Syllabus: 6th grade physical science Greg Boesel, Room 2411 greg.boesel@spps.org 651-293-8950 I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Physical Science 6 is a year long physical science course that covers basic middle school physics and chemistry concepts as well as the engineering design process and the nature of science. Students learn about the properties of matter, how materials and atoms interact in a physical change, types of energy, waves, light, forces and motion. Students use observations, laboratory investigations, and problem solving to analyze and understand the science of everyday physics and chemical phenomena. This laboratory course prepares students for Life Science 7 or Accelerated Science 7. II. UNITS OF STUDY MN STATE STANDARDS: The standards addressed in this course are the Minnesota Academic Science Standards for 7th grade. These standards and benchmarks are covered in the following units. Duration Unit of Study 1 week Rituals, routines, & Safety 5 weeks Engineering 12 weeks Matter & Energy 11 weeks Motion & Energy 6 weeks Waves & Energy MN State Standards 6.1.2.1.1 ; 6.1.2.1.2 ; 6.1.2.1.3 ; 6.1.2.1.4 ; 6.1.2.2.1 ; 6.1.3.1.1 ; 6.1.3.1.2 ; 6.1.3.4.1 6.1.3.4.2 6.2.1.1.1 ; 6.2.1.2.1 ; 6.2.1.2.2 ; 6.2.1.2.3 ; 6.2.2.1.1 ; 6.2.2.1.2 ; 6.2.2.2.1 ; 6.2.2.2.2 ; 6.2.2.2.3 ; 6.2.2.2.4 ; 6.2.3.2.1 ; 6.2.3.2.2 ; 6.2.3.2.3 6.2.3.1.3 ; 6.2.3.1.2 ; 6.2.3.1.1 III. GRADING: In order to promote mastery of the MN Science Standards and MYP criteria students will be receiving scores on daily work and summative assessments. Summative assessments make up 100% of each student’s final grade!! Daily work (formative assessments) are critical and provide students practice for the summative assessment. All assessments will be graded on a scale of 0-8. MYP level The school year at Highland Park Junior High is divided into four quarters with a mid-term progress report and a final grade report for each quarter. Student achievement on summative assessments will be based on the following MYP criteria: 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Percentage on an 8 point scale 100% 87% 75% 62% 50% 37% 25% 12% 0% Letter Grade Translation A B C D N MYP Criteria: (Criterion A) Knowledge and Understanding of Science- Students develop scientific knowledge (facts, ideas, concepts, processes, laws, principles, models and theories) and apply it to solve problems and express scientifically supported judgments. (Criterion B) Inquiring and Designing- Students design, analyze and perform scientific investigations. (Criterion C) Processing and Evaluating- Students collect, process and interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data, and explain conclusions that have been appropriately reached. (Criterion D) Reflecting on the impacts of science- Students gain global understanding of science by evaluating the implications of scientific developments and their applications to a specific problem or issue. IV. CONTENT-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES: This course uses inquiry activities in an experimental setting, with strong emphasis on the content and the process of science. Students will explore scientific concepts through group and individual work. Activities may include hands-on activities, modeling, projects, scientific investigations, real-world observations, data collection, data analysis and presentations. V. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: 1. Interactive Science (Forces & Energy; Intro to Chemistry; Sound & Light) Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2013 2. Discovery Education techbook. http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ VI. LAB FEE: A $10 lab fee (donation) is asked for to help cover the cost of making this materials intensive class as engaging as possible for all my students. THANK YOU!