ABC Middle School



6th Grade Earth Science – 1st semester

Henderson Middle School

2830 Henderson Mill Road

Chamblee, Georgia 30341

6th Grade Earth Science – Ms. Tracy L. Tucker

Contact Information Weighted averages

Tracy_L_Tucker@ Class Work & Homework 45%

Quizzes & Projects 25% Summative Assessments 30%

678-874-2999 (Teacher Voicemail)

678-874-2900 (School Information)

Course Description / Course Code

This course is designed to teach students various skills exemplifying the many forms/skills of a scientist, including but not limited to, developing good characteristics of science, processing skills, and understanding and applying the nature of science. Students will also focus on multiple concepts of Earth Science. First semester includes studies in the many areas of astronomy and geology. Students will also develop their reading skills by reading in the content area.

Textbook / Publisher/ Cost

Holt Science and Technology; Earth Science, 2008 (ISBN-13: 97-0-03-092031-8) and a workbook. Students are responsible for the textbook assigned to them and must cover their book with a cloth bookcover. Books were issued in good condition. A fee of $25 is charged for damaged text. This includes but is not limited to torn pages, damaged covers (especially corners), and writing in text. If the textbook is lost the student/parent will be charged the replacement cost of the text, approximately $60. Students will also receive a consumable workbook; these are $10 to replace if lost or the pages may be found and printed from the online version of the text. The textbook is available online at

Outline of Course Grading Scale

|100-90 |A |

|89- 80 |B |

|79-71 |C |

|70 |D |

|69 and below |F |

|weeks* |chapters** |Topic |

|1st six weeks |18- section 1 |Astronomy- S6E1, and S6E2 a and b |

|8/12-9/20 |19- sections 3 & 4 | |

| |20- section 4 | |

| |21- all | |

|2nd six weeks |3- section 1& 2 |Geology- Rocks & Minerals/ |

|9/23-11/4 |4-section 1-4 |Layers of the Earth - S6E5 a-e |

| |7- section 1 & 2 | |

| |8- section 1 | |

| |9- section 1 & 3 | |

| |10- section 1 | |

|3rd six weeks |6 section 1, parts of |Geology- Physical Processes/Conservation |

|11/8-12/20 |chapters 8 -12 |-S6E5 f-j |

*Pacing may vary depending on the individual teacher and students’ progression.

** Parts of chapters may be excluded due to their correlation to the standards.

Description of Standards

Georgia Performance Standards for 6th grade science will be taught during this course.

S6E1: EXPLORE CURRENT SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE AND HOW THOSE VIEWS EVOLVED.

a. Relate the Nature of Science to the progression of basic historical scientific theories (geocentric and heliocentric) as they describe our solar system and the Big Bang as it describes the formation of the universe.

b. Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.

c. Compare and contrast the planets…

d. Explain the motion of objects in the day/night sky in terms of relative position.

e. Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion in the solar system.

f. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.

S6E2. UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE EARTH, MOON, AND SUN.

a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun.

b. Explain the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun during solar and lunar eclipses.

S6E5. INVESTIGATE THE SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF HOW THE EARTH’S SURFACE IS FORMED.

a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s layers including temperature, density, & composition.

b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.

c. Classify rocks by their process of formation.

d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.

e. Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on the earth’s surface.

f. Explain the effects of physical processes on geological features including oceans.

g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.

h. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material.

i. Explain the effects of human activity on the erosion of the earth’s surface.

j. Describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil, and air.

Standards addressing the characteristics and habits of science will also be taught on an ongoing basis throughout the semester.

Please refer to the Georgia Performance Standards for detailed listings of standards. ()

Policies / Regulations

• Tardies- students are expected to be in class on time with all required materials every day. The school tardy policy will be enforced.

• Supplies- students are expected to bring paper, book, notes, a working writing tool, colored pencils, and sharpener to class everyday. They should NOT have to borrow supplies.

• Homework- Homework is expected to be completed as assigned. Homework can often be found on the website.

• Late work- It is the policy of the DeKalb County School System that students will receive a grade of zero for any missing assignments, until student work is completed. Student work must be completed within the 4.5 week grading period. Points will be deducted from the grade for any assignment that is late. The maximum point allotment will be 80%.

• Make-up work- Announced work, such as homework, quizzes and major assessments are due the day the student returns. For each day’s excused absence, students will have one day to make up missed work. If a student is absent under extenuating circumstances, special arrangements can be made to make up work. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE CALENDAR AND/OR REQUEST MISSED WORK.

• Academic honesty- Receiving or giving information for an assignment is cheating and when caught in the act students will not receive credit nor receive the opportunity for a chance of make-up. Plagiarism is not acceptable: If a student takes information from the Internet or any printed resources without a citation, it is considered plagiarism and will result in a reduction in grade.

• Nameless papers- papers turned in without a name will be thrown out. Students will need to do the assignment over resulting in a late grade.

• Safety Net Opportunities- Any opportunity afforded to students to ensure mastery of required standards. Suggested safety nets may include but are not limited to: before and after school tutorial, Lunch Café, special projects, teacher tutorials, and technology based projects, research and other extended learning opportunities.

• Failed work- students may redo any assignment with teacher permission that they earn a 50 or below on in order to bring that grade up to passing. The highest grade given for work that is done over will be 80.

• Lab work-Students who fail to follow lab safety protocols will be removed from the current lab and possible future labs depending on the offense and given an alternative assignment to be completed and grades.

Students must adhere to the DCSS Student Code of Conduct, as well as specific class rules established and reviewed by each teacher individually.

Websites: Please check my website weekly for homework, important dates, required projects and other special assignments, and helpful websites and other resources.

Class website:

School website: dekalb.k12.ga.us/~henderson

County website: dekalb.k12.ga.us

*The teacher reserves the right to adjust the course work and/or differentiate instruction as needed to meet the needs of students and ensure academic success.

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