Earth based on the principles of uniformitarianism, superposition, and original horizontality 18a1 - apply the law of superposition to determine the relative age of rocks 18b - describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of Earth (GPS) 18b1 - describe the evidence used to provide historical background for the geologic time scale 18b3 - discuss Earths history and recognize that change occurs constantly and slowly over time Bio 10d - use a dichotomous key to classify a variety of living things Bio 12b) explain the history in terms of biodiversity, ancestry, and the rates of evolution (GPS) Bio 12c) explain how fossil and biochemical evidence support the theory (GPS) Bio 12d) relate natural selection to changes in species populations over time (GPS) Bio 9e) compare the advantages of sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction in different situations (GPS) Bio 10b) examine the evolutionary basis of modern classification systems (six-kingdom system) (GPS) Bio 10g) compare and contrast the presence, complexity, and organization of organisms to their structure and movement, their ability to reproduce, respond to stimuli, and survive. Ms. Ashley Shaver - 6th Grade Gifted Earth Science

Ecology

19 - compare various sources of energy and describe their uses and methods of conservation (GPS) 19a - explain the role of the sun as the major source of energy and its relationship to wind and water energy (GPS) 19b - identify renewable and nonrenewable resources (GPS) 19b1 - discuss how consumption of energy impacts the environment and society 19b2 discuss the importance of conserving energy 19c - describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil and air (GPS) Bio 11a) investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes (GPS) Bio 11c) relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems (GPS) Bio 11e) relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions (GPS) Bio 11f) relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions (GPS)

Plate Tectonics

2nd 9 Weeks

16c - describe the composition of soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material (GPS) 16 - investigate the composition and formation of Earth's surface (GPS, ITBS) 16a - compare and contrast Earths crust, mantle and core including temperature, density and composition (GPS)

Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

17 - describe processes that cause gradual changes in Earth's surface (GPS, ITBS) 17a - demonstrate how the deformation (e.g., tension, compression and shearing) of the Earths plates produces landforms 17b - recognize lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on the earths surface (GPS) 17b1 - demonstrate how convection currents within the earth produce movement 17b2 - describe the effects of plate movement on the lithosphere, including the ocean floor or under ocean basins 17b3 - explain the processes that produce volcanoes and earthquakes 17b4 - analyze the relationship between volcanoes and earthquakes 17c - explain the effects of physical processes (weathering, erosion and deposition) on geological features (GPS) 17d - discuss the effects of human activity on the erosion of the Earths surface (GPS)

Ms. Ashley Shaver - 6th Grade Gifted Earth Science

Required Daily Materials 2 compositions books (100 sewn in pages, college ruled if possible) o One is for daily use, another is reserved for Science Fair. Pencils Liquid glue (like Elmers or something similar NOT glue sticks) Scissors Colored pencils or crayons Class Expectations Each student is expected to follow team rules: 1. Be prompt-come to class on time and return all materials on time. 2. Be prepared- bring necessary materials daily (composition book, scissors, glue, pencil, colored pencils, homework) 3. Be on task 4. Be considerate 5. Be aware and follow school regulations 6. Work hard. Be nice. Your grade will be determined the following way: Summative Assessments (tests, projects, papers, etc.) Classroom Assignments (labs, quizzes, classwork, etc.) Midterm Exam Final Exam Grading Scale: 90-100 80-89 74-79 70-73 Below 70 A B C D U Conduct and Effort Grades are reported as: E = Excellent S = Satisfactory N = Needs to improve U = Unsatisfactory 45% 40% 5% 10%

Students in accelerated and/or gifted classes are expected to go above and beyond. Merely meeting the bare minimum standard is not equivalent to earning 100% on an assignment. Students are challenged to give every assignment the maximum amount of effort to truly earn top grades. Attendance is required to maintain good grades and to grasp the material that is being learned! Progress Reports Progress may be checked daily by logging on the parent portal. Please visit the Parent Center to sign up for your account if you dont have one. Make Up Procedures Students who are absent from school for excused reasons are allowed time to make up assignments. It is the responsibility of the student to check the I missed WHAT? board and crate for a list of assignments and any relevant handouts. Files are also posted on Ms. Shavers website: http://sciencepanda.weebly.com

Ms. Ashley Shaver - 6th Grade Gifted Earth Science

Academic Recovery Late work is not accepted. Occasionally, Ms. Shaver will provide replacement grades to help recover missing assignments, but the top grade earned on a replacement grade is a 75. Extra credit may occasionally be given, but will not be given at the end of the term, so students should take advantage of any opportunities presented to them. Students with regular attendance and visible effort will be successful and not require grade recovery. Morning tutoring is available every Wednesday at 8:15 unless otherwise noted. Please come to tutoring prepared with questions to best utilize our time together. Textbook Holt Science & Technology, Georgia, Earth Science students will be provided a digital copy for home. I will have a class set at school. Contacts The school phone number is 770-995-7133 or you may email by using Ashley_Shaver@gwinnett.k12.ga.us *The fastest, most efficient way to contact me is by email* I suggest students trade phone numbers and/or email addresses with another student to use as a study buddy in case of absence or questions on assignments outside of school hours. Find Ms. Shaver online! Class blog: http://sciencepanda.weebly.com I recommend parents visit this site AT LEAST twice a week and students more frequently. This website is your one-stop-shop for all things science related. All homework, assignments, and other news is posted here. Twitter: @weatherpanda Remind 101: send a text to (206)384-4066 with the message @msshaver to receive texts about homework! This is a free service and keeps your cell phone number (or email address) anonymous.

Ms. Ashley Shaver - 6th Grade Gifted Earth Science

(Please detach and return this page ONLY) I have read the 6TH grade Science Syllabus and I understand that I can access my students homework and project information via homeworknow.com or agenda book. I also understand that my child must maintain an organized science notebook. PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN: Parent Signature: ______________________________________________ Date _________ Student Signature: _____________________________________________ Date _________ Student Name (please print)______________________________________Date_________ Email address: ______________________________________________________________ NOTE: When sending email to your childs teacher, please list your students first initial and last name in the subject or reference area to expedite communication and response

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Ms. Ashley Shaver - 6th Grade Gifted Earth Science