2012-2013
My name is Linda Palmquist and I’ll be your child’s Science teacher this year. This is my 25 th year at Anthony, my 27th year of teaching .
When I’m not teaching, I am kept busy with my 20 year old twins – Matthew and Kirstin. They are new to college life and they still keep me busy! During my rare spare time, my favorite place to go is my cabin in Aitkin, MN; when there, I enjoy reading, fishing, swimming skiing, tubing, boating, snowmobiling, hiking, crafting, thinking, the peace and quiet and most of all, family time.
I also supervise Anthony Student Council and the Anthony Ski/Snowboard Club.
As the year begins, I am looking forward to getting to know your child as “the scientist” and “the Student”.
I would like to invite you to be involved in your child’s learning during the school day. Come and observe or sign up to volunteer as a lab assistant.
This year our goal in the Science Department is to continue the process of aligning our curriculum with the MYP expectations.
We will also continue adjusting the curriculum to better support new standards and the MCA II Science test that your child will take in 8 th grade. Sixth grade will be focusing specifically on the process of inquiry in correlation with basic science skills. They will learn how to write a testable question and lab procedure with reflections. In addition, your children will learn to support their ideas with evidence. Most importantly, they will be making connection and applying their scientific learning to life. The overall curriculum will give them a taste of physical science, earth science and environmental/life science.
Finally, it is important to remember that Science encompasses all of the core subjects and we will focus on reading, writing and some basic math skills as we embrace the curriculum.
Below is a list of the units your child may experience in Science during his/her sixth grade year at Anthony. The course outline will provide you with more detail about each of these units.
Sixth Grade - Palmquist - “Observing Our World”
What Inquiring Minds Need to Know
 Inquiry Based Labs to support the culture of
the classroom
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Scientific Process
Observation/Inference
Data Collection/Organization
Metric Measurements and Conversions
Motion
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Newton’s Laws of Motion
Forces
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Direction
 Speed
 Acceleration
Rockets and Astronomy
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Mass, Volume, Area and Density
Engineering basics
Energy
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Types and Transformations
 Light Energy
 Sound Energy
Diversity of Life
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The sixth grade textbooks include:
Science Plus: Green Level published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Physics Supplemental Texts and Activities
Science Connections Workbook
Foss Science Kits
STC Science Curriculum
Globe – Life Science and Earth Science
Pearson/Prentice Hall – Physical Science
Assessment
Grade
Weight
Comp. Book ……………………………………….…………………………………..……………………
60%
Projects/Tests/ Quizzes / Assessment…………….…………..……………………....…………………
_20%
Planner/Participation/Effort…………………………..…………………………………………..……….
20%
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All daily assignments are to be done in pencil or a dark colored pen. (No Highlighters or light colored pens)
(All assignments must be legible)
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All students will be required to keep a 3 ring binder with the current unit readings and glossary.
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All students will be required to keep a Science Notebook (composition book) that will be checked weekly. This will be set up in class during the first two weeks of school. All notes, terms, reading assignments labs and some projects are to be written in this notebook. Approximately every quarter students will need a new Science notebook.
Comp. Books and separate assignments are to be turned in by the end of the hour every Friday or the last day of the week.
Students will put them in their class basket as they leave the room.
3 Ring binders are considered the students Science text book and will not be turned in but should be coming home every night that the student has science homework and should come to class every day along with the student’s composition/spiral notebook.
Assignments that are turned in late go down 1 complete grade. Assignments that are not turned in become a permanent “0” one week before the quarter marking period ends. Make up assignments cannot be done after quarter end.
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Comp. books that are turned in late loose 10 points for the week in the participation/effort category of grading – this 10 points cannot be made up.
If a student is in class, he/she is expected to do the lab – no make-ups will be given for a student who chooses not to do the lab during class time.
***Copying, Cheating and Plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment. All students involved will receive a permanent zero. Helping friends to understand an assignment is okay. Giving friends your assignment to copy is not.
Students are expected to write daily assignments/ activities in their student planner. These are not written in stone and do change according to unscheduled events that occur and cause us to loose classroom time.
Students
will have some homework but not an over abundance.
As we near the end of some units, students will be assigned an assessment project or be given a test in order to assess the knowledge they have gained from the unit. Parents are encouraged to be involved with these projects and to help students study but not encouraged to do the projects for the student. (Helpful Hints, Proof -reading, quizzing students, reviewing assignments, checking the website and reviewing power point notes, etc.)
At the end of each semester students will take a semester final that will reflect what they have learned. A study guide will be given to the students one week before the test. The test will be open note, but they will not be able to use their books or other student’s notes so it is important for all students to save all of their work and to complete the study guide before they take the test.
Excused Students will receive one week to make up missed work.
Students will receive approximately one week to make up the Lab activity that is missed. Note: The student is
responsible for setting up a time to make up the lab with the teacher or an alternative one page report on the
activity will be assigned if the lab is already broken down.
Unexcused - Students will be expected to complete work by the assigned due date.
Students with unexcused absences will not be able to make up labs/ or videos and will receive a zero for that
particular assignment.
Vacations – more than 5 vacation days in the year is considered unexcused – Labs cannot be made up.
Ready
Responsibility
Respect
1.
Cooperate with your teacher and classmates
2.
Respect the rights and property of others
3.
Carry out your basic student responsibilities
4.
Use respectful words and tone at all times
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1.
Attend class every day on time, this means in your seat and ready to learn when the second tardy bell rings.
2.
Think and Reflect! Reflect about what you know and how it relates to what you’re learning.
3.
Keep track of your Science composition book and bring it to class daily.
4.
Listen to your peers and raise your hand to speak.
5.
Follow instructions and attempt work before asking for help.
6.
Take responsibility for learning and classroom routines.
7.
Take responsibility for organizing your time and work.
8.
Turn in work on time (Composition books DUE EVERY Friday).
1.
Get started right away. When you enter the room, materials you’ll need from me are by the door. Pick up as you enter, make sure you have materials ready at desk. When the bell rings you should be in your seat and have all of your materials at your desk.
2.
Quick Writes/ Bell Work. These are an individual activity such as writing prompt, observation activity or visualization task.
Daily Work. This is usually a small group activity such as group problem solving, reading, discussion or lab. Closure.
Usually a whole-class discussion or instructions.
3.
Homework. Designed to give you practice on something we’ve learned. Or a to get prior knowledge for a topic we are about to complete.
4.
Re-grade work you don’t understand. We all learn by correcting our mistakes. Try to UNDERSTAND. Show me that you corrected your work, and I will re-grade the assignment.
Opportunities for extra help. I have after school Science on Monday after school. During the after school program, there are also buses available. If Monday does not work, then you need to schedule a time with me!
Students will follow the school set goals and expectations as stated in the student planner as well as the team expectations.
Students will also follow the classroom/laboratory expectations. (These have been reviewed in class by the teacher
– both parent and student must sign off on the lab expectations in order for a student to participate in laboratory activities – See below for a copy)
Students are responsible for their own work. Many activities we do are done with a partners or small groups, however, it is up to each individual to make sure assignments are done to the best of their ability and handed in on time.
Students learn in many different styles. Science acknowledges those styles and tries to provide and accommodate for individual needs. Our goal is to help students learn at their highest potential. We put a strong emphasis on classroom cooperation and try to build upon student’s academic/social strength and weaknesses, in hopes that students will become responsible for their own learning.
A.
B.
3 Ring Binder
C.
3 ring Index Dividers
D.
Pen or Pencil everyday
E.
8 Glue Sticks
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Anthony has a no pass policy. However, emergencies do occur
In Science, students are only allowed 3 passes per quarter. These passes can be used if the student and has passes remaining. If a student has used all his/her passes, the student cannot leave the classroom. Exceptions would be and emergency and /or needing to go to the Nurse. The passes can be used for: bathroom, locker and/or to see a
teacher
In Science, you are on time if you are in your seat with your materials when the second tardy bell rings.
Per the Anthony School wide policy, 3 or more tardies in Science per quarter equals an after school detention.
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Finally, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call or e-mail! (E-mail is the fastest way to contact me.)
Linda A. Palmquist
 002B
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Voicemail – Palmquist- 668-3240 Ext 989812
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Palmquist - Email – lpalmy@yahoo.com (use this one for a faster response)
linda.palmquist@mpls.k12-mn.us
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Palmquist Website - http://TeacherWeb.com/MN/AnthonyMiddleSchool/Palmquist/
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Underline and initial each I will statements for credit. Students will not be able to participate in laboratory activities or enter the lab area of the classroom with out this form signed by both the student and parent/guardian.
1. Horseplay in the science classroom is dangerous. I will practice safe conduct in the classroom. ______
2. Written and verbal instructions concerning procedures and precautions are created for everyone's safety. I will
follow all written and verbal instructions. ________
3. Experiments done in class are planned in order to teach an idea.
I will perform only authorized experiments. _______
4. Tasting, smelling, or mixing unknown substances can be very dangerous. I will not do so unless the teacher has
given approval. ________
5. Chemicals are labeled to identify them. I will always carefully read the label to be sure I am using the correct
substance. _________
6. If I spill a chemical I will notify the instructor before cleaning it up. _________
7. For your safety and the safety of your classmates it is important to keep your lab station clean and free of
unneeded materials. I will keep my lab station clean and neat at all times. __________
8. I will push in my chair and keep the aisles clear at all times.__________
9. Fire is dangerous and care must be taken when working with it. I will not reach across a flame or bring a
flammable substance near flames. I will confine long hair behind my head. I will know where fire extinguishers
are located and how to use them. _________
10. Heating a substance is dangerous. I will follow all verbal and written instructions. I will not look directly into a
substance that is being heated. I will use tongs or other safety equipment when handling glassware or
substances that have been heated. I will never place hot apparatus on a laboratory desk. (This includes heat
lamps.) ______
11. Safety equipment is provided in the science classroom. I know how and when to use this equipment. I will wear
safety goggles and or other safety apparel. ___________
12. Broken glass is dangerous. Leaving it lay around or picking it up with bare hands can cause serious injury. If I
see broken glass or break a glass piece of equipment I will notify the teacher before cleaning it up. __________
13. If an incident should occur that results in injury to others or myself in the science classroom, I will notify the
instructor immediately. __________
14. I will not eat or drink in the classroom. Water is acceptable but will not be allowed in the lab area of the
classroom. __________
15. Equipment is expensive. However, we must have it in order to set up laboratory experiments. Accidents do
happen, but most often equipment is damaged/broken due to horseplay. I will follow the verbal and or written
instructions for handling and use of equipment. If I choose to horseplay and/or misuse equipment and it
becomes damaged/broken, I will notify the instructor and I will be responsible for replacing (paying for) the
equipment I broke. ____________
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We have read and understand the Anthony Science Syllabus and Expectations.
As a student I agree to follow the preceding guidelines and all other instructions given in class. I understand that if
I do not follow the Science Expectations I will be removed from the lab and receive a permanent “0” on the lab. I also understand that my parent/guardian will be contacted.
___________________________ __________________________________ _______________ __________
Student Name (Print) Student Signature Class Hour Date
As a parent/guardian, I support and agree to encourage my child to follow the Anthony Science Expectations.
___________________________________ ___________________________________ __________
Parent/ Guardian Name (Print) Parent/ Guardian Signature Date
Parent/ Guardian Daytime Phone # ___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Evening Phone #_____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian E-Mail ______________________________________________________________________
(Please Print Clearly)
(E-mails will be sent regarding upcoming assignments/ sixth grade events/ and homework… if you are on the
Anthony e-mail list an e-mail will automatically be sent to you. If you do not want this information please respond to the first weekly e-mail and let me know that you would like to be taken off the list. You will also be able to check my Teacher Web page at http://teacherweb.com/MN/AnthonyMiddleSchool/LindaPalmquist/ for assignments and updates/announcements. )
Please list any allergies and/or special circumstance that your instructor should be aware of.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The first 2 pages of this form will be returned to the student and they are expected to keep it in the front of their green science binder along with their individual goals/expectations for reference. The instructor will keep the parent/student signature sheet (this page) on file for the year.
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