Appendix 3.1a. Sample Sixth-Grade Syllabus
[Teacher name]
[Website: _________]
Objectives
 To stress the interconnections among the sciences, and the connections among science,
other disciplines, and contributions to ordinary living
 To combine content with process skills in an activity-oriented program
 To develop scientific literacy
 To provide practice using the scientific method of inquiry to gather information and solve
problems
Areas of Study
The scope and sequence of materials are based on district curriculum. Topics, approximately by
marking period, are as follows:
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Science concepts, nature of science, general skills
Introduction to living things, classification
Plants and animals
Ecosystems
Physical sciences—waves, light, and sound
Resources that will be used include the science textbook Prentice Hall Science Explorer, FOSS
(Full-Option Science System) kits, and teacher-generated materials.
Online Book Resource
There is a website available through the book publisher that allows for online access to our
textbook. The site provides additional student resources connected to the class materials. Please
take some time to go through these steps with your children.
[Include any directions for online access.]
Materials Needed Daily
 Three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper—one binder just for science or part of a larger
binder with a separate science section
 Set of five dividers for the science section of the binder
 Spiral notebook for daily journal (to be kept in class)
 Pencils with eraser (no pens for science work)
 Assignment book
Three-Ring Binder
All science work is to be kept in the three-ring binder. Students will be directed when to remove
old materials from their binder
 Section 1: Lab safety instructions, syllabus, and other general course directions. Material
is this section will be needed all year.
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Section 2: Homework, worksheets, and vocabulary
Section 3: Classwork, including notes, outlines, and lab reports
Section 4: Tests, quizzes, and other grades
Website: ____________
My website contains all daily journal entries, homework assignments, and other class
information. It also contains a number of links to science-related sites. Please visit and provide
feedback on the content and links.
Class Expectations and Rules
 Exercise respect, responsibility, and self-control.
 Be prepared every day and arrive on time.
 Have an open mind and a willingness to learn.
 Maintain a positive attitude and do your best.
 Follow all teacher and school rules—no gum chewing or food in class.
 Remember: Safety is always first!
Makeup Policy
 For brief absences, please see another student on the team. Pick a friend to be your
homework buddy and study partner for science.
 Students with a music lesson or other activities during science must first check in, turn in
homework, and find out what they will miss during class. The student must come to the
next class prepared.
 For other absences and illnesses, students are responsible for work assigned before their
absence on the day they return. For assignments given during the illness or absence,
please see the teacher to establish a due date for missing work. If a student misses a test
due to an absence, he or she should be ready for the test on the day he or she returns.
Grading Policy
 Completion of daily homework assignments: Homework will have a value of three
possible points unless otherwise noted. A student will earn the full three points for
homework that is complete and neat. Homework will be reviewed in class, and accuracy
will be the student’s responsibility. Points will be deducted for homework that is not in
the proper format (name, title, date), incomplete, or messy. Work that is unfinished or
turned in late (except for absences) will receive a zero. Daily homework will be less than
20% of the marking period grade.
 Time spent on homework should be 10–15 minutes per night. Please contact me if you
find homework is taking more time.
 Quizzes and tests: Quizzes will have a value of 20–50 points. Tests will usually have a
value of 100 points. Tests will be given on days 1 and 4. Quizzes may be given any time,
without notice
 Lab reports and class assignments will generally have a value of 20–50 points.
 Projects or reports will have a value of 100–200 points each. We will spend time in class
on these assignments, but some work will be required at home.
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“Ready to Learn” points that reflect class participation, behavior, and preparation are
worth 50 points each marking period.
Daily journal reviews (approximately two per marking period) will be worth 50 points
each.
Two or three newspaper or current events article reviews and summaries per marking
period will each be worth 25 points.
Late assignments will be penalized 1/2 grade for every day late.
Assignments not turned in (except for daily homework) will receive a maximum grade of
40% of the assignment value.
Makeup/Extra Help
Please schedule an appointment with me in room ___ for extra help. Every student should be
able to succeed in my class, so please ask for help if you need it.
I look forward to this year and have great expectations for the students in my class. Working
together, we can achieve success and have fun at the same time. Please contact me through email at ______ if you have any questions or concerns.
Note: Thank you to members of the NSTA Listserv for sharing their work.
Student and Parent Acknowledgement
Sixth-Grade Science
I have read and understand the course outline and expectations for Mr. ______’s 6th-grade
science class. Please include an e-mail address (neatly printed) for the student’s parents.
______________________________________
Student name (printed)
_____________________________
Student signature
_______________________________________
Parent name (printed)
______________________________
Parent signature
Period: ________________
__________________________________________
Parent e-mail address (Printed)
Anything you want me to be aware of about your child?
(Thank you to members of the NSTA Listserv for sharing their work.)