5th Grade Science Syllabus
Mrs. Lewis
2014-2015 School Year
Room: 503
Planning: 1:50-2:50
Email:
School website:
Webpage:
General Information: Fifth grade science is divided into seven categories. The strands that are addressed are: Nature of Science, Science as Inquiry, Science and Technology, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives.
The following are the competency goals that will be learned:
Force and Motion:
5. P.1 Understand force, motion and the relationship between them.
5. P.1.1 Explain how factors such as gravity, friction, and change in mass affect the motion of objects.
5. P.1.2 Infer the motion of objects in terms of how far they travel in a certain amount of time and the direction in which they travel.
5. P.1.3 Illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
5. P.1.4 Predict the effect of a given force or a change in mass on the motion of an object.
Matter: Properties and Change
5. P.2 Understand the interactions of matter and energy and the changes that occur.
5. P.2.1 Explain how the sun’s energy impacts the processes of the water cycle (including, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation and runoff).
5. P.2.2 Compare the weight of an object to the sum of the weight of its parts before and after an interaction.
5. P.2.3 Summarize properties of original materials, and the new material(s) formed, to demonstrate that a change has occurred.
Energy: Conservation and Transfer
5. P.3 Explain how the properties of some materials change as a result of heating and cooling.
5. P.3.1 Explain the effects of the transfer of heat (either by direct contact or at a distance) that occurs between objects at different temperatures. (Conduction, convection or radiation).
5. P.3.2 Explain how heating and cooling affect some materials and how this relates to their purpose and practical applications.
Earth Systems, Structures and Processes
5. E.1 Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.
5. E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.
5. E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation and measurements.
5.E.1.3 Explain how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
Structures and Functions of Living Organisms
5. L.1.1 Explain why some organisms are capable of surviving as a single cell while others require many cells that are specialized to survive.
5. L.1.2 Compare the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular) in terms of their functions necessary for life.
Ecosystems
5. L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.
5.L.2.1 Compare the characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds,forests, and grasslands.
5. L.2.2 Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).
5. L.2.3 Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.
Evolution and Genetics
5. L.3 Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism.
5. L.3.1 Explain why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism.
5. L.3.2 Give examples of likenesses that are inherited and some that are not.
Expectations:
I respect each and every student and I expect the same in return. I expect each and every student to do their best and try hard to learn the material needed to excel in 5th grade science.
Organization:
Class will begin with a “Bellringer” every day. Bellringers always consist of important information that has been previously covered in class. There will be 5-10 minutes to complete the bellringer after the tardy bell rings. In order to conserve paper, these should be completed on one sheet of paper. Additional paper may be used if more space is needed. These are for a grade, so it is important to make sure you have all materials ready as soon as the tardy bell rings. They will be graded on Fridays.
Several teaching approaches are modeled. Students will view videos, complete online science activities, complete in-class experiments and activities, play science games, and complete at-home projects. At-home projects may also include extra-credit opportunities so that students may replace a quiz grade for the specific material being covered at that time.
We will also work on test taking strategies, answering open response questions, and critical thinking strategies.
Depending on the learning strategy, we will work independently, in pairs,in groups, or ina whole group setting.
Class will always end with a review of the given lesson that particular day. This review will help students to prepare for the bellringerthe following day.
**Notebook checks will be random—Students need to keep up with notes and hand-outs that are needed for studying purposes.
Homework:
All homework assignments will be posted on the board on Mondays as well as my webpage each week. Students may take advantage of this by completing homework assignments before they are due. Students are to turn in homework assignments when they are due—not before.
Absences:
If class is missed, the student may make up any missed assignments. It is up to the STUDENT to get the missed assignments. All missed assignments and hand-outs are kept in a folder, posted on the blackboard and should be asked forin order to receive those assignments. If the student fails to complete a missed assignment they will receive a 0 for that assignment. Students have up to 1 week to complete missing assignments. Depending on the situation, missing assignments may be excused. Quizzes, tests or projects will not be excused; class work, journal work and “pop” quizzes will be the only excused assignments.
Grading:
Various projects will be assigned throughout the school year and will count as two test grades. An incomplete project will cause the students grade to drop significantly. If some resources are not available at home, the student may have time during class, when available, to obtain information needed. With large projects, students will have advance notice and plenty of time to complete the project. Students that are unable to complete the projects may be given opportunities to complete extra credit projects.
Grading percentages are based on the following:
Homework 10%A= 100-93
Classwork 35% B= 92-85
Tests 35% C= 84-77
Quiz 20% D= 76-70
F= Below 70
Journals = Classwork
Projects = 2 test grades
Notebook/Folder checks = Quiz
Rules/Consequences:
There is a school wide discipline plan. There is a procedure to follow when there is a disruptive/undesirable behavior. Being respectful of all administration, teachers, assistants, janitors and peers is demanded at all times.
All rules and consequences will remain in effect all year. A copy of the rules has been sent home and should be/has been returned to the student’s homeroom teacher signed by both student and parent/guardian.
Incentives:
Class-wide rewards such as using notes or a hand-out on a quiz/test for a few minutes, individual rewards such as homework passes or + (add) 5 – 10 points on a quiz/test, or a classroom privilege such as the “teachers helper” for a day will be given to students as they earn them.
My webpage is a source for you to keep up with all homework assignments,most notes and classroom information that is needed to keep up with what is going on in 5th grade science.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tammy T. Lewis